Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:38:29-4:42:12

Preventing the Halifax Explosion means stopping Imo's departure

Arriving in Halifax on 5 December 1917 leaves little time, making delay to Imo the most practical way to keep the ships from meeting in the Narrows.

Halifax ExplosionMaritime DisastersPort SafetySS ImoSS Mont BlancWorld War I
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Question

What could the panel do if sent to Halifax on 5 December 1917?

Short answer

Further delay Imo so that she never meets Mont-Blanc in the Narrows and the collision that triggers the explosion does not occur.

Notes

The disaster followed the collision between the explosives-laden Mont-Blanc and Imo on 6 December. Imo had already experienced a delay while waiting for coal, giving an informed visitor a plausible point at which to interfere. Stopping or further delaying Imo's departure would be more practical than trying to control Mont-Blanc after the ships encountered one another. Preventing the collision is far more credible than trying to fight the fire once the hazardous cargo is burning.