Halifax+Explosion+December+6,+1917

Halifax Explosion Edited by Alyssa Valente, period 1. __Disaster:__ A Norwegian ship Imo had sailed from Holland to New York to get relief suplplies for Belgium. The ship arrived in Halifax on December 3 for a inspection and spent two days in the Bedford Basin waiting to be refueled. She as ready to go on the 5th, but was kept another night because refueling was not finished. The French cargo ship, Mont-Blanc, carrying TNT, picric acid, bednzol and guncotton arrived in the Bedford Basin that same night. At 7:30 am on December 6 the French ship left the dock to join a convoy gathering in the Bedford Basin.

__Collision and Fire:__ At the same time the Norwegian vessel set off to New York to pick up their cargo. In the Narrows ( a section of water crossing fro the outer harbor into the basin) the Norwegian vessal struck the bow of the French boat. The collision was not severe but fire broke out. The Captain and crew were able to take refuge on the Dartmouth shore. The Shipped burned for twenty minutes, this attracted a spectators, the people were unaware of what would happen. only a dew naval officers knew about the explosive cargo and werent able to tell the people in time.

__Explosion:__ At 9:05 am the Mont-Blanc Exploded, not one piece remained beside the dock. pieces of the boat rained on the surrounding area, crashing through buildings embedding them where they landed. Churches, houses, schools, factories and ships were destroyed from the blast. People who were in 400 acres who had stopped on their way to school or work, or in their homes died instantly. Over 1,500 people were instantly kiled and 9,000 were injured. Every building within a 16-mile radius was destroyed or badly damaged