2:00 pm – FREE ADMISSION
Author Janet Maybee offers a session on Halifax Explosion myths and truths:
Rediscover the century-old narrative that unfairly blames one harbour pilot for so much death and destruction. Special guests include representatives from HMCS Sackville, Pier 21, Shipfax/Harbour Watcher, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Atlantic Pilotage Authority. Books will be available for sale.
On December 6, 1917, harbour pilot Francis Mackey was guiding Mont-Blanc, a French munitions ship, into Bedford Basin to join a convoy across the Atlantic when it was rammed by Belgian Relief vessel Imo. The resulting massive explosion destroyed Halifax’s north end and left at least two thousand people dead, including pilot William Hayes aboard Imo.
Who was to blame? Federal government and naval officials found in Pilot Mackey a convenient target for public anger. Charged with manslaughter, he was imprisoned, villainized in the press, and denied his pilot’s license even after the charges were dropped. A century later he is still unfairly linked to the tragedy.
Janet Maybee holds English degrees from UNB and Dalhousie. As research associate at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, her archival studies in Halifax and Ottawa focussed on the 1917 Halifax Explosion, particularly the fate of harbour pilot Francis Mackey and his family. Janet lives in that part of Halifax called Richmond before the tragic blast.
Aftershock has been shortlisted for two prestigious Atlantic Book Awards.
For additional information:
Richard MacMichael
902-424-8897
macmicrs@gov.ns.ca