The Halifax Explosion

It's December 6.  And time for a history lesson...  100 years ago today, the largest manmade explosion (before the atomic bomb) occurred.  Right here in Nova Scotia.  Two ships, the steamship, Imo and the Mont-Blanc, a munitions ship, collided here in the harbor.  When they hit,  a fire broke out on-board causing a massive explosion - that could be felt more than 200 miles away.  More than 10,000 people were killed or severely injured.   Half of the city was decimated.

I always knew this story - but I learned a new fact this year.  It's the story of Ralph.   Ralph was a dog who lived aboard the Imo.  He reportedly survived the blast.  He had a good friend on board - the third mate,  Bjarne Birkeland, and reportedly Ralph stayed with the unconcsious, Birekland until they were both rescued.  Birkeland could not keep the dog, so he gave the dog to a Britsih officer on another ship and made him promise to take good care of Ralph.  I'm not sure what happened to Ralph after that - but he did survive and his story appears to have a good ending...

And the other good news part was the fact that in times of tragedy, humans DO come together.  Relief after the explosion poured in - including help from the New England states.   To this day, Nova Scotia sends a huge Christmas tree to Boston each year to say thank you for all that the citizens did to help. 

So the next time your are playing Jeopardy, and there is a question about the Halifax Explosion - you will know some of the facts!  Including the part about a trusty, loyal dog.

Have a good one!  Peace and paws up!