Halifax in Halifax Region, Nova Scotia — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)

The Explosion Clock

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2019

1. The Explosion Clock Marker

Inscription. The hands on the north clock face in the City Hall tower, opposite on Duke Street, are permanently fixed at 9:04:35 the exact moment of the wartime Halifax Explosion the morning of 6 December 1917.

The clock face, a replica of the City Hall clock-stopped by the Explosion, is a memorial to more than 1900 who died and 10,000 who suffered injuries, many grievous and life-long, in the most violent man-made non-laboratory explosion before the atomic bomb.

Erected by The Halifax Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • War, World I • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is December 6, 1917.

Location. 44° 38.957′ N, 63° 34.538′ W. Marker is in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in Halifax Region. Marker is on Duke Street just east of Argyle Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is mounted above eye-level on the south side of the Duke Tower commercial complex, facing Halifax City Hall and the subject clock tower. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5201 Duke Street, Halifax NS B3J 1N9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "Old" Dalhousie and the Grand Parade (within shouting distance of this marker); Halifax City Hall / Hôtel de ville d'Halifax (within shouting distance of this marker); The Grand Parade

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(about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Gilbert Stuart Newton (about 90 meters away); Cast Iron Facade / Façade en Fonte (about 90 meters away); William Thomas (about 120 meters away); St. Paul’s Church / Église St. Pauls (about 180 meters away); South African War Monument (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Halifax.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Halifax City Hall

Also see . . .
1. Halifax explosion of 1917. Shortly before 9:00 am the Imo, a Norwegian steamship carrying supplies for the Belgian Relief Commission (a World War I-era relief organization), headed out of Halifax Harbour and found itself on a collision course with the French steamship Mont-Blanc. Unbeknownst to others in the harbour, the Mont-Blanc was carrying 2,925 metric tons of explosives — including 62 metric tons of guncotton, 246 metric tons of benzol, 250 metric tons of trinitrotoluene (TNT), and 2,367 metric tons of picric acid — destined for the French war effort. After exchanging warning signals,

The Explosion Clock Marker • <i>wide view<br>(marker beside sidewalk • above eye-level)</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2019

2. The Explosion Clock Marker • wide view
(marker beside sidewalk • above eye-level)

both vessels initiated evasion maneuvers but ultimately collided. (Submitted on September 17, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. New city hall clock commemorates Halifax Explosion. (from CBS news, Jun 05, 1999) Almost 82 years after it came to a sudden stop, the clock on the Halifax City Hall has been replaced. The giant clock froze on Dec. 6, 1917, when two ships blew up in Halifax harbour in the biggest disaster in Canadian history. The new clock has two faces, one that shows the correct time, and another that will remain at four minutes and 35 seconds after nine o'clock. That's the exact time of the accident known as the Halifax Explosion. The clock's restoration is part of the festivities marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of Halifax. (Submitted on September 17, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

The Explosion Clock<br>(<i>Halifax City Hall clock tower • across Duke Street from marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2019

3. The Explosion Clock
(Halifax City Hall clock tower • across Duke Street from marker)

Halifax City Hall (<i>north side • view from near marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2019

4. Halifax City Hall (north side • view from near marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,081 times since then and 153 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 17, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.