Gibson Girls of Cape Breton - Which one was injured? – Halifax Explosion

Photo by timkraaijvanger 

As I’ve work on my family’s memoir, A Picture on the Wall, there have been many unanswered questions like this one, “Which of the Gibson’s girls, Mary or Vernetta, were injured in the Halifax Explosion?"  If after reading about them below, you think you know or have an idea of  how I might find out, I’d appreciate your sharing either in Comments below or on Facebook.

In a conversation with my great Aunt Anna Bella Landry, she told me about her home at 38 Union Street and mentioned the people in the house at the time of the explosion. Not everyone survived, but “… the other woman with two children, they come from the second floor down to the basement and they got out.” Thanks to the help of family members and research, I’ve discovered that the woman and two children were Alice (Robertson) Gibson and her two daughters, Mary and Vernetta.

At 38 Union, the Gibson family - Joseph, Alice, Mary (about age 3) and Venetta (0-1) had recently moved in and lived upstairs across the hall from Daniel Landry and his pregnant wife Annie (Adams) Landry and their 18-month old son Clarence. Daniel’s father and siblings lived downstairs.

On the morning of December 6, 1917, Daniel Landry’s sister, 14-year-old Anna Bella Landry was at home on the first floor, doing household chores.

This was the morning of the Halifax Explosion.  To get perspective, I’ve interviewed family members and done extensive research. From this, it seems likely that after the two ships collided and the Mont Blanc caught fire and drifted into Pier 6 and about the time that barrels of Benzol heated up then exploded like rockets into the air, Alice probably looked out the window and thought the ship was about to blow up.  She better get herself and the girls out.  Alice then would have grabbed her two girls, brought them into the hallway then knocked on Annie’s door urging her to get Clarence and head out, because they were in danger.   Annie chose to stay and pray instead of leave.

This time of the morning was probably Annie’s usual prayer time and the possibility she could have seen the initial collision and a smaller fire,  she might have figured the fire would be out shortly like usual. 

Alice then took her girls and headed down the stairs as the Mont Blanc exploded.

The force of the blast shot Anna Bella’s limp body out of one side of the house then buried it under shattered pieces of their destroyed home mixed with fragments from the ship. The other side of the house imploded forcing everything within it downward.  In an instant - Annie, the child within her, and son Clarence were under debris in the basement not far from an overturned coal stove.  Somehow Alice and her girls wound up in a space below the foundation where she was able to get the girls out, but one of the girls was bleeding, she was badly cut about the head with shards of glass sticking out around it.

Sadly, Annie, her unborn child, and Clarence didn’t make it out.  (From Dispair to Hope)

Rescue workers were able to dig Anna Bella out.  Though injured, she’d live into her 100’s. (A Picture on the Wall)

After a short stay at Camp Hill Military Hospital, Alice Gibson and the girls went to live with her parents in River Bourgeois, Cape Breton.  Not long after, Joseph would join them.

According to medical records, the girl who was injured had four-inch and two-inch cuts around her head that had become infected and she would be scarred for life. Though there are several references in Halifax Relief Commission HRC#1960, the girl’s name was never mentioned.

If you know which girl was injured, or know a way of finding out, I'd appreciate your comments either here or on Facebook.

Genealogy information below:

Alice Robertson was born in 1894 in River Bourgeois, Cape Breton, Canada. Her parents were Andrew and Mary (Thibeau) Robertson.
Joseph Gibson was born about 1888 in Amherst, Nova Scotia to Thomas and Marie Anne (Thibeau) Gibson.
Joseph Gibson and Alice Robertson were married on 14 Feb 1914.
Around 1915 their daughter Mary Gibson was born.
Around 1917 their daughter Vernetta Gibson was born.

(Note: I’ve been unable to find Mary or Vernetta Gibson’s birth records and am using the 1921 Census to estimate their ages.) It might be helpful to know when they were born? 

Correction sense blog was posted: Joseph Gibson was born about 1888 in Amherst, Nova Scotia not in 1890 in Amherst, England - to Thomas and Marie Anne (Thibeau) Gibson.

From Despair to Hope – Halifax Explosion

Writing about the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion, in a memoir about my grandfather Joe Landry’s family, has been wrought with tragedy as well as triumph.  One of the worst tragedies and greatest triumphs, involved my grandfather’s slightly younger brother Dan Landry.

Thursday, December 6, 1917
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Photo by Cal Shook

In the early hours of the morning, at 38 Union Street, a 26-year-old Dan Landry and his 23-year-old wife Annie (Adams) had finished breakfast.  Their 18-month-old son Clarence is playing with a toy on the floor nearby.  Daniel and Annie are excited, they are expecting their second child.
Before leaving for work, Daniel kissed his wife Annie and then picked up little Clarence who had toddled over to him.  Little Clarence snuggled in as he was surrounded by his father’s muscular arms.  Life was good, as Dan said goodbye. He’s got a precious toddler, a loving wife, and a little one on the way.

Within hours everything would change.

Around 8:45 a.m. in the harbor below their home, there was an accident.   The Imo, a Belgium relief ship, collided with the Mont Blanc, a French munitions ship.  As they separated, the Mont Blanc caught fire and drifted toward Pier 6.  Its crew evacuated as the Imo maneuvered away.

At 9:04 a.m. the Mont Blanc exploded, leaving the Richmond district of Halifax, where Dan and Annie’s home was located, leveled.

Dan was working for Rhodes Curry Ltd, a construction and supply company at the corner of Windsor and West Young street, about a half mile from home.  Dan, unhurt by the blast, made his way through the devastation surrounding him and headed toward home.  When he reached Fort Needham,  he saw that his neighborhood was on fire.  By the time he made it to the area of his home, there was nothing left.  His search for his wife and children would leave him in despair.

In describing her brother Dan’s son Clarence, Anna Bella (Landry) Bradley said that he was, “…the sweetest little boy… He had curly blond hair and a sweet little round face. He was adorable.  And he could talk… …he could talk like everything. And my God, he was killed, too.” In regard to everyone located at 38 Union Street when the explosion hit, “…Annie was the one that was killed, Dan’s wife, and the children, two children, I say because she was pregnant with another one.”

How does a father, having lost his wife and children, go on?

I’m grateful that Uncle Dan found a way.

Hilda and Marie Landry, Myrtle Nicholson Landry,  Dan Landry
Note: Hilda and Marie are children of Dan and Myrtle Landry,

Hope arrived a couple years later when Myrtle Nicholson and he were married.  They had a large family and many grandchildren.  Though Annie, their unborn child, and Clarence are not forgotten, nor the pain their absence has brought, life and laughter have returned through the passage of time.

Note:  Upon further identification from Dan's family, the name "Myrtle Nicholson Landry" has replaced "Anna Bella Bradley Landry" and words "Anna Bella is Dan's sister." have been removed from the photo to the right.

Two-Thirds of the Way Through 1st Draft of "A Picture on the Wall" - Halifax Explosion Memoir

Photo Halifax Harbour - Cal Shook

This month marks the completion of about two-thirds of the first draft for “A Picture on the Wall,” a Landry family memoir about the Halifax Explosion.   My paternal grandfather Joseph's family.

Earlier this week, I emailed my editor, a section about three family members who witnessed the aftermath of the collision between the Imo and the Mont Blanc.  The three witnesses would bring this family narrative right up to the explosion.  For two of the witnesses, split second decisions would forever change each of their family's lives. 

When I entered my editor Sylvia Clark’s home, a couple days later,  she greeted me with, “This is your best piece yet.  It left me wanting more.” 

With the revisions that need to be made and the continual striving to write something worth reading, I realize that I have a way to go before I come close to the captivating words of a J.K. Rowling or a Stephen King.  My hope and prayer is to leave a lasting legacy. 

Update on the progress of “A Picture on the Wall"

CSS Acadia at Maritime Museum of Atlantic
-Photo by Cal Shook

To date there are 27 people, who end up in about 16 different locations just before the Mont Blanc explodes around 9:05am in Halifax Harbour.  Since I shared the Landry, Burke, and Myatt Family Chart in last month's blog, I’ve written about the three families who occupy 38 Union Street.  Just prior to the explosion, a young family, the Gibson’s move into the vacant upstairs apartment.  Brothers Joe (my grandfather) and Dan Landry, owners of the home, are thrilled that Joe Gibson wanted to rent the apartment..  On moving day, family members get excited as an accordion,a violin, and then the Gibson’s new piano are brought up the stairs.  Thoughts of foot stomping music bring a sense of joy, a welcome respite from reminders of war sitting in the harbor below.

The morning of the explosion brings chores for the Landry children on the first floor. The Landry family still grieves the loss of mother Charlotte who died in January and a brother Leo who died on the front lines the year before.  Youngest of the boys, Jimmy, does his best to cheer everyone with his fun loving antics.

This coming month, I’ll be finishing up 19 Stairs Street and will continue working my way through  other locations that I’ve started.  Well that’s all for now, better get back to writing.

Landry, Burke, and Myatt Family Chart: Halifax Explosion

Inspired by conversations with my editor,  Sylvia Clark,   I’ve created a chart  to make it easier for  readers to visualize the families that I’m writing about in a memoir called "A Picture on the Wall.". 

Along with the above chart, I was wondering if information included in the Legend below might be helpful. 

What do you think?  Should I include it?  Vote "yes" or "no" and/or comment in the section below or on Facebook.

A Walk in Fort Needham Memorial Park - Halifax Explosion Remembered

Artistically forged metal and stone structures line the walkways of Fort Needham Memorial Park - giving insight into the magnitude of loss as a result of the Halifax Explosion on December 6, 1917.

It's a cold December day in Halifax and my cousin Linda Landry Horne and her husband David are giving me a tour of this reverent and peaceful park.

The steep grade of the stairs leading to the summit is evident as the individual letters of the word "RICHMOND" lead the way toward the summit of Fort Needham Memorial Park.  

Photo by Cal Shook

Richmond is the area in the North End of Halifax that suffered the greatest loss and destruction from the explosion.

Linda's grandfather Daniel Landry (age 25) and my grandfather Joseph Landry (age 28) co-owned the family home, not far from the base of these stairs, at what was 38 Union Street in 1917.

Tall cut-out steel posts baring the names of  churches, schools, and businesses destroyed support the hand rail to the left of the stairs.

Photo by Cal Shook

At the summit is the Memorial Bell Tower.  It overlooks the section of the narrows in Halifax Harbor where a fully loaded munitions ship, the Mont Blanc and a Belgium cargo ship, the Imo collided causing the horrific explosion - the Halifax Explosion. 

Photo by Cal Shook

The Memorial Bell Tower's carillon bells were donated by Barbara (Orr) Thompson

in memory of her family, the Samuel Orr family, that perished during the explosion. 

Barbara was 14 years old at the time.

Anna Bella Landry Bradley, Linda's and my great aunt and one of Dan and Joseph Landry's younger sisters, was also 14 years old that fateful day. She too, would survive.

Heading down the hill are statistics etched in stone:

Photo by Cal Shook

1 in Every 10 Left Homeless.

1 in Every 10 Was Military.

Photo by Cal Shook

1 of  Every 5 Injured.

1 of  Every 25 Killed.

This was a beautiful yet humbling walk.  So grateful for family members Linda and David for this opportunity and their insights.

Do you have family members that were forever changed by this horrific explosion?
Have you had a chance to check out this memorial park?

Note:  Newspaper clippings and minutes for original planning and dedication in 1985
           Hope and Survival Quilt 

A Father's Love - Halifax Explosion

This year’s December 1st lighting of the Tree for Boston on the Common marks the 99th Anniversary of the Halifax Explosion.   I am eternally grateful for all the aid given by the Canadians, Americans, and other countries.  For without this life giving generosity many more would have died.  Thank you for the gift of family.

What follows is a short remembrance based on my great grandfather Michael Landry's experience.

9:00am
December 6, 1917
Halifax, Nova Scotia

It’s a warm beautiful sunny day in December.

Sixty one year old, widowed dad, Michael is at his job at the Round House about a half mile from home.

He’s walking toward a rust colored freight car parked next to an outbuilding.  His job is to clean the car. Michael walks between the building and the car, unlatches and slides open the door, then climbs in to assess what needs to be done.  Before he can open the door on the other side, he feels the ground rumbling.  As its force increases, he’s knocked off his feet.  The large metal box shakes violently.  There’s a deafening sound reverberating within its walls as Michael’s body is jostled about.  Abruptly it stops.  Silence.  

Shops C.G.R. adjacent to the Round House – Photo #36
(Halifax Relief Commission Photos – Mass. State library)

Lying on the floor, Michael lifts his head and turns toward the door.  The air feels heavy and it’s dark outside. Getting up, he makes his way to the door and climbs down.  As he rounds the car, he sees a debris field containing a mixture of splintered wood, glass fragments, and shattered equipment.   There’s a huge dark cloud hovering over the harbor.

My family, he thinks as he stumbles through the debris and heads toward home.    

Oh, God, my family, my two girls.  He starts running out of the yard.

C.G.R. Round House – Photo #41
(Halifax Relief Commission Photos – Mass. State library)

As he's running, he thinks about his two girls and how he'd hugged them before he left for work. 

He thinks about his older daughter, fourteen year old Anna Bella at home doing the household chores; something she's done since her mother's death in January.  Elizabeth, age eleven, is at school.

He continues to run. The usual landmarks are missing.   Somehow his internal compass takes over as he makes his way down what was Young Street to look for Elizabeth.  The time it takes him to reach St. Joseph’s School feels like an eternity. The closer he gets the worse it looks. Houses are in various stages of demolition.   

As he approaches the parishes block, he sees there’s no roof on the church and the walls are barely standing.   The school is a windowless bulged-out mess.  A set of stairs has collapsed, so he moves around the building to discover a few children and a couple nuns covered in blood with soldiers assisting them.  

"Has anyone seen Elizabeth Landry?" he asks.  

“She’s not here,” said Sister Cecilia.

Burnt District – Photo #16

(Halifax Relief Commission Photos – Mass. State library)

Michael heads down the hill.  He smells the burning ruins and flesh.  Human carnage is strewn about the ground with cries of anguish coming from under the wreckage.  Soldiers and civilians are pulling people from the rubble.   Fireman using their equipment are doing their best to keep the fires at bay, but there aren’t enough of them.  

He fears that Anna Bella may have perished. It appears that the area where the house stood is now totally burned. 

In front of  him, the injured are being loaded onto horse drawn carts and motor powered vehicles. Running from one to the other he checks for his two girls. It is hard to find them since most everyone is unrecognizable. He continues his frantic search.

  

Then he hears, "Papa, we're over here!" 

He turns to see two girls, seated and holding each others hands, on the back of a buckboard. One has a swollen face and is covered with blood and dirt.  The other is covered with plaster dust.  

"Anna Bella, Elizabeth!"

"Yes, Papa, it's us," says Elizabeth.

Michael moves to them and wraps them in his arms

----------------------
To read more about the family during the explosion at "A Picture on the Wall."

Permission granted for photos used in this blog:  Folder #17 Photos 1-79, MS Coll. 90 Massachusetts-Halifax Relief Committee Records. State Library of Massachusetts Special Collections.