Follow the story of the explosion that started 100 years of friendship between Halifax and Boston
One hundred years ago Wednesday, two ships collided in Halifax Harbour and triggered what became the deadliest non-natural disaster in Canadian history.
The explosion on the morning of Dec. 6, 1917, killed 1,500 people immediately and destroyed everything within more than a mile and a half radius.
As news of the explosion spread, Boston Mayor James Michael Curley organized a rapid aid response. A train from North Station departed 12 hours after the explosion, bearing 100 Boston medical personnel and hospital supplies.
Nova Scotia sent Boston a Christmas tree as thanks a year later.
Since 1971, the tree has become an annual tradition, making the trip with a police escort and town crier from Nova Scotia.
“It’s a nice way to continue the natural link that has always existed between Nova Scotia and, as they call it up there, the ‘Boston States,’” town crier James Stewart told The Boston Globe before this year’s tree ceremony.
#DYK that within 12 hours of the #HalifaxExplosion happening, Boston had a train full of supplies and medical staff racing up to help out. We were one of the 1st to respond in such a way. We <3 you, Halifax! pic.twitter.com/PuZWRKucur
— Boston NHP (@bostonNHP) December 6, 2017
“The people of Halifax have never forgotten how Boston responded during our moment of need,’’ Zach Churchill, a former Nova Scotia minister of Natural Resources, told Boston.com in 2015.
On this year’s centennial, the Nova Scotia Archives is remembering the historic tragedy by “live-tweeting” the story. Here are a few of the updates.
In 1917, the #Halifax area had a population of 65,000 people and was home to many troops awaiting embarkation for Europe. #HalifaxExplosion
— Nova Scotia Archives (@NS_Archives) December 6, 2017
The Mont-Blanc was loaded with 2300 tons of wet & dry picric acid, 200 tons of TNT, 10 tons of gun cotton & 35 tons of benzol. #halifaxexplosion
— Nova Scotia Archives (@NS_Archives) December 6, 2017
Imo struck the starboard bow of Mont-Blanc. As the steel ships ground into each other, sparks flew. #halifaxexplosion
— Nova Scotia Archives (@NS_Archives) December 6, 2017
The #halifaxexplosion had more force than any man-made explosion before it. It was equivalent to ~3 kilotons of TNT.
— Nova Scotia Archives (@NS_Archives) December 6, 2017
The #halifaxexplosion sent a white cloud billowing 20,000 feet above the city. https://t.co/hCMIPNN1YV pic.twitter.com/9jsj4qDlTe
— Nova Scotia Archives (@NS_Archives) December 6, 2017
88 students of Richmond School on Roome Street were killed in the #halifaxexplosion. Two in the school and 86 on their way to school. https://t.co/JBm9ei3jjU pic.twitter.com/46oT13bcjj
— Nova Scotia Archives (@NS_Archives) December 6, 2017
You can follow along on the Nova Scotia Archives Twitter account or with the hashtag #HalifaxExplosion.
