…Halifax experienced a tragedy unlike any other in its history.  At 8:40 a.m. on December 6, 1917, the SS Mont-Blanc, a fully loaded French munitions ship, collided with the Norwegian relief ship Imo.  The Mont-Blanc ship caught fire and exploded roughly 25 minutes later, completely destroying buildings and structures within a two-kilometer radius.  Some 2,000 people were killed by debris, fire, and collapsed buildings, and an estimated 9,000 more were injured.

The Halifax Explosion, as it has come to be known, remains a defining moment in Halifax’s history.  The Dalhousie University Archives and Special Collections contains extensive records documenting the explosion and the events that followed.  Here’s a selection from our vault:

• Medical Relief Committee (MS-13-49) – Single notebook that contains committee minutes which discuss the care of patients following the Halifax Explosion in 1917. Extent 1 cm.

• DeMille, Marjorie (MS-2-716) – A letter to Thomas H. Raddall giving an account of the Halifax Explosion, written March 22, 1981; pamphlet about the explosion, 1917. Extent 1 cm.

• Archibald MacMechan (MS-2-82) – Archibald MacMechan was requested to prepare the official report on the disaster and response. His fonds contains records relating to the report and the Halifax Disaster Record Office, which MacMechan directed for a short time.

• Halifax Disaster Digital Collection – This digital collection contains the full report prepared by Archibald MacMechan

• Thomas Head Raddall (MS-2-202) – Raddall’s fonds contains manuscripts and correspondence about the Halifax Explosion, as well as a number of photographs

• Thomas Head Raddall Digital Collection – Raddall’s digital collection contains a selection of photographs taken just after the Halifax Explosion

Photographs, letters, and other materials related to the Halifax Explosion can be found throughout the Archives and Special Collections.   Come visit us on the 5th floor of the Killam Memorial Library to find out more.