Canada Post stamp commemorating Halifax Explosion centennial unveiled

A new Canada Post stamp commemorating the centennial of the Halifax Explosion has been unveiled.

The stamp depicts the SS Imo and SS Mont Blanc in Halifax Harbour and a newspaper bearing the headline ‘Halifax Wrecked.’

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On Dec. 6, 1917, the two ships collided and caused a massive explosion that killed 2,000, injured 9,000 and left 25,000 homeless.

“There is scarcely a family from that period that was not impacted in some way by the explosion and there are thousands of personal stories that have vividly informed us of the horrors of that time,” said Nova Scotia Lt.-Gov Arthur J. LeBlanc during a ceremony at Government House on Monday.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "There is scarcely a family from that period that was not impacted in some way by the explosion and there are thousands of personal stories that have vividly informed us of the horrors of that time," said Nova Scotia Lt.-Gov Arthur J. LeBlanc during a ceremony at Government House on Monday.

“The Lieutenant Governor of the time, MacCallum Grant…immediately opened the doors of Government House. He allowed Halifax authorities to use the residence as a command post for rescue and recovery operations. His kind gesture and the kindness of thousands of Nova Scotians who banded together to assist wounded neighbours and friends helped put the city on the road to recovery.”

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The stamp was designed to show the moments before and after the disaster. Illustrator Mike Little recreated the scene based on historic accounts and used an image of the front page of The Halifax Herald.

Designer Larry Burke says the challenge was to tell the story in a way that had enough impact so people would understand the “enormity” of the tragedy.

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Burke says the newspaper headline “really says everything”, and he knew it had to be at the heart of the stamp’s concept.

The city has compiled a list of commemorative events have been planned to mark the anniversary of the disaster, including the annual morning ceremony at the Memorial Bell Tower at Fort Needham Memorial Park on Dec. 6.

With a file from The Canadian Press

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