On this day in 1917, the Mont-Blanc exploded in Halifax Harbour, releasing a 2.9 kiloton explosion. The largest human-made explosion in history to that point, it killed nearly 2,000 people and injured 9,000. Let's learn about this dark day. 🧵1/18 - ThreadSky

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social • 84 days ago

On this day in 1917, the Mont-Blanc exploded in Halifax Harbour, releasing a 2.9 kiloton explosion.
The largest human-made explosion in history to that point, it killed nearly 2,000 people and injured 9,000.
Let's learn about this dark day.

🧵1/18

Comments

prinzadelbart.bsky.social•84 days ago

wow, i've seen many photos of the aftermath but have never seen the actual explosion before, awesome historical artefact

troy-stevens76.bsky.social•84 days ago

My grandmother recalled the Halifax Explosion and the ground shaking even though she was +60km away. Scars still remain from this tragedy, like a stained glass windows in the Halifax cathedral where a man was blown against the glass and his silhouette was etched in the glass around him.

jeffclark1969.bsky.social•84 days ago

This was my Matrilineal family’s home after the disaster. Great-Grandmother lost an eye but my infant Grandmother was saved by the Singer sewing machine that’s in my living room.

susantyrrell.bsky.social•84 days ago

My grandfather stepped out from his desk to visit the water cooler. When he returned, his desk was covered in shattered glass. How precarious our existence can be!

fenderjazz2112.bsky.social•84 days ago

CRAZY story. Thanks for sharing.

buddsd.bsky.social•83 days ago

All that because two guys refused to back down

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•84 days ago

During the First World War, Halifax Harbour was incredibly busy. Convoys were carrying men, livestock and supplies to France, while other ships were returning soldiers from the war.
All neutral ships going to Europe also had to be inspected at Halifax.

🧵2/18

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•84 days ago

SS Imo had sailed from the Netherlands enroute to New York.
While in Halifax Harbour, her departure was delayed due to her coal not arriving on time. The loading of fuel was not completed until after the submarine nets went up in the evening of Dec. 5.

🧵3/18

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•84 days ago

Meanwhile, SS Mont-Blanc, loaded with explosives, benzol, guncotton and picric acid arrived at Halifax but had to wait to enter the harbour until Dec. 6 because of the submarine nets.
These two ships waited until morning to enter and leave the harbour.

🧵4/18

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•84 days ago

At 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 6, SS Imo was granted clearance to leave the harbour. The ship entered The Narrows at a fast speed on the Dartmouth side.
Meanwhile, SS Mont-Blanc entered the harbour also on the Dartmouth side.
The crews of the ships soon spotted each other.

🧵5/18

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•84 days ago

Neither ship appeared willing to move and despite reversing engines they collided at a slow speed at 8:45 a.m. There was minor damage to the ships but containers of Benzol fell over and spilled on the Mont-Blanc. As SS Imo backed up, the sparks lit the Benzol.

🧵6/18

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•84 days ago

As SS Mont-Blanc burned, fire crews began to arrive. The crew of the Mont-Blanc attempted to warn them but they were not heard. They abandoned ship and swam to shore. Meanwhile, the Mont-Blanc drifted towards Halifax where crowds of people were watching the fire.

🧵7/18

rhondamorton.bsky.social•84 days ago

🇨🇦💞🇺🇸

hubhistory.com•83 days ago

My Boston-centric thread on today's anniversary. https://bsky.app/profile/hubhistory.com/post/3lcnmd5n4xk2n

jamescarey714.bsky.social•84 days ago

And if you enjoyed the thread why not give the musical version a try? https://youtu.be/T_5PHU7vQu4?si=gyFzvGXkuPw0WFpp

fookbluesky.bsky.social•84 days ago

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