My grandmother Elizabeth, dad's mom, was a young woman with small children when the Halifax Explosion happened. She lost her eye but her life was saved. My other grandmother, Mary, mom's mother, was very young at the time. She was only born in 1909/10 and was still in school. She and mom both told me that during breakfast that morning, her mother Selina, wouldn't let her leave for school until everyone ate their breakfast. My great uncle Tubby (Robert) was a very slow eater and use to count his beans or peas if he had to leave the table for anything. Then when he returned, he would count them again to make sure no one took any. It was a family joke, but they loved him all the same.
I have to say that when Nan and mom told me that when Tubby was finally ready to go to school, the kids got all wrapped up since it was winter. Halifax had very bad winters many years ago and up until about the last 10 to 15 years. Anyway, I'm getting off track here. Nan said that as they were walking to school, Tubby slowing them down, the two ships in the Halifax Harbour, Mont Blanc and Imo collided and the sound was so loud, it could be heard miles away. As they approached the school, they saw a little boy and a woman go into the school just as the explosion happened. All they saw of the child and woman was a leg that fell to the ground and the school building was razed to the ground. To this day, we all thank Tubby for his slow eating and walking, otherwise I wouldn't be here to write this.
In fact, Boston, MA felt the tremors of the explosion. They were one of the first to offer help to Halifax. The day after the horrific explosion where so many people lost their lives, especially children, there was the worst blizzard storm for the people to contend with. It made it very difficult for rescue attempts and finding people under the rubble. I have more stories, but I think I'll write another blog specifically for that.
One of the stories that generated from that infamous day was the blown glass window in St. Paul's church at Grand Parade in Halifax. You can see in the picture below how the shape of the glass represents a man's figure and head. I was assured by my minister (it's my church) that no one was blown through the glass but that the explosion blew the glass in this way. Today, tourist still flock to St. Paul's church because of the glass figure and that St. Paul's is the oldest Protestant Church in Canada. It was erected in 1749 and imitates St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
This is the church where they did the memorial for Queen Victoria when she died and it also was the church that did the memorial service for the victims of the Titanic and our girls building is where many of the coffins were put. This is also where we did the 100 year memorial service for the victims of the Titanic.
 |
| This is the famous window that sees thousands flock to St. Paul's church. It was supposed to be a man's head that was thrown through it during the Halifax Explosion but it was just the way the glass was broken after the explosion. |
 |
| another view of the famous broken glass |
 |
| and the 3rd view of the famous broken glass |
 |
| right side balcony where some stood when saying the Titanic victim's names outloud. |
 |
| left side of the balcony where another group said the victim's names |
 |
| middle of the balcony looking down at the choir. |
 |
| the choir |
 |
| St. Paul's Church, Grand Parade in Halifax. Site of the original Titanic memorial 100 years ago. That's Layla ready to go into the memorial. St. Paul's church is the oldest Protestant church in Canada, built in 1749. |
 |
| This is how the church was decorated 100 years ago for the victims of the Titanic. This was also the way it was decorated when Queen Victoria died for her memorial. |
 |
| side view of churchwith Layla and Rialey at the children's play area. |
 |
| you can see the left side balcony above. |
 |
| memorial glass that shine with light at the front of the church. |
 |
| getting ready for the memorial play before the people arrive. |
 |
| heading in the balcony, facing the front of the church |
 |
| view from the balcony before the start of the memorial |
No comments:
Post a Comment