Halifax Explodes!

by Frieda Wishinsky

  “Thank you! That’s a relief! I’m going to take Carolyn home,” said Tim. “Our parents will be so happy to see her.” He turned to Emily and Matt. “Thank you both for your help. When things are better, come and visit us.”

  “We wish we could,” said Emily.

  “But we probably have to leave Halifax and we don’t know when we’ll be back,” said Matt.

  “Thanks for looking out for Poppy,” said Carolyn. “Would you like some gumdrops before I go?”

  Emily and Matt shook their heads. They patted Poppy. “He’s a sweet dog,” Emily told Carolyn. “Goodbye, Poppy.”

  Matt and Emily waved as Tim and Carolyn left the hospital.

  “I like Carolyn. It would have been fun to get to know her,” said Emily.

  “We’d better find our sled,” said Matt.

  “Let’s look for Andrew. Maybe the sled is still there beside him.”

  The friends walked up and down the long halls of the hospital. They looked up and down for the sled and Andrew, but they didn’t see either.

  “What are we going to do now?” said Matt after they’d checked all the rooms and halls.

  “I can’t think straight anymore,” said Emily. “It’s so sad to see all these hurt people. Let’s go outside.”

  “I hope no one tossed the sled in the garbage,” said Matt, as they headed to the front door of the hospital.

  “They couldn’t. They wouldn’t. The sled wasn’t broken or anything. It has to be here somewhere.”

  They reached the main door leading outside the hospital. In front of the door, they saw a girl of ten pulling a boy of five on a sled.

  “Hey, Em!” said Matt. “It’s our sled.”

  Emily’s eyes lit up. “Where did you get that sled?” she asked the girl.

  “It was lying around. This boy went home and left it,” said the girl.

  “It’s our sled,” said Emily. “We brought that boy to the hospital on it.”

  “Oh,” said the girl. “Come on, Peter. Let’s give these children back their sled.”

  “No,” said Peter. “I like this sled, Mary. We found it. It’s ours now.”

  “It’s not your sled. We need it. Come on, Peter. Give it back,” said Emily.

  But Peter wouldn’t budge.

  “Come on, Peter,” said Mary. “It belongs to these children. It’s not ours. Mama will be angry if we don’t give it back.”

  “I don’t care,” said Peter. He started to cry.

  “I’m sorry. Peter is upset because our grandmother was hurt in the explosion.”

  “We understand,” said Matt, patting Peter on the back. “But we really need the sled back.”

  Peter wiped the tears out of his eyes with his hand and shook his head.

  Mary sighed. “Well, there’s one good way to get Peter off that sled.” She leaned over and whispered into Emily and Matt’s ears.

  “Okay,” said Emily. “Let’s do it.”

  “One. Two. Three. Tickle attack!” said Mary.

  Mary, Emily, and Matt tickled Peter under his chin, under his arms, and behind his ears.

  “Cut it out,” he said, giggling.

  But the three wouldn’t stop till Peter squirmed off the sled.

  Matt grabbed the sled, and the two friends raced out the front door of the hospital.

  “Thanks, Mary!” they called.

  “Quick. Let’s hide before Peter tries to find us,” said Matt.

  “No time to hide,” said Emily. “Look at the sled.”

  You came in time

  To help a friend.

  Your journey now

  Is at an end.

  Emily and Matt hopped on the sled. As soon as they did, the sled flew up over the hospital, over Halifax, and into a fluffy white cloud.

  Soon they were back in Emily’s tower.

  The friends slid off the sled.

  “Phew! We were lucky to find the sled,” said Emily.

  “But, boy, that was a surprise adventure,” said Matt. “I’d never heard anything before about that terrible explosion in Halifax. I want to find out more.”

  “Me, too,” said Emily. “Let’s check on the Internet, but first I want some gumdrops.”

  “Gumdrops? You said no to Carolyn when she offered you some.”

  “That’s ’cause I didn’t want to eat gumdrops that had been through an explosion. There could have been dirt on them, or who knows what.”

  “Do you have any gumdrops at your house?”

  “I have a bag in our candy drawer. I got some for Halloween. I ate all the red and green ones, but I think there are some blue ones left. They might be squished, though. I sat on the bag by accident,” said Emily.

  “Squished gumdrops?” said Matt. “Yuck.”

  “When they’re squished, the flavour is even better,” said Emily. “Really. Try some.”

  “No, thank you. You can have them all.”

  Emily smiled. “Great! I will.”

  More About...

  After their adventure, Matt and Emily wanted to know more about Halifax, the explosion, and the aftermath. Turn the page for their favourite facts.

  Emily’s Top Ten Facts

  Railway worker Vincent Coleman hurried to his telegraph office to warn two incoming trains about the explosion. He sent this telegraph: Hold up the train. Ammunition ship afire in harbour making for pier 6 and will explode. Guess this will be my last message. Good-bye boys.

  Coleman died in the explosion but his courage and warning saved 700 lives.

  As the French ship, the Mont-Blanc, exploded, its anchor was blown five kilometres (three miles) away from the harbour while its cannon was blown in the opposite direction.

  The Halifax Explosion caused such a big tsunami (wave) that the cargo ship IMO, which had collided with the Mont-Blanc, was lifted onto shore.

  Glass flew everywhere in the explosion. Windows were broken as far as 80 kilometres (50 miles) away.

  Right after the explosion, thousands of people in Halifax gathered on Citadel Hill to find out what happened.

  Everyone was afraid that the Germans had attacked. Eventually Canadian troops showed up and told them there was no more danger.

  Artist Arthur Lismer, who later became famous as a member of the Group of Seven painters, was in Halifax during the explosion and drew pictures of what he saw.

  Hilda Slayter Lacon was born in Halifax and survived the Titanic disaster in 1912. She later came back to Halifax with her son Reginald when her husband enlisted to fight in World War I.

  Hilda lived in the southern part of the city, which wasn’t as badly damaged as the north.

  Matt’s Top Ten Facts

  Halifax was important in World War I because it has a deep harbour with a wide entrance, making it one of the world’s best harbours to anchor a ship.

  A ship is supposed to raise a red flag if it’s carrying explosives.

  The captain of the Mont-Blanc didn’t raise a red flag because he didn’t want the Germans to know that the ship was carrying explosives.

  The Mont-Blanc burned for 20 minutes as it drifted toward Pier 6 in the north end of Halifax.

  Crowds gathered on the pier to watch the fire. They had no idea the ship would soon explode.

  People as far away as Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick felt the vibrations of the tsunami that hit after the explosion.

  Over 1,600 homes and an entire Mi’kmaq tribe encampment were completely destroyed in the explosion.

  The captain, pilot, and five crewmembers of the IMO died in the explosion. One crewmember of the Mont-Blanc died. The Mont-Blanc’s captain had ordered everyone to abandon ship when the fire broke out.

  After the explosion, the IMO was repaired, renamed, and launched again. It sank in December 1921 after hitting a reef in the South Atlantic Ocean.

  Almost
2,000 people died in Halifax in the explosion.

  So You Want to Know...

  FROM AUTHOR FRIEDA WISHINSKY

  When I was writing this book my friends wanted to know more about what happened to Halifax and its people after the explosion. I told them that although all the characters in my story, except Hilda Slayter Lacon, were made-up, the story is based on the real events of that terrible day in Halifax on Thursday, December 6, 1917.

  Here are the questions I answered.

  How quickly did people get help after the explosion?

  Within 30 minutes after the explosion, people organized search-and-rescue teams to bury those who’d died and to help the injured and homeless. A relief committee was set up, too, but on Saturday a blizzard blanketed the city and work slowed. After the storm died down, heavy rain drenched everything. Then the temperature fell and the rain froze. It was a horrible mix of events and weather, and it made life miserable. It also made conditions for rescue and help difficult.

  Did other cities and countries come to help Halifax?

  Help came from many Canadian cities and countries around the world, including the United States, England, Australia, China, France, South America, and New Zealand. Expert engineers and salvage workers arrived, too. New York held a Halifax Relief Day, and Chicago cabled money.

  But the most memorable effort came from the city of Boston. As soon as news of the explosion reached Boston, a train was loaded with supplies. The next day another train left for Halifax full of supplies, medical personnel, and equipment for a hospital. Two ships carrying supplies also sailed, though they were delayed by the terrible weather. To this day the citizens of Halifax send Boston a large Christmas tree every year as a thank you for all the help and support.

  Did the explosion have any positive after-effects?

  Doctors learned more about treating patients in the open air during emergency situations. That knowledge helped improve medical treatments, hospital facilities, and social welfare services. Harbour regulations also became stricter to avoid disasters like the Halifax Explosion in the future. Scientists began to study the ocean floor to learn more about the effects of man-made and natural disasters. A Halifax housing development called the Hydrostone was built of fireproof concrete blocks for people who lost homes in the explosion. It was a design innovation and is still used today.

  Was anyone blamed for the accident?

  A week after the explosion an enquiry began into what happened and who was responsible. The captain and pilot of the Mont-Blanc were charged with manslaughter, but the charges were dropped because it was hard to know for certain who was really to blame for all the mistakes made. In May 1919, the Supreme Court of Canada said that both ships, the Mont-Blanc and the Imo, were equally to blame for the disaster.

  Are there any memorials to the Halifax Explosion?

  There are many gravestones and monuments to the Halifax and Dartmouth victims (the neighbouring city of Dartmouth also suffered terrible damage). A large Memorial Bell Tower stands on Fort Needham overlooking the site of the explosion. The tower bells are rung every December 6 at 9 a.m., and a service is held to honour those who died and suffered in the tragedy. The bells can be heard across Halifax and Dartmouth.

  About the Author

  Frieda Wishinsky, a former teacher, is an award-winning picture- and chapter-book author, who has written many beloved and bestselling books for children. Frieda enjoys using humour and history in her work, while exploring new ways to tell a story. Her books have earned much critical praise, including a nomination for a Governor General’s Literary Award. She is the author of Please, Louise; You’re Mean, Lily Jean; Each One Special; and What’s the Matter with Albert? among others. Originally from New York, Frieda now lives in Toronto.

  About the Illustrator

  Patricia Ann Lewis-MacDougall started drawing as soon as she could hold a pencil, and filled every blank spot in her mother’s cookbooks by the age of three. As she grew up, Pat Ann never stopped drawing and enjoyed learning all about the worlds of animation and illustration. She now tells stories with her love of drawing and has illustrated children’s books and created storyboards for television animation for shows such as Little Bear and Franklin the Turtle. Pat Ann lives in Stoney Creek, Ontario.

  Praise for the Series

  Teachers, librarians, and kids from across Canada are talking about the Canadian Flyer Adventures. Here’s what some of them had to say:

  “Great Canadian historical content, excellent illustrations, and superb closing historical facts (I love the kids’ commentary!).” ~ Sara S., Teacher, Ontario

  “As a teacher-librarian I welcome this series with open arms. It fills the gap for Canadian historical adventures at an early reading level! There’s fast action, interesting, believable characters, and great historical information.” ~ Margaret L., Teacher-Librarian, British Columbia

  “The Canadian Flyer Adventures will transport young readers to different eras of our past with the appealing topics. Thank goodness there are more artifacts in that old dresser ... they are sure to lead to even more escapades.” ~ Sally B., Teacher-Librarian, Manitoba

  “When I shared the book with a grade 1–2 teacher at my school, she enjoyed the book, noting that her students would find it appealing because of the action-adventure and short chapters.” ~ Heather J., Teacher and Librarian, Nova Scotia

  “Newly independent readers will fly through each Canadian Flyer Adventure, and be asking for the next installment! Children will enjoy the fast-paced narrative, the personalities of the main characters, and the drama of the dangerous situations the children find themselves in.” ~ Pam L., Librarian, Ontario

  “I love the fact that these are Canadian Adventures—kids should know how exciting Canadian history is. Emily and Matt are regular kids, full of curiosity, and I can see readers relating to them.” ~ Jean K., Teacher, Ontario

  What Kids Told Us:

  “I would like to have the chance to ride on a magical sled and have adventures.” ~ Emmanuel

  “I would like to tell the author that her book is amazing, incredible, awesome, and a million times better than any book I’ve read.” ~ Maria

  “I would recommend the Canadian Flyer Adventures series to other kids so they could learn about Canada too. The book is just the right length and hard to put down.” ~ Paul

  “The book I ususally read are the full-of-fact encyclopedias. This book is full of interesting ideas that simply grab me.” ~ Eleanor

  “At the end of the book Matt and Emily say they are goign on another adventure. I’m very interested in where they are goign next!” ~ Alex

  “I like when Emily and Matt fly into the sky on a sled towards a new adventure. I can’t wait for the next book!” ~ Ji Sang

  More Praise for the Series:

  “[Emily and Matt] learn more than they ever could have from a history textbook. Every book in this new series promises to shed light on a different chapter of Canadian history.” ~ Montreal Gazette

  “Readers are in for a great adventure.” ~ Edmonton’s Child

  “This series makes Canadian history fun, exciting and accessible.” ~ Chronicle Herald (Halifax)

  “[An] enthralling series for junior-school readers.” ~ Hamilton Spectator

  “…highly entertaining, very educational but not too challenging. A terrific new series.” ~ Resource Links

  “This wonderful new Canadian historical adventure series combines magic and history to whisk young readers away on adventure…A fun way to learn about Canada’s past.”~ BC Parent

  “Highly recommended.” ~ CM: Canadian Review of Materials

  About the Publisher

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