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15 November 2009
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Lawrence of Canada

Ruins at Richmond following the Halifax disaster in 1917

Graham Lawrence from Cwmbran tells of his father Albert, a gold prospector who saw the aftermath of a major disaster at Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1917.

Hear the interview (Need help with RealPlayer?)


Graham told the story of his adventurous father to Charlotte Evans for Look Up Your Genes on BBC Radio Wales.

On 6 December 1917, the steamship Imo was leaving the harbour at Halifax when it was in collision with the Mont Blanc, a French munitions vessel carrying thousands of tons of TNT and other explosives into port.

Halifax disaster, 1917The resulting explosions and fire destroyed two square miles of the city, leaving around 2,000 people dead and thousands more injured. The blast also caused a tidal wave which swept up the cove and swamped a Native American settlement.

Graham says it was one of the biggest ever man-made explosions, surpassed only when the first atomic bombs were dropped in 1945.

The Halifax disaster formed just part of his father's many adventures across north America as detailed in the postcards he sent home to the family in Wales.

  • Learn more about the disaster from the CBC website

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  • More about Look Up Your Genes on BBC Radio Wales


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