Memorial service marks 105th anniversary of Halifax Explosion (8 photos)

A ceremony was held Tuesday to honour the 105th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion, which levelled large parts of the city.

At 8:45 a.m. on Dec. 6, 1917, the SS Mont-Blanc, fully-loaded with wartime munitions, collided with the Norwegian ship SS Imo in the part of Halifax Harbour called 'The Narrows.'

About 20 minutes later, the Mont-Blanc blew up, obliterating buildings and structures in the largest man-made explosion prior to the development of the atomic bomb.

Approximately 2,000 people died in the blast and around another 9,000 were injured.

The memorial ceremony today at Fort Needham Memorial Park included a moment of silence, a wreath-laying ritual, an Indigenous smudging ceremony and remarks from officials.

Halifax's Deputy Mayor Sam Austin said its important to look back at the impact the harbour collision had on our community.

“When the explosion happened, we lost a ton of people and there were people whose lives were never the same again,” said Austin, “and the rebuilding of the city forever changed it.”

“This was a pivotal moment in our shared history and I think it's important to mark it each year.”

North end councillor Lindell Smith said remembering the tragic event from over a century ago is also a way to recognize the resilience of Haligonians.

“It's one thing for us to commemorate what happened on the day of the Halifax Explosion, but more important to say we're still here and we're still honouring those who survived and those who were killed.”

A crew of firefighters were at ground zero when the Mont-Blanc exploded.

Fire Chief Edward Condon, Deputy Chief William Brunt, Captain William Broderick, Captain Michael Maltus, Hoseman John Spruin, Hoseman Walter Hennessy, Hoseman Frank Killeen, Hoseman Frank Leahy and Hoseman John Duggan were all killed as a result of the blast.

A monument to the fallen firefighters stands at the Lady Hammond Road fire station.