A city in turmoil; neighbors rushing to help; the search for someone to blame: While the residents of Los Angeles facing wildfires today live in vastly different circumstances than those who experienced the Halifax Explosion over a century ago, there are eerie similarities between the two disasters.
On the morning of December 6, 1917, two ships accidentally collided in Halifax Harbour, sparking an uncontrollable fire. One of the vessels was a Belgian relief ship, while the other, the SS Mont-Blanc, was a French munitions ship filled with explosives like TNT, picric acid, benzol, and guncotton. The explosion that followed remains one of the largest accidental human-caused explosions, killing nearly 1,800 people and instantly damaging or destroying over 12,000 structures.
Boston’s response was swift, sending a train loaded with supplies and medical staff to Halifax through a severe snowstorm. This marked one of the earliest examples of organized international disaster relief. Watching the bright yellow Canadian Super Scooper planes arriving in Los Angeles to help combat the fierce wildfires encroaching on my home was profoundly moving. It was a poignant reminder of the mutual aid between longstanding friends.
Our city can also draw important lessons from the Halifax Explosion, notably concerning the dangers of scapegoating during crises. The story of Francis Mackey, a mariner blamed for the Halifax disaster, illustrates that hasty finger-pointing in the wake of a catastrophe often misplaces blame.
Mackey, whose tale survives largely due to historian Janet Maybee’s book “Aftershock: The Halifax Explosion and the Persecution of Pilot Francis Mackey,” was responsible for piloting the Mont-Blanc into the harbor. Despite surviving the explosion, he quickly became a target for blame. As people demanded answers, Mackey, a seasoned maritime pilot, became a convenient scapegoat for authorities. He lost his pilot’s license, was arrested, imprisoned, and vilified in the media, facing manslaughter charges alongside the ship’s captain and a naval officer overseeing the harbor.
Eventually, a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge reviewed the case and cleared Mackey of blame. However, by then, the damage to his reputation and public perception was irrevocable. Labelled a “murderer” by the public, Mackey was yet another casualty in a broken city.
Ultimately, no single individual could be held accountable for the Halifax explosion. The truth was less sensational: It was a tragic accident, occurring during wartime in a community situated near a vast arsenal.
Similarly, Los Angeles’ disaster is rooted in the collision of human-induced climate change and a city built in a fire-prone environment. While investigating the causes and learning lessons is essential, it’s crucial to exercise patience and avoid assigning personal blame hastily.
Criticizing Mayor Karen Bass for international travel, recklessly accusing individuals of arson, or concocting conspiracy theories about sabotage won’t quell a single flame, reconstruct a home, or resurrect loved ones. Just as in Halifax, there is no single person at fault.
Renowned for our creativity, resilience, and openness, Angelenos are challenged to demonstrate generosity in the aftermath of this devastation. And if you look carefully, you can see us doing just that.
It’s been 108 years since the Halifax Explosion, and none who lived through it remain. However, the Hydrostone neighborhood, rebuilt with American aid, still stands. Each winter, as the anniversary of the explosion approaches, Nova Scotians send one of their finest Christmas trees to Boston Common, symbolizing their lasting gratitude for the city’s assistance during their darkest days.
A century from now, how will the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires be remembered? By those we lost — and by those who came to help.
Ben Proudfoot is a filmmaker and founder of Breakwater Studios.
