A Collision in the Harbor
On December 6, 1917, the French munitions ship SS Mont-Blanc collided with the Norwegian vessel SS Imo in Halifax Harbor. The Mont-Blanc, carrying over 2,900 tons of explosives, caught fire and drifted towards the pier. Despite frantic warnings from the crew, the ship exploded moments later.
The Largest Man-Made Explosion
At 9:04 a.m., the Mont-Blanc erupted in a blast equivalent to 2.9 kilotons of TNT, making it the largest human-made explosion before the atomic bomb. The blast wave leveled buildings, shattered windows up to 50 miles away, and triggered a tsunami that washed away parts of the shoreline.
Devastation and Casualties
Approximately 2,000 people were killed instantly, and over 9,000 were injured, many of whom were blinded by shattered glass. The explosion destroyed much of Halifax’s north end, leaving 25,000 people homeless in the harsh winter conditions.
Relief and Rebuilding
Relief efforts began immediately, with help coming from across Canada and the United States. Boston, in particular, sent significant aid, and Halifax still sends a Christmas tree to Boston every year in gratitude. The city slowly rebuilt, its landscape and community forever altered by the catastrophe.
The Largest Pre-Nuclear Blast
A Collision in the Harbor
On December 6, 1917, the French munitions ship SS Mont-Blanc collided with the Norwegian vessel SS Imo in Halifax Harbor. The Mont-Blanc, carrying over 2,900 tons of explosives, caught fire and drifted towards the pier.… pic.twitter.com/8EKp8Jw8SX— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) September 29, 2024