Sea Tales

The Halifax Explosion (1x3)

Air date: Sep 18, 1997

Some say it was the work of German spies. Others maintain that it was a tragic accident of unimaginable proportions. Whatever the cause, on a bitter morning in 1917 in the booming port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1,600 people were killed and 9,000 injured when a French munitions ship exploded after striking another vessel. THE HALIFAX EXPLOSION is a comprehensive examination of the tragedy. Eyewitness accounts capture the force and horror of the explosion the largest non-nuclear detonation in history! Rare photos and archival footage reveal the incredible destruction that led thousands of mariners from around the world to converge on the devastated port in a massive relief effort. World War I historians examine the theories that surround the disaster, while a detailed reconstruction shows how accident and error compounded to create tragedy. It's an intriguing look at one of the most incredible chapters in maritime history.