Home · War & Conflict · First World War · The Halifax Explosion
Topic spans: 1917 - 1998
The Halifax Explosion
On Dec. 6, 1917, a collision in Halifax Harbour led to the biggest man-made explosion in the world before the era of the atomic bomb. The blast levelled most of the city and sent shards of glass and burning debris flying for miles. It left thousands dead, blinded or homeless. Although the explosion occurred before the creation of the CBC, the Canadian radio and TV network has retold the story throughout the years to ensure that this crucial event in Canadian history is not forgotten.
11 television clips
11 radio clips
Halifax today
Broadcast Date: Dec. 7, 1998
Building new homes for the thousands left homeless becomes a major priority for the Halifax Relief Commission. Thomas Adams, a town planner, and architect George Ross come up with an innovative housing project. Since survivors are reluctant to move into wooden homes, having seen their homes reduced to matchsticks and piles of ashes, Ross comes up with a revolutionary fireproof material as shown in this CBC Television clip.Blocks of compressed cement called Hydrostone are used to build the new homes. Construction begins in 1918 and is completed in 1921. Over 300 homes are built. This unique community is simply known as the Hydrostone. The Hydrostone development project continues to be hailed as a great example of early urban development.
Halifax today
• Hydrostone is the commercial name of the grey blocks made from compressing gravel, crushed stone, sand and cement.• The Hydrostone development constituted the first public housing and town planning project in Canadian history.
• With its access to green open spaces and individually designed homes, the original Hydrostone houses remain among the more attractive and desirable residences in Halifax.
Halifax today
Medium: Television
Program: 1st Edition
Broadcast Date: Dec. 7, 1998
Guest(s): Mary Jo Anderson, Peter Henry, Jean Hunter, Janet Kitz, Anne Welsh
Reporter: Darryl Gray
Duration: 9:53
Last updated:
Jan. 7, 2008
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22 clips in this topic . page
Television
6:10
May 29, 1914
Heavy fog leads to a deadly collision that kills 1,012 people in Canada's worst maritime disaster.
Television
26:33
June 12, 1972
Hugh MacLennan, writer and professor at McGill University, talks about his life and work.
Halifax today.
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: Jan. 7, 2008.
[Page consulted on Feb. 11, 2012.]