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. 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. 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. Bacon about a ship collision and explosion during world war i thats been called the worlds first weapon of. A fire on board the french ship ignited her cargo, causing a massive explosion that. This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and if not signed in for advertising. A few days after the explosion, a pale, griefstricken man was reported to be standing outside what remained of the building. Read the halifax explosion canadas worst disaster by ken cuthbertson available from rakuten kobo. There are numerous factual accounts of the halifax explosion including shattered city. Historical fiction of the halifax explosion on the anniversary of the halifax explosion, it seems only fitting that we dedicate our post to remembering an event that shaped and changed the city that we live in.
Halifax explosion library and archives canada blog. Bacons the great halifax explosion trace the reverberations of the deadly disaster. Photograph of the explosion cloud taken on 6 december 1917, km away from halifax. Dec 06, 2017 she is listed in the halifax explosion remembrance book as one of the deceased, as her remains were not found.
Minute and no shortage of books, but canadas greatest disaster can be. A double take at the halifax explosion, canadas greatest disaster. New books remember the great halifax explosion the star. The book was presented to the museum in 2002 by the halifax foundation. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy, and extraordinary heroism kindle edition by bacon, john u download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Catching the light has been longlisted by the international dublin literary award. The accidental collision of a munitions ship with another vessel in halifax harbour in 1917 was the largest manmade explosion prior to. Children of the halifax explosion 2000 which explored in more detail the stories of children who. What followed was one of the largest humanmade explosions prior to the detonation of the first atomic bombs in 1945. New book details the halifax, nova scotia, explosion of 1917. Nov 21, 2017 this is the unforgettable story told in john u. Library and archives canada, mikan id number 3531262.
The halifax explosion still reverberates the globe and mail. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy, and extraordinary heroism international ed. Jefferson, rearadmiral bertram chambers, garry shutlak. Tides of honour and the blue tattoo september 14, 2015 a few months ago, i read a book called black snow, a love story set during wwi and the halifax explosion. I have read other books about the incident, but this one is on the human side of the tragedy, not as detail as other books, thou enough information is inserted that one can understand what had happen to cause this tragic accident to occur. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders.
Halifax explosion book uncovers military ties to epic disaster peter mallett, the lookout staff victoria author michael dupuis fascination with the halifax explosion has led to a 194page book, bearing witness. The halifax explosion was the greatest nonnuclear detonation in history, killing 2,000 people and obliterating homes and businesses over a large swath of the city. The author relates the circumstances of the accident that caused the explosion, as well as the recovery efforts and. Explore free books, like the victory garden, and more browse now. A pocket of time is a finalist of ibby canadas elizabeth mrazikcleaver canadian picture book award. Sep 14, 2015 two more books about the halifax explosion. Mar 02, 2016 train dispatcher vince coleman sacrifices his own life to save a train from the halifax explosion. Childrens books tell of bravery, kindness after halifax. Have you visited, are a business owner or live in nova scotia. Dec 05, 2017 black snow is a love story set during the halifax explosion. Journalists, record keepers and the 1917 halifax explosion. The geography and a series of events and errors that occurred in halifax, nova scotia, on december 6 th, 1917, contributed to the most catastrophic and dramatic manmade violence to a surrounding area and its. Bacon is the author of the national bestseller the great halifax explosion and four bestselling books about college football, including three and out, fourth and long, endzone, and bos lasting lessons, coauthored with michigan coach bo schembechler. Bacon, a gripping narrative history of the largest manmade detonation prior to hiroshima.
It started as an idea of former halifax mayor and chair of the halifax foundation, edmund morris. The author relates the circumstances of the accident that caused the explosion, as well as the recovery efforts and subsequent inquiry into the event. 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. People walk through the ruins of halifax after two ships collided in the citys harbour. Dec 02, 2017 new books remember the great halifax explosion. We are posting the first story, an important element of halifax history. The halifax explosion of 1917 paperback feb 25 2014.
Mac donald but it is often through historical fiction that writers and readers are able to experience both the facts of an event and the emotions of the people involved. The halifax explosion is a fresh, revealing account that finally answers questions that have lingered for a century. Information is presented in sequential order under the themes of. Halifax explosion book of remembrance the remembrance book contains a list of the 1,951 people identified as having perished as a direct result of the 1917 explosion. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. An explosion, followed by a tsunami and a fire that burns much of the city. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy, and extraordinary heroism bacon, john u. Remembering the halifax explosion through a childs eyes, 99 years later. Nov 07, 2017 a history of the destruction of a canadian city by an explosion as powerful as a nuclear weapon. On the 100th anniversary of two ships colliding, authors commemorate the blast that changed the face of one of canadas oldest cities. Excerpt from the great halifax explosion book details collision of 2 ships and the explosion that altered a city, residents and relations between canada and u.
The halifax explosion remembrance book was originally developed in 2002 as a commemorative project sponsored by the halifax foundation and its chair, the late edmund morris, a former city mayor, to mark the 85th 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. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy and extraordinary heroism harperluxe, ann arbor author john u. The first place to look is lacs thematic guide, halifax explosion.
On december 6, 1917, the french munitions ship mont blanc and the norwegian warrelief vessel imo collided in the harbou. Halifax explosion the anatomy of a disaster page 1. Along with time, humankind invariably changes the landscape. On december 6, 1917, two tramp steamers, the montblanc and the imo, collided in wartime halifax harbour, creating what became the largest manmade explosion of its time. Train dispatcher vince coleman sacrifices his own life to save a train from the halifax explosion. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy, and extraordinary heroism. A book s 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. Dec 06, 2009 there are numerous factual accounts of the halifax explosion including shattered city. Halifax explosion nonfiction 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. Beside the name of each victim is listed the age and local residential addresses at the time of the explosion, in addition to their burial sites. One familys tragedy in the halifax explosion by james mahar at indigo. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy, and extraordinary heroism for your next book club or community reading program. The halifax explosion and the road to recovery by janet kitz, and the recent curse of the narrows. 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.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the great halifax explosion. An introduction to the halifax explosion from one moment. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. She is listed in the halifax explosion remembrance book as one of the deceased, as her remains were not found. The halifax explosion in fiction the birth house by ami mckay. But you dont have to be historically inclined to be curious about the tragedy or want to learn about the halifax explosion and its aftermath. Bacon is the author of the national bestseller the great halifax explosion and four bestselling books about college football, including three and out. Bacon, whose previous books have focused on athletics and university of michigan sports, will read from and discuss the great halifax explosion at 7 p.
Halifax explosion book of remembrance maritime museum of. Uncovering new halifax explosion stories trident newspaper. The story of the orphanage and its children didnt stop with the howards and the robertsons. Halifax harbour, december 6 1917, two ships collide.
Halifax explosion books tagged halifax explosion librarything. The 1917 halifax explosion is wellknown as the biggest humanmade explosion in the preatomic era, but it was also the largest massblinding in canadian history and played a crucial role in the founding of the canadian national institute for the blind cnib. But other photos of the explosion turned up a few years ago. Historical fiction of the halifax explosion the reader. For more information about the halifax explosion, visit. A fresh generation of childrens books is finding the grace in halifaxs worst moment a massive explosion that levelled much of the city 100 years ago but inspired acts of kindness that still.
Fiction about the halifax explosion disaster that occurred in 1917 and killed 2,000 people. The retired history teachers latest literary work recounts one of the. The mesmerizing stories are sure to entertain and educate readers of all ages. 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. Rich in fact and shocking images, the story sets a blistering pace following one mans search through a ruined city for the love of his life as he confronts the wreckage of his past.
More than 2000 people died, 9,000 were injured, 6,000 people were left homeless and. A former feature writer for the detroit news, his writing has been recognized three times in the best american sports writing series. Nov 30, 2017 ken cuthbertsons the halifax explosion and john u. Halifax explosion 100 years ago images and stories. Bookpal makes staying within your budget easy by offering wholesale books at highly discounted pricing. Bacon about a ship collision and explosion during world war i. An introduction to the halifax explosion halifax, nova scotia, december 6th, 1917.
Each section provides a brief overview of a portion of the event with links to relevant photographs, interactive maps, true stories of survivors, animated. The story of the 1917 halifax explosion and the boston tree. The illustrated account of a disaster that shook the world. More than 2000 people died, 9,000 were injured, 6,000 people were left homeless and an additional 19,000 were left without adequate shelter.
The halifax explosion has shaped what the city is today. A history of the destruction of a canadian city by an explosion as powerful as a nuclear weapon. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy, and extraordinary heroism hardcover november 7, 2017. The great halifax explosion smithsonian libraries unbound. The halifax explosion and the cnib the canadian encyclopedia.