Canada's Naval History

Home > Explore History > First World War (1914-1918) > The Halifax Explosion

Birth Of the Navy

First World War

Between the Wars

Second World War

Early Cold War

Later Cold War
- - From RCN to Maritime Command
  - A Changing Fleet

Navy Today
- - The Gulf War
  - Continuing Commitments

First World War (1914-1918)
The Halifax Explosion

In December 1917, a collision between the relief ship SS Imo and the munitions ship SS Mont Blanc in the port of Halifax led to a massive explosion that devastated the harbour and the city, killing thousands.

SS Imo and Halifax Sugar Refinery

This postcard shows SS Imo (left background) and the wreckage of the sugar refinery (right foreground) following the Halifax Explosion.

The SS Mont Blanc came to rest against the Halifax shore and exploded not far from this location, which consequently lay within the worst-hit area. The SS Imo, one of the two ships whose collision caused the explosion, was hurled against the far side of the Halifax Narrows. The explosion demolished the 10-storey sugar refinery which had been a prominent structure on Halifax's waterfront.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20030146-036