A Pivotal Part Of Our History

In 1917, in the narrow section of Halifax Harbour, two ships collided. One was filled with ammunition that was heading for Europe to WW1.

This event is known as the Halifax Explosion. (click)

It was the biggest man-made explosion to have ever happened up until Hiroshima.

Thousands were killed immediately and more were injured seriously.

Homes were flattened especially in the north end of Halifax and Dartmouth.

My father was born a year earlier and remembers being told that his mother 

had to wheel him to the Central Commons where everyone was gathering.

It was a cold and stormy day on December 6th.

My father is one of the very few remaining survivors of this devastating explosion.

He is 97 years old and a few members of his extended family (cousins)

either died immediately or shortly after.

This memorial  (click), for those who perished, is located in my childhood neighbourhood

in Halifax's north end.....it is called Fort Needham.

We played here as kids way before this monument was erected.

A few days ago we were up at 'the Fort'  with Sophie.