Nova Scotia SPC Rescued Animals with Help from USA – Halifax Explosion

Photo from - The Appalling Disaster

December 6, 2019 marks the 102nd Anniversary of the Halifax Explosion.  The explosion happened after a munitions ship and a cargo ship collided in Halifax Harbour. Its force leveled a section of the city of Halifax called Richmond.  To commemorate this year’s anniversary and the tree lighting ceremony on Boston Common on December 5, this blog is in memory of the animals who suffered and the men and women who helped rescue and care for them.

Prior to the explosion, many families in Halifax owned dogs, cats, pigs, chickens, and/or horses.  My great Uncle Jimmy Landry’s future wife Margaret “Rita” Jordan and her family were living in Halifax on December 6.  Her father, Charles H. Jordan, owned a blacksmith shop with a stable of horses.

Following the explosion, the animals of Halifax would suffer similar fates to those of their owners - with some being maimed or killed.  The secretary of the Nova Scotia SPC (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty), Mr. Murray, having assessed the magnitude of the situation, asked the Massachusetts SPCA for help.  Their response came quickly with a donation of $1000 and the deployment of two of their officers to Halifax to help with the relief effort.  Mr. Murray, these two men, along with a team of relief workers. would seek out and rescue animals throughout the city and into outlying areas. Because of the financial generosity of animal lovers from both countries, they were able to purchase much needed food and building materials. Barns were built to shelter the animals. Feed was delivered to nourish them.

It would take my great Aunt Rita's father, Charles Jordan a month to find his horses, some of which had to be put down. More than likely,  his horses survived as a result of this relief effort.

Thanks to all the rescuers, many families and businesses were reunited with their animals.


Note:  I'm grateful for family members who shared the information about great Aunt Rita Jordan Landry's family experience during the Halifax Explosion and to Archibald MacMechan, Halifax Explosion Historian collection article - The Appalling Disaster at Halifax. — February 1918. — From "Our Dumb Animals" p133. Massachusetts S.P.C.A. sends aid for animals in stricken city. Reference: Archibald MacMechan Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 volume 2124 number 295

Tree lighting ceremony on Boston Common on December 5 at 6:00pm https://www.facebook.com/events/1342416552631546/

A little information about my great aunt:
Margaret "Rita" Jordan Landry
Born: July 2, 1901, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Canada
Married: Boston  MA on September 4, 1924 to Peter James "Jimmy" Landry - born September 9, 1901 in Cape Breton NS Canada.
Parents: Charles H. Jordan - born abt. 1871 and Ida May Horne, born abt 1879