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N0KFQ > TODAY 06.12.15 16:34l 56 Lines 2535 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 76728_N0KFQ
Read: GUEST
Subj: Today in History - Dec 6
Path: IW8PGT<IZ3LSV<IW2OHX<IQ2LB<F1OYP<CT1ENI<N0KFQ
Sent: 151206/1533Z 76728@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA BPQ1.4.65
1917
Ships explode in Canadian harbor
On this day in 1917, a Belgian steamer and French freighter, both
loaded with ammunition, explode in Canada's Halifax Harbor,
leveling part of the town and killing nearly 1,600 people and
injuring approximately 8,000. The 8 million tons of TNT carried
by the ships was intended for use in World War I.
The ships were gathered in Halifax, the meeting point for convoys
to begin the dangerous Atlantic crossing, during which they were
threatened by the deadly and stealthy German U-boat submarines.
The HMS High Flyer was assigned to lead the convoy. The freighter
from France, the Mont Blanc, had picked up a full load of TNT in
New York and came into the harbor on a foggy morning. Due to the
poor conditions, it collided with the Imo, a Belgian steam boat,
also carrying ammunition. A fire resulted and both ships were
abandoned immediately.
A British ship, the Pictou, was at a pier in the harbor and was
also filled with ammunition. The crew of the Pictou immediately
fled and set the ship free upon witnessing the collision. The
High Flyer was the only ship that took any action to try to stop
the disaster-it sent 23 men toward the collision to attempt to
sink the vessels. They were too late: A massive explosion
occurred just as they reached the ships.
The explosion sent burning debris throughout Halifax. It also
caused a large wave to form that pushed the ships at pier right
up out of the harbor. A Canadian army officer stationed at
Halifax described the result, "All that could be seen for a great
circumference were burning buildings, great mounds of iron and
brick in the streets and dead bodies." A 2.5- mile radius was
completely demolished and the explosion could be felt 125 miles
away. The wave of water hit a Navy ammunition plant located near
the shores, possibly saving it from the fire.
Most other places nearby were not so lucky: The railway station
collapsed from the blast and crushed scores of people inside.
About 100 more were killed in a sugar plant located near the
water. Of the 500 students located in schools nearby, less than
10 survived. In all, the death toll was somewhere between 1,200
and 4,000, but no one knows for sure because so much of the city
was completely obliterated. Many more might have died except for
a snowstorm later that day that helped put out the flames. Still,
25,000 people were left homeless in the wake of the disaster.
73, K.O. n0kfq
N0KFQ @ N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
E-mail: kohiggs@gmail.com
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