EXPLOSION HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA toronto vancouver trudeau germany war alex stew nino sgt x22 polly ai

one of the largest explosions ever recorded in history

Many people in Halifax first thought the explosion to be the result of a German attack. The Halifax Herald continued to propagate this belief for some time, reporting, for example, that Germans had mocked victims of the explosion.

The success of German U-boat attacks on ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean led the Allies to institute a convoy system to reduce losses while transporting goods and soldiers to Europe.[20] Merchant ships gathered at Bedford Basin on the northwestern end of the harbour, which was protected by two sets of anti-submarine nets and guarded by patrol ships of the Royal Canadian Navy.[21]

The convoys departed under the protection of British cruisers and destroyers.[22] A large army garrison protected the city with forts, gun batteries, and anti-submarine nets. These factors drove a major military, industrial, and residential expansion of the city,[11] and the weight of goods passing through the harbour increased nearly ninefold.[23] All neutral ships bound for ports in North America were required to report to Halifax for inspection.