On December 6, 1917, a flaming cargo ship drifted ominously toward a harbor on the Canadian Atlantic coast as stunned onlookers gathered in the docks to watch.

In the next few seconds, something would happen that would go into one of the most deadly and destructive disasters in Canadian history.

As always, viewer discretion is advised.

By 1917, Halifax, Nova Scotia had established itself as a cornerstone of the Allied effort during the First World War.

Because of its strategic position on Canada's Atlantic coast, the city's natural ice-free harbor made it one of the Allied effort during the First World War. Because of its strategic position on Canada's Atlantic coast, the city's natural ice-free

harbor made it one of the most important maritime hubs in North America.

Its deep and sheltered waters provided a perfect secure base for assembling convoys, transferring supplies,

and preparing troops for the journey to Europe.

Halifax and its significance, however, predated World War I. It had also been a vital naval base for the journey to Europe. Halifax and its significance, however, predated World War I.

It had also been a vital naval base for the British Empire, and the harbour had been central

to military operations during the American Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, and the War of 1812.

Later in the century, the completion of the Intercolonial Railway in 1880, along with the establishment of a

deepwater terminal positioned Halifax is a major link between inland Canada and the global trade routes.

Economic decline struck briefly in the 1890s as local industries struggled to compete with those in

Central Canada, but by the early 20th century, this trend began to reverse, spurred by Canada's

investment in naval

infrastructure. In 1910, the Canadian government took control of the Halifax dockyard,

transforming it into a command center for the newly formed Royal Canadian Navy. So when World War I

erupted, the city was thrust into a renewed and vital role as the British Empire's gateway to

North America, which dramatically reshaped the city. Halifax's busy harbor soon became a central station for transatlantic

convoys. Merchants ships would assemble in the expansive Bedford Basin, which was protected by

anti-submarine nets and military patrol before being sent elsewhere. These logistical demands of the

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