Halifax Explosion?

**gincognito** · 10-29-2003, 08:00 AM

Forgive me, but I'm curious: prior to the recent specials on the mighty CBC, how many of you had heard of the Halifax Explosion?

I know this is about as far from skiing as possible, contains no humour, and will most likely be ignored and/or screwed around with (probably rightly so), but, as stated, I am curious.

Thanks.

Sick and ashamed and happy (and somewhat surprised),
d.

**iceman** · 10-29-2003, 08:50 AM

Big boat go boom!

**gincognito** · 10-29-2003, 09:21 AM

Originally posted by iceman
Big boat go boom!

That's the one. I take it you be the non-Canuck in the the 'yes' column? I suppose that comes from having the Boston connections (apparently them two cities have good ties)...

Sick and ashamed and happy (and, for whatever reason, was not aware that this event - a collision involving a munitions boat in Halifax Harbour on December 6th, 1917 resulting in the largest manmade explosion to date (and largest until the atom bombs), 1,951 fatalities, 9,000 injuries, and the complete razing of the north end of Halifax (not to mention the damage to Dartmouth and others across the harbour) - was so unknown. Canadians suck at their own history),
d.

**Viva** · 10-29-2003, 09:24 AM

So, I take it this has nothing to do with explosive diarea?

**Keoni** · 10-29-2003, 09:31 AM

Halifax? Is that where they used to build the Chevy Nova? Sorry, I don't get out much.

**Steven S. Dallas** · 10-29-2003, 09:31 AM

The Halifax Explosion? Didn't they win the Grey Cup last year?

Okay, I know that one. Anyone here know about the Boston Molasses Flood of 1919?

**iceman** · 10-29-2003, 09:32 AM

Yeah, that's me in the non-canadian "Yes" column. Boston and Halifax do have close historic ties, but I think I knew about this because I've been to Halifax a few times.

**iceman** · 10-29-2003, 09:33 AM

The molasses flood was sick. Did you know that there are buildings downtown where you can still see the high-"water" mark from the molasses?

**Keoni** · 10-29-2003, 09:37 AM

Mole Asses? A flood? Ewwwwww

**Steven S. Dallas** · 10-29-2003, 09:59 AM

Originally posted by iceman
Did you know that there are buildings downtown where you can still see the high-"water" mark from the molasses?

Sure, right by my (former) apartment in the North End. They say some days, when the wind is still, you can still smell the sweet, sweet molasses...And of course hear the whisperings of the 21 souls lost that fateful day.

Also, my grandma says she remembers it (she was 6 at the time).

**The AD** · 10-29-2003, 10:07 AM

I've read about the Halifax explosion before. I think I must have read a book on "great disasters" as a kid, because I remember that, the Johnstown flood, etc. My other favorite book back then were about Sasquatch and the Loch Ness Monster. The monsters along with The Bermuda Triangle were big back in the '70s!

I've also heard about the molasses flood in Boston. That's pretty cool.

**CaddyDaddy77** · 10-29-2003, 10:22 AM

I remember the Halifax from some obscure book in middle school, your basic looking into explosives phase.

On the molasses flood, it had to be absolute mayhem, the tank that popped was holding about 2.5 million gallons of the stuff.

The actual wall of molasses was estimated to be from 15 - 30 feet high and moved at 25-35 miles per hour in the area around the tank. The depth was only (only?!!) several feet in the surrounding area. You could not outrun this thing.

http://members.tripod.com/~earthdude.../molasses.html