Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee Records, 1917-1919

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This collection documents the efforts of the Massachusetts Halifax Relief Committee to offer assistance to Halifax, Nova Scotia after a destructive explosion in 1917. On December 6, 1917, a tremendous explosion occurred in Halifax, Nova Scotia, that was the result of a collision in the harbor between two ships, one carrying compounds used in explosives. The disaster caused great destruction and loss of life. Almost all buildings within one half mile of the harbor were leveled, and those within a one mile zone were badly damaged. There were 1,800 people killed, 3,000 seriously wounded, and 10,000 more in need of medical attention. Property losses from the explosion were estimated at above $30,000,000. The news reached the State House in Boston at 11:00 a.m. on December 6, and Governor Samuel W. McCall immediately sent a telegram to the Mayor of Halifax offering unlimited assistance. He also called a meeting of the Massachusetts Public Safety Committee to take action concerning the relief work. A train with doctors, nurses and medical supplies was sent that night to Halifax. On December 14, the unit left Halifax for Boston and on the trip home formed the Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. Their goal was to raise money from the citizens of Massachusetts to be used to help those who had lost furnishings and belongings to refurnish their homes. A sum of $500,000 was raised for this effort. Over 1800 homes were refurnished and $25,000 was also spent for the care and education of the numerous people who were blinded in the explosion.

Recent Submissions

Photograph of people outside Governor McCall Apartments, on the occasion of visit by Governor of Massachusetts Samuel W. McCall, Nov. 8, 1918

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-11-08)
Photograph 79: Administration Buildings for the Halifax Relief Commission at the foot of the Citadel. Photo taken 5 days after work commenced

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918?)
Photograph 78: Showing the vagaries of the explosion

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918?)
Photograph 77: Last Apartment House of the Exhibition Grounds being "roofed in"

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-01-26)
Photograph 76: Progress on the South Common, showing scenes under which working men labor

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-01-26)
Photograph 75: Another view of progress of construction on South Common

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-01-26)
Photograph 74: View of progress of construction on South Common

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-01-26)
Photograph 73: Military Apartments at foot of the Citadel

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-01-26)
Photograph 72: Governor McCall Apartments on Exhibition Grounds

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-01-26)
Photograph 71: Apartments on South Common. “Roofing in” the last building on Endicott Avenue

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-01-26)
Photograph 70: Plan of the City of Halifax. Each black dot represents a pin, which was placed on the original map to indicate that temporary repairs had been to the house. At the time photo was taken nearly 3000 houses had been temporarily repaired

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-01-23)
Photograph 69: Temporary housing for workmen of contractor, clearing up devastated area

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-01-26)
Photograph 68: Apartments on South Common. “Roofing in” the last building on Endicott Avenue

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-01-26)
Photograph 67: Apartments on South Common. “Roofing in” the last building on Endicott Avenue

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-01-26)
Photograph 66: A bird's eye view of Governor McCall Apartments. Massachusetts Avenue 170 feet wide on left. Maine Avenue marked (x). Rhode Island Avenue marked (xx). Endicott Avenue marked (xxx). Photo taken on the day on which the last house was "roofed in". Note the American, British and French Flags

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-01-26)
Photograph 65: Governor McCall Apartments, showing coal sheds, one for each apartment at the end

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-01-26)
Photograph 64: Dining-room and Bunk House immediately in the rear of the Alexander McKay School

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-01-26)
Photograph 63: Apartment Houses. (Military Type) These buildings are 96 feet long, 46 feet wide and 2 stories high. They contain 16 Apartments each. View from Bell Road

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-01-26)
Photograph 62: Apartment Houses. (Military Type) These buildings are 96 feet long, 46 feet wide and 2 stories high. They contain 16 Apartments each. View from Bell Road

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-01-26)
Photograph 61: The Governor McCall Apartments. Situated on Halifax Exhibition Grounds. Massachusetts Avenue on the left. Other streets are called Maine Avenue, Rhode Island Avenue and Endicott Avenue. 40 buildings, 8 Apartments each, for 320 families approximately 2000 people - built in 320 working hours by Reconstruction Committee. Work begun Christmas Day

Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee. (Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee, 1918-01-26)