What exactly happened in the Halifax Explosion? all the websites are confusing me so can someone explain it to me in their own words? i know the Mont blanc and imo collided but what happened to ship specifically and how did it happen?
You may want to consult your text materials. I think this explains it well, too:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax_Explosion
The Halifax Explosion was a devastating disaster that occurred on December 6, 1917, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. To understand what happened, let's break it down step by step.
1. The two ships involved: The SS Mont-Blanc, a French cargo ship carrying highly explosive munitions, and the SS Imo, a Norwegian vessel.
2. The collision: On the morning of the explosion, the SS Imo was leaving the Halifax Harbor, and the SS Mont-Blanc was entering it. Due to miscommunication and confusion over right-of-way, the two ships collided.
3. Fire ignites on the Mont-Blanc: The collision caused sparks which ignited the highly flammable and explosive cargo on the Mont-Blanc. This triggered a fire on the ship.
4. Failed attempts to control the fire: The crew of the Mont-Blanc, realizing the gravity of the situation, tried to put out the fire but couldn't control it. They made efforts to warn nearby ships and people about the hazardous cargo, but the messages were not fully understood or acted upon.
5. The explosion: The fire on the Mont-Blanc continued to grow, and around 9:04 AM, the highly explosive cargo detonated. The blast was one of the largest non-nuclear human-made explosions in history. It devastated a significant portion of Halifax, obliterated nearby neighborhoods, and caused widespread destruction.
In summary, the Halifax Explosion occurred when a collision between the SS Mont-Blanc and the SS Imo ignited the cargo on the Mont-Blanc, leading to a catastrophic explosion that caused immense destruction in Halifax.
If you need more in-depth information, I can provide sources that explain the event further.