Curse of the Narrows The Halifax Disaster of 1917

by Mac Donald, Laura M.

• ISBN13: 9780802715104
• ISBN10: 0802715109
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-11-14
• Publisher: Walker Books

Summary

Set against the vivid backdrop of World War I, Curse of the Narrows chronicles one of the most dramatic events in North American history: the catastrophic explosion that shattered Halifax. It is filled with unforgettable human stories: Charles Duggan, who was thrown to the seabed, stripped of his clothes, and left stranded on the opposite shore by the tsunami; Duggan's nine-year-old niece, Helena, who pulled her mother and siblings out of the rubble and led them to safety; Dr. George Cox, an eye surgeon who operated for more than three straight days; pioneering surgeon W. E. Ladd, whose experiences treating children in Halifax would lead to the first pediatric surgery ward in North America; the Boston relief train which literally dug its way through the snowdrifts to bring desperately needed supplies, doctors, and relief workers; and the Boston Christmas Tree, to this day given by the citizens of Halifax in remembrance of its sister city's heroic efforts.

Author Biography

Laura M. Mac Donald is the author of several books and has written and produced award winning television programs and one feature film. A native of Halifax, she lives in New York City.

Table of Contents

A Short History of Halifax	1	(124)
1. Wednesday	15	(11)
2. December 6, 1917: Winter Morning	26	(16)
3. Black Smoke, White Smoke	42	(17)
4. A Word on Explosions	59	(10)
5. Minutes Later	69	(20)
6. Far from the Harbor	89	(4)
7. Scramble at City Hall	93	(16)
8. The First Responders	109	(10)
9. Duggan Walks Home	119	(6)
10. Nightfall	125	(19)
11. Friday Night and Folly Mountain	144	(33)
12. Saturday: Reorganizing the Relief	177	(18)
13. Duggans Reunited, If Briefly	195	(9)
14. The End of Emergency Relief	204	(15)
15. Cap Ratshesky Says Good-bye	219	(8)
16. Playing Solomon	227	(17)
17. Proper Burials, Private Services	244	(3)
18. Monday, December 17, 1917	247	(5)
19. Rules of the Road versus the Law of the Land	252	(21)
20. The Tree at Boston Common	273	(2)
Epilogue	275	(8)
Acknowledgments	283	(2)
Appendix A: Accident or Sabotage?	285	(2)
Appendix B: Preparing for the Future	287	(2)
Appendix C: Francis Mackey Interview	289	(2)
Appendix D: By the Numbers	291	(4)
Appendix E: Wreck Commission Participants and Witnesses; Featured People; and Ships	295	(8)
Archives	303	(2)
Notes	305	(38)
Sources	343	(4)
Index	347