This year for my heritage fair project, i decided to research the halifax explosion. Additional resources to learn more about the halifax explosion. Online books canadian heritage coupons and travel info. Was the explosion a disaster triggered by simple human error. Halifax was devastated on 6 december 1917 when two ships collided in the citys harbour, one of them a munitions ship loaded with explosives bound for the battlefields of the first world war. Dec 06, 2017 the plaque was unveiled during the 100th anniversary halifax explosion memorial service organized by the city of halifax. December 6, 1917 saw one of the greatest disasters in canadian history, when the ss montblanc, a french cargo ship carrying 3,000 tons of ammunition, collided with the ss imo, a. This was the first book i read in these series and i was working on the halifax explosion for my heritage fair project. This one is actually quite sad and im glad that they created this commercial, as it highlights and important moment in canadian history that most people in canada werent aware of. For those who dont know, the halifax explosion was the largest explosion in the world until the atomic bombs were detonated over hiroshima and nagasaki. This canadian history for kids, sketches of our canada, looks at the devastation created by the halifax explosion of december 6, 1917. New books remember the great halifax explosion the star. A list of those that died the database now contains 1,782 names.
The halifax explosion was the biggest canadian tragedy in terms of life loss and despair. A newly discovered diary tells the harrowing story of the deadly. On the morning of december 6, 1917, two ships, the imo and the montblanc, collided in the narrows of halifax harbour. Michael dupuis has written a number of other books and articles. A goodreads search for halifax explosion returns more than 40 titles. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Nova scotia archives and records management halifax explosion 1917 online resources. Jul 04, 2011 the halifax explosion july 4, 2011 admin the morning of december 6, 1917 began as most mornings in the city of halifax, nova scotiawives kissed their husbands goodbye, mothers sent their children off to school, and the harbourfront, which served as a major hub during wwi was bustling with activity, both mercantile and military. Dec 07, 2014 the halifax explosion december 7, 2014 july 20, 2015 snapshots of canadas past. No safe harbour is so amazing, it has turned into one of my fave books. Jan 17, 2019 guides to records about the halifax explosion. On 6 december 1917, the mont blanc, a french vessel loaded with 2. The government of canada is committed to connecting canadians to the significant people, places, and events that contributed to our countrys rich diverse heritage. See more ideas about halifax explosion, halifax harbour and nova scotia.
A moving exhibit on the explosion, halifax wrecked, can be seen at the maritime museum of the atlantic, lower water street. Now, it has been included in an exhibit on the explosions centennial at the dartmouth heritage museum, across the harbor from halifax. Rebeccathis project traces the history of the halifax explosion in 1919 and how it affected the city and canada at the beginning of the 20th century. Halifax, canada, halifax explosion remembrance book, 19171918. Ships of the halifax explosion maritime museum of the. This canadian history for kids, sketches of our canada, looks at the devastation created by the halifax explosion of december 6, 1917 on december 6, 1917, as world war i continued in europe, ships carrying troops, supplies and munitions filled the harbour of the port city of halifax, nova scotia. On december 1917 one of the most horrific disasters in canadian history took place when the french munitions ship, the mont blanc, coll. Selected vessels have links to images and more information. On december 6, 1917, the french munitions ship mont blanc and the norwegian warrelief vessel imo collided in the harbour at halifax, nova scotia. But tragedy on a massive scale happened on canadian shores on december 6, 1917 when the french cargo ship, the ss mont blanc, and the norwegian ss imo. The halifax explosion is a fresh, revealing account that finally answers questions that have lingered for a century. The halifax explosion of 1917 canada history and mysteries. The halifax explosion of 1917 the canadian encyclopedia. Victoria author tells story of halifax explosion through journalists.
After decades of hard economic times, the city was a hub of canadas war effort. An entire neighbourhood was destroyed, thousands killed and injured, thousands more left homeless. The following lists include the major vessels involved or affected in the explosion. The first world war had been underway for three years, exposing canadian servicemen to injury, death and hardship, but bringing prosperity to halifax.
Library and archives canada lac holds various records that tell part of the story of the halifax explosion, its aftermath, and the relief work and investigations following the disaster. Photographs portray halifax after the catastrophe, as well as the beginnings of the recovery efforts. The halifax explosion was for many years considered the worst disaster. During the first world war, halifax was a busy port and the centre of wartime shipping for canada. The halifax explosion diary of charlotte blackburn. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy, and extraordinary heroism by john u. Destroyed neighbourhoods were rebuilt to safer standards, while medical treatment, social welfare, and public health saw advances and improvements. The 1917 halifax explosion was an unfortunate but predictable tragedy, given the sea traffic and munitions cargo, resulting in sudden largescale damage and catastrophic injuries, with 1950 dead. The imo can been seen beached on the far shore the james collectioncity of toronto archives in a final, fatal maneuver both captains bellowed out orders to put their engines full speed astern. The 1917 halifax explosion threw this halfton plus anchor shaft miles, into a hill. The halifax explosion july 4, 2011 admin the morning of december 6, 1917 began as most mornings in the city of halifax, nova scotiawives kissed their husbands goodbye, mothers sent their children off to school, and the harbourfront, which served as a major hub during wwi was bustling with activity, both mercantile and military. 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. Newest stories of our past title explores the halifax explosion. See more ideas about halifax explosion, halifax, explosion.
For more information about the halifax explosion, visit. Dec 06, 2017 guides to records about the halifax explosion. An original halifax herald newspaper from the following day will be presented as part of the project. Dear canada make history your own scholastic canada. On the 100th anniversary of the halifax explosion, two new. A history of the destruction of a canadian city by an explosion as powerful as a nuclear weapon. His latest book, a history of canada in ten maps, is a researched look at. The norwegian ship imo left the protected anchorage of bedford basin, outbound for new york to load food and clothing for the people of occupied. New book details 1917 halifax, nova scotia, explosion.
Robert oppenheimer, who studied the halifax explosion closely when developing the atomic bomb, with historys only realworld case study demonstrating the lethal power of a weapon of mass destruction. On december 6, 1917, as world war i continued in europe, ships carrying troops, supplies and munitions filled the harbour of the port city of halifax, nova scotia. This one is actually quite sad and im glad that they created this commercial, as it highlights and important moment in canadian history that most. Canadian content history, canadian disasters, canadian heroes, interesting canadian places, interesting canadians halifax explosion, towns in nova scotia vince colemen 1874 dec. The heritage minutes are dramatic interpretations of pivotal events in canadas history, which. John demont explores the deep history and heritage of nova scotia in his. The halifax explosion kingston regional heritage fair. Nov 30, 2017 a centurys worth of historical accounts, novels and documentaries, plus a tv miniseries, have told and retold the story. Bacon recreates the recklessness that caused the tragedy, the selfless rescue efforts that saved thousands, and the inspiring resilience that rebuilt the town. Africville, campbell road, halifax, nova scotia 45 19171206. Dan soucoups book, explosion in halifax harbour 1917 nimbus begins with a history of halifax and its harbour and how important it was for the war effort in europe. Devastation after the halifax explosion, showing what is left of the richmond neighbourhood. Canadian heritage and its portfolio organizations play a vital role in the cultural, civic and economic life of canadians.
In 1917, halifax, nova scotia was the main base of the new canadian navy and housed the most important army garrison in canada. I became very curious to learn how the explosion happened in the shores of halifax and dartmouth and the impact it had on. The thirteen awardwinning books, publishers and authorsillustrators are. A view of halifax after the explosion, facing south. New book details the halifax, nova scotia, explosion of 1917. Here are 11 fiction and nonfiction books about the past that make excellent presents. 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 miracles and mysteries.
The cargo of the montblanc caught fire, and after burning for 20 minutes, the ship exploded. History is more than just words on a screen or from a textbook. 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. That accident sparked a fire and an apocalyptic explosion that was the largest manmade blast prior to the. A fire on board the french ship ignited her cargo, causing a massive explosion that. Halifax, nova scotia, canada is a modern port city teeming with culture and heritage and the perfect place for your next holiday vacation. Army and navy personnel worked shouldertoshoulder with civilians on rescue, recovery and reconstruction. Why is your topic important in the history of canada. Halifax harbour was crowded with wartime shipping on december 6, 1917. The entire halifax region delights with its impressive array of entertainment, museums, galleries, historic sit. Dec 02, 2017 dan soucoups book, explosion in halifax harbour 1917 nimbus begins with a history of halifax and its harbour and how important it was for the war effort in europe. While most canadians returned home following ve day, people and. Fiction about the halifax explosion disaster that occurred in 1917 and killed 2,000 people.
The port was a major hub of wartime activity and halifax harbour was crowded with warships, troop transports and. Halifax explosion books tagged halifax explosion librarything. Train dispatcher vince coleman sacrifices his own life to save a train from the halifax explosion. The halifax explosion december 7, 2014 july 20, 2015 snapshots of canadas past. One of the ships was filled with ammunition and other explosives, ready to head to europe for the armies fighting in world war i, the other was late and in a hurry. While the halifax explosion of 1917 was a calamity, it was not the only major wartime explosion suffered by the locals. The halifax explosion remembrance book is the first really definitive listing for those killed in the disaster of 6 december 1917. A harbour collision destroys halifax on 6 december 1917, the mont blanc, a french vessel loaded with 2. Army and navy personnel worked shouldertoshoulder with.
Scotia archives detailed information about the contents of 34 township books. On the morning of december 6 th, 1917, the steamship montblanc, inbound from the atlantic with war material for france, entered the halifax harbour narrows. This project was built by athabasca university and is funded in part by the canada interactive fund program of canadian heritage. The montblanc was a munitions ship on its way to join a convoy sailing to wartorn europe. Collison of 2 ships ignited 3,000 tons of explosives that left 2,000 dead and 25,000 citizens homeless. The halifax explosion of 1945 canada history and mysteries. The explosion would revolutionize pediatric medicine. Canadas worst disaster, ken cuthbertson explains the devastation that occurred in the minutes immediately following the explosion. And, in an excerpt from his new book, the halifax explosion. Halifax explosion library and archives canada blog. Halifax explosion the anatomy of a disaster page 1. Government of canada commemorates halifax explosion. A centurys worth of historical accounts, novels and documentaries, plus a tv miniseries, have told and retold the story.
On december 6, 1917, the french munitions ship mont blanc and the norwegian warrelief vessel imo collided in the harbour at halifax, nova. Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the halifax explosion, and its. Marc wortman has written three history books, including 1941. The halifax explosion was the biggest manmade explosion before the atomic bomb, caused when two ships collided in halifax harbour. Atlantic books today issue 84 fall 2017 by atlantic books today. Why alison watt wrote a novel inspired by the halifax explosion. The online version features a searchable database with detailed information for 1946 casualties more than 300 of whom are recentlyconfirmed and identified victims. The plaque was unveiled during the 100th anniversary halifax explosion memorial service organized by the city of halifax. The blast ripped through the city killing almost 2,000 people, injuring. During the first world war, halifax was a busy port. Train dispatcher vince coleman sacrifices his own life to save a. A collision between two ships in halifax harbour in 1917 set off an explosion unrivalled until the atomic bomb. Nova scotia archives virtual archives, resource guides and. Canadian film online is an interactive website devoted to the history of fulllength feature filmmaking in canada.
I chose this topic mainly because it caught my eye when i found out that this was a canadian explosion during wwi and the largest man made explosion before the hiroshima. With one of the finest and deepest icefree harbours in north america, halifax was the port through. 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. The halifax explosion was the largest manmade explosion to occur before the dropping of the atomic bombs during the second world war. The book tells the story of the halifax explosion through the eyes of the. The halifax explosion was a disaster that occurred in halifax, nova scotia, canada, on the morning of 6 december 1917. The halifax explosion and the road to recovery by janet f. Canadian heritage coupons and travel info heritage. What frank baker heard was the biggest explosion of the preatomic. This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and if not signed in for advertising. For more information about the halifax explosion visit the canadian. It has been called the worst manmade explosion in history. For more information about the halifax explosion visit the canadian encyclopedia. What followed was one of the largest humanmade explosions prior to the detonation of the first atomic bombs in 1945.
Vessels were loading cargo, awaiting convoys, or under repair. National archives of canadathe canadian press the halifax explosion devastated the north end of the city, killing nearly 2,000 and injuring 9,000. The first place to look is lacs thematic guide, halifax explosion. Government of canada commemorates halifax explosion national. It was the result of an unlikely collision in the narrows of halifax harbour, involving the french ship, mont blanc loaded with tons of wet and dry picric acid, tnt, gun cotton and benzol and the belgian relief vessel, imo, under norwegian registry.
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