The Halifax Explosion, the world's largest man-made explosion before Hiroshima, occurred when a Belgian relief vessel and a French munitions carrier collided in Halifax Harbour during Date - December 6, 1917 Location - Halifax, Nova Scotia Cause of the Halifax Explosion - Human error Background to the Halifax Explosion - In 1917, Halifax, Nova Scotia was the main base of the new Canadian Navy and housed the most important army garrison in Canada. The port was a major hub of wartime activity and Halifax Harbour was crowded with warships, troop transports and supply ships. more than 1900 people killed 9000 injured 1600 buildings destroyed 12,000 houses damaged 6000 homeless; 25,000 people with inadequate housing The Belgian relief vessel Imo was leaving Halifax Harbour 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 Harbour 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 Mont Blanc rammed Pier 6, setting its wood pilings on fire. The Mont Blanc exploded, flattening everything within 800 metres (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 harbour where they drowned. The next day, one of the worst blizzards ever recorded in Halifax began, and lasted for six days. http://www.halifaxexplosion.org/collision.html http://www.cbc.ca/halifaxexplosion/ http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9D06E4D9143EE433A25757C2A9619C946996D6CF http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D04E0DA1E3AE433A25757C1A9649D946696D6CF
