NOVA SCOTIA'S TITANIC CONNECTION
100 Years of Lasting Legacy ... 1912-2012
The world was stunned in 1912 by the loss of the liner Titanic on her maiden voyage. Halifax, Nova Scotia has one of the most moving and intimate connections with the Titanic disaster, playing a key role during the tragedy's aftermath and becoming the final resting place of many of her unclaimed victims.
Three Halifax ships were involved in the grim task of recovering victims - many of whom were laid to rest in three of our city's cemeteries. Rows of black granite headstones, each inscribed with the same date, April 15, 1912, are a stark reminder of the disaster.
Titanic artifacts at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic are a touching reminder of the ship's lost luxury, her violent end and the special role our port played as the enormity of the disaster unfolded. These artifacts were all pulled from the water within weeks of the sinking by ships from Halifax searching for Titanic victims. The exhibit features wooden artifacts collected at the scene of the disaster, including one of the only Titanic deck chairs known to exist.
Elsewhere in the city and across Nova Scotia one can experience reminders of Titanic and other courageous stories about our people and their intimate connection with the sea:
Ambassatours Gray Line offers a
Titanic 100 Year Tour which includes a visit to the final resting place of the Titanic victims. At the Bedford Institute for Oceanography, you can view an exhibit of what the titanic looks today lying on the ocean floor.
Nova Scotia Archives carries material including images, records and unique British magazines that are not digitized anywhere else on the internet. In April, additional information will be added to the existing online resource. You can view their virtual collections online.
The Five Fisherman Restaurant was once the John Snow & Co. Funeral Home. This funeral home made preparations for the wealthier victims including John Jacob Astor, a member of one of the wealthiest families of the United States and Charles M. Hayes, the president of Grand Trunk Railway.
Memorial services were conducted at five Halifax churches: Saint Georges Anglican Church, Saint Paul’s Anglican Church, Saint Mary’s Catholic Church and Brunswick Street United Church.
Halifax millionaire George Wright perished in the sinking. His ornate Edwardian mansion still stands on 989 Young Avenue at Inglis Street.
2012 is the 100th anniversary of the world’s worst ocean disaster.
Commemorative events and special exhibits are planned for 2012 including a salute to the RMS Titanic at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, an indoor spectacle featuring 2000 world-class Canadian and international military and civilian performers.
The Titanic Media Guide is nova available and can be found online at www.destinationhalifax.com/titanic, along with a new animated site map.
Keep in mind that this is a “living document” so check back periodically for updates and new information.
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