APA RESEARCH PAPER

APA Research Paper

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to enlighten and explore the incidents of Halifax explosion in a holistic manner. The core objective of the paper is to analyze one of the critical incidents in the history; nonetheless, the paper would also discuss the impact of the explosion of Halifax. In addition, the paper would analyze the impact of war on the incident, and interpret whether the occurrence of war had a significant correlation with the incident. The paper will analyze diverse aspects of Halifax explosion in order to enlighten every aspect of the incident.

Table of Contents

Introduction4

Halifax Explosion Disaster5

The Influence of World War I7

The Impact of the Explosion on Halifax9

Conclusion12

References13

Halifax explosion Disaster December 6, 1917

Introduction

In 1917, Canadian nation was at war which made the harbours busier than ever filled with allied ships transporting people and goods to and from the war. Older ships which should have been decommissioned were still in service because of the necessity for transportation and goods. December the 6th started off like any other day. Fathers and sons were off to work and children were off to school. Canadian soldiers who had volunteered to fight in the war were lined up at the docks settling to embark on their long journey over seas. A French ship called the Mont- Blanc was anchored outside of Halifax's harbour. The ship was too old to still be in use and it was over loaded with explosives. It held over 2 545 tons of picric acid, benzol, gun cotton, and TNT.

Another ship called the Imo was leaving the harbour early. The ships were in the same channel and due to poor harbour traffic the ships collided. A barrel on the Mont- Blanc fell lose and caught fire, everyone on the Mont- Blanc jumped for safety. Children, workman and sailors all crowded the harbour to watch the flames grow higher and higher. 20 minutes later without a warning to the people of Halifax the ship exploded, creating the largest man made explosion (Until the bombing of Hiroshima). A mushroom shaped cloud was spotted above the harbour for 6 hours. The blast was felt from 270 miles away. There wasn't a pane of glass left intact for up to 50 miles away. When Halifax radioed for help a train load of nurses, doctors, surgeons and supplies from Boston was the first to arrive. They were also the last to leave. It was something Halifax will never forget. After the initial explosion fires sprang up. If that wasn't enough that night a snow storm blanketed the city with 6ft of ice and snow freezing many of the shelter less people.

Halifax Explosion Disaster

Halifax was founded in preparation for war and has always been rather uneasy in peace. Then, there is less activity in the harbour and the population falls as young men go "down the road" in search of jobs and excitement. Between wars, military cuts are inevitable, and when the military leaves Halifax, so goes its bread and ...