A City Paralyzed by an Explosion

The face of Halifax was forever changed on December 6th, 1917. Early that Friday morning the SS Mont-Blanc collided with the SS Imo. That collision was fatal because the Mont-Blanc was fully loaded with ammunition to supply the French army. Within just ten minutes of the collision the Mont-Blanc caught fire. The events which followed happened so quickly that the citizens of Halifax had no time to react and prepare; let alone evacuate. 2000 people were killed and over 9000 people were injured. Total blocks were demolished and the after shock was felt as far away as Truro.