THE HALIFAX EXPLOSION By: Zachary 6-100

THE STORY The Belgian relief vessel Imo was leaving Halifax Harbor on its way to New York and the French munitions ship Mont Blanc was on its way to wait for a convoy when the two ships collided at 8:45 am. The munitions ship was carrying picric acid, gun cotton and TNT. Her top deck carried benzol which spilled and burned. For 20 minutes crowds gathered around Halifax Harbor to watch the billowing smoke filled with sparks and fire as the Mont Blanc drifted towards Pier 6. While crews from nearby ships raced to put out the blaze, the captain and crew of the Mont Blanc rowed in lifeboats for the Dartmouth shore. When the crew landed they tried to warn people to run.

THE STORY… CONTINUED The Mont Blanc rammed Pier 6, setting its wood pilings on fire. The Mont Blanc exploded, flattening everything within 800 meters (2600 feet), and causing damage for 1.6 km (1 mile). The explosion was said to have been heard as far away as Prince Edward Island. Fires spread quickly after the explosion. Water around the ship vaporized, a huge wave flooded the streets of Halifax and Dartmouth and swept many people back into the harbor where they drowned. The next day, one of the worst blizzards ever recorded in Halifax began, and lasted for six days.

FACTS Seconds after the explosion happened the power formed a gigantic tidal-wave . The whole explosion and tidal wave happened in 10 seconds. Vincent Coleman Was the telegraph operator who risked his life to send a telegraph to the train coming from Boston instructing them to stop because an explosion was brewing. The Halifax explosion was the largest explosion before Hiroshima(The largest explosion ever).The Halifax explosion was the worst Canadian tragedy in terms of life loss. Here are 2 little videos about the tragedy.

THE MONT BLANC The Mont-Blanc was a French general cargo and munitions ship owned by Cie General Transatlantique. It was 320 feet long, had a width of 44.8 feet, and a depth of 15.3 feet.

THE IMO   The Imo, formerly named the Runic, originally served as a livestock carrier under the White Star Line. In 1912 it was registered to the South Pacific Whaling Company out of the port of Christiana, Norway, as a supply ship. In 1917 the Imo sailed as a charter for the Belgian Relief Commission, it was neutral and sailed alone. Painted on its side were the words "Belgian Relief" to protect it from German Submarines.

THE RESCUE Shortly after nine the night express arrived in Richmond from Saint John, New Brunswick. The train was about ten minutes late. When the explosion occurred the No.10 was about two miles out. The concussion blew out all of the windows, fortunately no one was injured. The engineer approached the city with caution, stopping the train where the rail was blocked with debris. The destruction and the injuries were apparent. With the aid of the passengers the conductor filled the train with wounded and headed back to Rockingham.

RESOURCES http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVAHmwIspqY&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mod http://canadaonline.about.com/cs/canadaww1/p/halifaxexpl.htme=1&safe=active