On thursday morning, 6 december 1917, she entered halifax harbour in nova scotia, canada laden with a full cargo of highly volatile explosives. Nov 07, 2017 a history of the destruction of a canadian city by an explosion as powerful as a nuclear weapon. Century after halifaxs great explosion, city marks. Century after halifaxs great explosion, city marks anniversary. The lithographs that escaped the halifax explosion.
A week later, on december 6, 1917, a french cargo ship heavily laden with explosives collided with a norwegian ship in a strait off the coast of halifax. The halifax explosion of 1917 canada history and mysteries. In 1917, the port of halifax, nova scotia, was crowded with ships leaving for war torn. Oct 30, 2017 heres the christmas tree nova scotia is giving boston for the 100th anniversary of the halifax explosion. It had been sent to halifax by the british, because it was too slow for the american convoys. Mackeys involvement with the blast that killed almost 2000, severely wounding another 9000. Oct 08, 2017 after being struck in the harbour by a northwegian ship, the imo, mont blanc drifted on fire to a pier in north end halifax, where it was blown to smithereens. The halifax explosion is regarded an unparalleled chapter in the history of maritime disasters. Dec 02, 2017 new books remember the great halifax explosion. Monctons help after halifax explosion subject of new. We aim to create a safe and valuable space for discussion and debate. The blast ripped through her hull and cargo at more than 1,000 metres per second. If you have a question about a communityrun event, please contact the event organizer directly.
A norwegian relief ship named imo was just as eager to go in the opposite direction to new york to get supplies. Halifax explosion of december 6, 1917 geni family tree. Imo in the harbour, views of streets with razed and ruined houses, the fallen roof of the railroad station, and damaged buildings and churches. Nov 21, 2017 this is the unforgettable story told in john u. A fire on board the french ship ignited her cargo, causing a large explosion that devastated the. Dec 05, 2017 december 6, 2017, marks the 100 anniversary of the halifax explosion. On the 100th anniversary of the halifax explosion, two new books. Vessels were loading cargo, awaiting convoys, or under repair. Images include people searching for victims amongst wreckage, the s. Chaos and confusion reigned that day in halifax and dartmouth but what followed was a massive relief effort involving charitable assistance from all over the globeespecially massachusetts. A moving exhibit on the explosion, halifax wrecked, can be seen at the maritime museum of the atlantic, lower water street. By noon on wednesday it had cleared inspection and customs and had its pilot on board. Findlay, georgina 48 veith street, halifax, nova scotia 38 19171206 findlay, earle 48 veith street, halifax, nova scotia 16 19171206 findlay, cecil.
Excellent and detailed account of the halifax explosion and highlights many of the lives of some citizens there. The halifax explosion and the persecution of pilot francis mackey, hopes to change the discussion surrounding mr. The resulting blast, known as the halifax explosion, devastated adjacent communities and led to two thousand deaths and more than nine thousand wounded. On december 6, 1917, the french munitions ship montblanc and the. File consists of a series of postcards showing the aftermath of the great halifax explosion, each numbered and captioned. The place where the anchor shank came to rest on the morning of december 6, 1917. The halifax explosion was a maritime disaster in halifax, nova scotia, canada, on the morning of 6 december 1917.
Gaskins grandfather worked for the railway in moncton as a sign painter and was helping to refurbish boxcars damaged in the explosion and sent to moncton for repairs. The halifax explosion of 1945 canada history and mysteries. Ships of the halifax explosion maritime museum of the. Desertion and the north american squadron of the royal navy, 17451812. African nova scotian stories of the 1917 halifax explosion. At halifax harbours narrowest stretch, the impatient imo passed several ships on. Her articles on gardening, travel, and the arts have appeared in a variety of publications. Author hopes to change narrative on the halifax explosion. This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and if not signed in for advertising. Montblanc was completely destroyed and scattered by the explosion. A history of the destruction of a canadian city by an explosion as powerful as a nuclear weapon. Maybee is confident that mackey did everything in his power to avoid the accident that day, but explains that spin is. At the same time, a ship called the imo was leaving the harbor, heading south. While most canadians returned home following ve day, people and.
Kitz 4 times halifax explosion by graham metson 3 times too many to mourn by james mahar 3 times burden of desire harvest book by robert macneil 3 times. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Arriving late at the harbor, the ship needed to stay the night outside the protected area. There were many other vessels in harbour which are not listed as they were not heavily damaged or directly. Buy the paperback book the halifax explosion and the royal canadian navy. The halifax explosion still reverberates the globe and mail. This resource is presented as originally published. The halifax explosion and the persecution of pilot francis mackey by janet maybee at indigo. Ss mont blanc, a french cargo ship laden with high explosives, collided with the norwegian vessel ss imo in the narrows, a strait connecting the upper halifax harbour to bedford basin. The halifax explosion and the road to recovery by janet f. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders.
A world war i story of treachery, tragedy, and extraordinary heroism. Heres the christmas tree nova scotia is giving boston for. The ss mont blanc on december 5th, 1917, the ss mont blanc arrived in the halifax port after its voyage from france. Bacon wrote a book about what happened when crews filled a ship called the montblanc with high explosives. The halifax explosion has been called the second most devastating blast in history behind hiroshima. Dec 06, 2017 100 years ago today the halifax explosion nearly destroyed halifax, nova scotia, canada dick eastman december 6, 2017 history 2 comments on the morning of 6 december 1917, the ss montblanc, a french cargo ship laden with high explosives left the dock in halifax, nova scotia, and headed for bordeaux, france. The accidental collision of a munitions ship with another vessel in halifax harbour in 1917 was the largest manmade explosion prior to hiroshima.
This nonfiction is an account of a tragedy which occurred in halifax, canada, at the end of the fourth year of the great war. He steered mont blanc to port and let the ship stop macdonald, pp. Dec 06, 2017 on the bright, freezing morning of dec. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and globe staff. Kitz 4 times halifax explosion by graham metson 3 times too many to mourn by james mahar 3 times burden. She arrived from the new york harbor too late on december 5 to enter the harbor that day.
The maritime aspects of the 1917 halifax explosion joseph scanlon the 1917 halifax explosion is usually thought of as an event that devastated the cities of halifax and dartmouth. It is true that most of the 1963 dead and 9000 injured were civilians. A fire on board the french ship ignited her cargo, causing a massive explosion that. A cargo ship accident that occurred between a french ship carrying explosives and a norwegian vessel carrying provisions for wartime relieving provisions, the halifax disaster in 1917 happened just towards the fagend of the first world war. Ss montblanc, a french cargo ship laden with high explosives, collided with the norwegian vessel ss imo in the narrows, a strait connecting the upper halifax harbour to bedford basin. In 1917 nova scotia saw the largest pre atomic man made explosion. In 1917, the thriving seaport of halifax, nova scotia, was leveled by a munitions explosion of unprecedented force when two ships collided in the citys harbor. The forgotten disaster that inspired nova scotias yearly. Surviving the blast that shook a nation was published by altitude in 2003.
Dec 06, 2017 century after halifaxs great explosion, city marks anniversary. Heres the christmas tree nova scotia is giving boston for the 100th anniversary of the halifax explosion. The halifax explosion was a disaster that occurred in halifax, nova scotia, canada, on the morning of 6 december 1917. Halifax harbour was crowded with wartime shipping on december 6, 1917. Halifax explosion books tagged halifax explosion librarything. Mont blanc blew up to cause the halifax explosion, this shank of the anchor of the mont blanc flew 2.
New books remember the great halifax explosion the star. In 1917, the port of halifax, nova scotia, was crowded with ships leaving for wartorn. One ship which arrived to the halifax harbor was the mont blanc. Six million pounds of explosives detonated after the munitions ship montblanc collided with another vessel in halifax harbour. In the early evening the harbourmaster raised a large chain across the mouth of the harbor to keep out uboats. A fire on board the french ship ignited her cargo, causing a massive explosion that devastated the richmond district of halifax. Explosion in halifax harbour, 1917 includes a detailed account of the event, chronicling many remarkable human tragedies, rescue and relief efforts. Stern of montblanc before the explosion during a prewar visit to halifax, aug. Stern of mont blanc before the explosion during a prewar visit to halifax, aug. Janet maybees ma66 recently published book, aftershock. Ablaze, and with explosions on her deck filling the sky, the mont blanc. A brief history of the halifax explosion december 6, 1917. Please note that this list includes both governmentrun events and communityrun events.
Franceamerique line, out of marseilles, which had arrived from gravesend bay, new york. This list includes the major vessels involved or affected in the explosion. Maritime aspects of the 1917 halifax explosion ships involved 41 imo, the norwegian ship involved in the collision, arrived on monday, 3 december. When the french munitions ship montblanc and the belgian relief vessel imo collided, the explosion didnt happen immediately. Nov 30, 2017 welcome to the globe and mails comment community.
Most people believe that world war ii ended with v day on 8th may 1945, but the reality was that, after the resolution in europe, war continued in the pacific. All caused by the ss imo and ss mont blonc bumping into each other in halifax harbour. Gary gaskin heard about the new exhibit and wanted to share his familys connection to the halifax explosion. December 6, 2017, marks the 100 anniversary of the halifax explosion. The maritime museum of the atlantic will commemorate the 98th anniversary of the halifax explosion with special events on sunday, december 6. Dec 12, 2019 the halifax explosion is regarded an unparalleled chapter in the history of maritime disasters. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy, and extraordinary heroism bacon, john u. Auxiliary patrol ship acting as bedford basin guard ship. On wednesday, december 6, 2017 we will commemorate 100 years since the halifax explosion. New book details 1917 halifax, nova scotia, explosion. Marys and dalhousie, the halifax citadel, among many other sites. On that thursday the norwegian vessel ss imo, carrying belgian relief supplies, and the french freighter ss mont blanc, carrying munitions.
New book details the halifax, nova scotia, explosion of 1917. While the halifax explosion of 1917 was a calamity, it was not the only major wartime explosion suffered by the locals. Inquiry and intrigue by john griffith armstrong at indigo. The mont blanc was a french munitions ship owned by cie. Collison of 2 ships ignited 3,000 tons of explosives that left 2,000 dead and 25,000 citizens homeless. Mont blanc and imo and the halifax explosion of 1917.
The imo was a relief ship going to new york to pick up supplies like food and clothing, which it would then deliver to europe. On december 6, 1917, the french munitions ship mont blanc and the norwegian warrelief vessel imo collided in the harbour at halifax, nova scotia. After being struck in the harbour by a northwegian ship, the imo, montblanc drifted on fire to a pier in north end halifax, where it was blown to smithereens. Cbc news interactives has recreated the city of halifax as it existed in 1917 to show how the halifax explosion unfolded and its effects on the people who lived there. Explosion in halifax harbour, 1917 nimbus publishing and. That accident sparked a fire and an apocalyptic explosion that was the largest manmade blast prior to the 1945 dropping of the atomic bomb on hiroshima. The content may no longer reflect the current state of knowledge on the topic documented. The great halifax explosion sheds new light on this sad but fascinating event. The ship was vaporized instantly, a huge area of halifax was destroyed, and an enormous debris cloud rose over the city. Bob and marion campbell, who donated this years tree for boston, tie markers onto the. The halifax explosion was the deadliest disaster in canadian history.
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