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Ships of the Halifax Explosion

Imo After Explosion
IMO, after explosion Photo: MMA MP207.1.184/270, MP207.1.184/270a,M90.61.15

Halifax Harbour was crowded with wartime shipping on December 6, 1917. Vessels were loading cargo, awaiting convoys, or under repair. This list includes the major vessels involved or affected in the explosion. There were many other vessels in harbour which are not listed as they were not heavily damaged or directly involved with the explosion. Selected vessels have links to images and more information.
The Two Ships in Collision

Name

Flag

Type

Location

Fate

Mont-BlancFranceGeneral Cargo, Munitions At Narrows inbound to Bedford BasinObliterated by blast, crew escaped
IMO Norway General Cargo, charter for Belgian Relief At Narrows outbound from Bedford Basin Severely damaged, driven aground, bridge & deck crew killed

Other Ships Involved

Name

Flag

Type

Location

Fate

HMCS Acadia Canada Auxiliary Patrol Ship acting as Bedford Basin Guard shipEast side, Bedford Basin entranceMinor damage. (Now part of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic & the last surviving vessel from the explosion).
Acadian Canada General CargoInbound, 15 miles from HalifaxUndamaged,felt concussion, saw blast cloud
Baleine (RCN)CanadaMinesweeping trawler Sweeping Harbour approaches for minesFelt explosion, undamaged, continued sweeps
BootonCanadaTug Towed Old Colony to No. 4 Dockyard Pier for emergency hospital duty
CC 1 & CC 2CanadaSubmarinesAt Dockyard Pier 1 under refitBroke moorings, minor injuries
CD-73CanadaCoastal Drifter acting as Duty BoatTo Niobe for SuppliesBadly damaged, crew injured
Calonne Britain General Cargo Loading horses at Pier 9Severely damaged, hove over, 36 crew killed
HMCS CanadaCanada Auxiliary Patrol ShipDockyard Anchorage by Jetty 2Minor damage, 1 serious injury, crew sent ashore to assist
HMCS CartierCanadaAuxiliary Patrol ShipAt Dockyard Jetty 3 following coalingMinor damage
HMS Changuinola BritainArmed Merchant Cruiser (Escort Ship)At Dockyard anchorageMinor Damage. Crew assists in rescue
ClaraUnited StatesGeneral Cargo "Tramp Steamer"Arriving Bedford Basin from NarrowsProceeded Mont Blanc through Narrows, complicating Imo and Mont Blanc manoeuvres.
Curaca Britain General CargoLoading horses at Pier 8Blown across harbour, sank at Tufts Cove, 45 crew killed, refloated in 1918
DartmouthCanada Harbour FerryDamaged but continued running
Douglas H. ThomasCanada Tug At Dry Dock wharfSevere damage, 3 deaths, towed to safety in Dartmouth
F.W. RoeblingCanada SchoonerSevere damage, 1 death
HMCS GrilseCanada Torpedo Boat Destroyer (Armed Yacht)Dockyard Jetty 2 on stand by for Harbour DefenceMinor damage & injuries
CGS GulnareCanada Bedford Basin Guard Vessel, anchored off AfricvilleWest Side Bedford Basin entranceMinimal damage
Halifax (II)Canada Harbour FerryMid Harbour approaching HalifaxSerious damage but continued running. Many minor glass injuries
HMS Highflyer Britain Light Cruiser At Dockyard AnchorageDamaged, 3 killed 50 injuries, crew assists with rescue
Hilford Canada Tug, RN Charter, Port Convoy OfficeReturning from basin convoy liason, at Pier 9 to raise alarmSevere damage, blown out of water onto Pier 9. Only 2 survived.
HMCS HochelagaCanadaAuxiliary Patrol Ship At anchor in harbour awaiting Pier 4 berthMinor damage & injuries
Hovland Norway General CargoIn Dry Dock for repairsUpper works seriously damaged, Five crew members killed
J.A. McKeeCanada Coal Carrier At Dry Dock Wharf for repairsHeavily damaged, no deaths
HMS Knight TemplarBritainCommissioned Escort ShipAlongside at DockyardBlown adrift by explosion. Two injuries. Sends rescue party and doctor ashore to assist.
HMCS Lady EvelynCanadaAuxiliary Patrol ShipOn patrol Harbour ApproachesFelt explosion, undamaged, went to action stations to face possible attack
Lola R.Canada SchoonerFrom Herring Cove to inner harbour"Blown to pieces"
MaggieCanadaTug, RN Charter, Port Convoy OfficeDowntown Halifax piersCarried relief parties & surgeons ashore from RN ships
HMCS MargaretCanadaAuxiliary Patrol ShipAt Dockyard Jetty 2Broke moorings, minor damage, two crew members killed ashore
Middleham Castle Britain General Cargo Preparing to leave Dry Dock wharf for seaHeavily damaged, lost funnel
USS Morrill USAUS Coast Guard patrol vesselAt anchor, Dartmouth Cove awaiting suppliesDamaged
MusquashCanada RCN Minesweeping TrawlerAt Dry Dock WharfSet afire and adrift
NereidCanada RCN Armed Tug (Examination Service)At anchor off Dockyard Pier 4, near NiobeModerate damage
HMCS Niobe CanadaCruiser, Depot Ship Hospital Wharf, north end of DockyardSerious Damage. Several crew, including entire pinnace crew, killed. Surviving crew assisted ashore.
USS Old Colony USA Ex passenger ship bound for Britain for naval conversionAt dry dock wharf awaiting boiler repairManned as temporary hospital by naval surgeons
PV-V (RCN)CanadaMinesweeping trawler Dockyard Jetty 3 for refitModerate damage
PV-VII (RCN)CanadaMinesweeping trawler Sweeping Harbour approaches for minesFelt explosion, undamaged, continued sweeps
Picton Britain General Cargo, including munitionsAt Sugar Refinery WharfBadly damaged & set ablaze by explosion
RagusCanada Sugar Refinery Tug At sugar refinery wharfHeavily damaged, most crew killed
SambroCanada Shipyard Tug Graving Dock WharfSunk. Raised in 1920s & renamed Erg
St. Bernard Demerara, British GuianaSchooner Unloading Lumber, Pier 6Completely destroyed. Crew of 3 killed
Stella Maris Canada Tug under RCN charter, ex RN gunboat At Pier 6 attempting to tow Mont BlancSeverely damaged, 19 crew killed, 5 survive
USS Tacoma USAThird Class Cruiser50 miles at sea off HalifaxFelt blast, came into port to assist with rescue
Togo CanadaTugNaval DockyardTook wounded from rescue parties to USS Old Colony
USS Von SteubenUSAArmed Troop TransportAt sea off HalifaxFelt blast, came into port to assist with rescue
W.H. Lee Canada Naval Motor BoatAt Dockyard Coaling WharfFought fires on damaged vessels

Abbreviations:
HMCS - His Majesty's Canadian Ship (Canadian naval vessel)
HMS - His Majesty's Ship (British naval vessel)
USS - United States Ship (American naval vessel)
CGS - Canadian Government Ship
RCN - Royal Canadian Navy
RN - Royal Navy (British)

Sources:


Halifax Explosion Info Sheet

Halifax Explosion Frequently Asked Questions


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