What ship caused the Halifax explosion?

the Mont Blanc
At 9:05 a.m., in the harbor of Halifax in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, the most devastating manmade explosion in the pre-atomic age occurs when the Mont Blanc, a French munitions ship, explodes 20 minutes after colliding with another vessel.

How far did the Halifax Explosion reach?

Nearly 2,000 people died and some 9,000 were injured in the disaster, which flattened more than 1 square mile (2.5 square km) of the city of Halifax.

Did the Halifax explosion cause a tsunami?

The north end of Halifax was wiped out by the blast and subsequent tsunami. Nearly 2,000 people died, another 9,000 were maimed or blinded, and more than 25,000 were left without adequate shelter. This is the full-length entry about the Halifax Explosion….Halifax Explosion.

Published Online January 13, 2011
Last Edited May 26, 2022

How did the two ships collide in the Halifax explosion?

SS Mont-Blanc, a French cargo ship laden with high explosives, collided with the Norwegian vessel SS Imo in the Narrows, a strait connecting the upper Halifax Harbour to Bedford Basin. A fire on board the Mont-Blanc led to a massive explosion that devastated the Richmond district of Halifax.

How did explosion affect the ship?

Answer: The ship was completely blown apart and a powerful blast wave radiated away from the explosion initially at more than 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) per second. Temperatures of 5,000 °C (9,000 °F) and pressures of thousands of atmospheres accompanied the moment of detonation at the centre of the explosion.

Did the crew of the Mont-Blanc survive?

The Mont Blanc was no more. Ironically, all its crew survived except for one sailor who was felled by shrapnel. The bridge crew of the Imo was killed, including its captain and the pilot.

How could the Halifax Explosion been prevented?

When it was over, more than 25,000 were left without adequate shelter. Perhaps the most horrifying part of the explosion is that it was completely preventable. The Harbour Masters should have ordered other vessels to hold their positions until the Mont-Blanc, full of munitions, had made safe passage through the port.