It is 8:55 and we are ready to board the bus for a tour of
Halifax Maritime Museum and wharf…….but
where is it?? {it was only a few
minutes late}
First stop on tour
First order: Freznel
Lense from Sambro Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse {1758} in North and South
America.
One section of the museum covered the sailing history.
Another section covered the steamship history.
Yet another section covered the sinking of the Titanic and
the part Halifax played in the recovery and burial of the bodies.
Lounging on the deck of the Titanic the day before the
tragedy of April 15, 1912, 2:20 a.m.
Special exhibit on the War of 1812: the Canadians say they won, Americans say
they won. Clearly the British did not
win, but the Native Peoples lost the most.
Busy Halifax harbor before the horrific explosion on Dec. 6,
1917, at 9:05 a.m. when the munitions ship the Mont Blanc collided with the Imo,
and leveled 2 square miles of the harbor.
Halifax harbor area after the explosion, which was the
biggest man-made explosion before Hiroshima, and is now still the second
largest.
Outdoor exhibit at the museum : the CSS Acadia, a hydrographic mapping
scientific vessel.
Very latest scientific equipment for charting ocean
depth. This vessel was key in charting
the Hudson Bay, St. Lawrence Gulf, and St. Lawrence River.
Next stop, sailing the bay aboard the tall ship, Silvia.
Here we are at sail.
The Silvia was used to transport coal during WWII and was in demand, as
gasoline was in short supply.
The Adventure Caravans “crew” helps hoist the main sail.
Next stop on the Halifax tour was the Nova Scotia Crystal
Factory. There is a rumor that a few
ladies bought some beautiful crystal pieces.
Who will be buying this piece of crystal when he is
finished? This is the only factory in
No. America that manufactures lead crystal.
Theodore Tugboat gives his fans a ride around the harbor.
Last stop for the day was at the brewery.
Tour guides were dressed in 1800 period costumes and
presented the history of the brewery.
After the tour everyone got to taste generous portions of
India Pale ale or two other brews.
Dancing and singing while we were enjoying our brew.
Home at last, after a tiring but satisfying day in Halifax.
Submitted by:
#15 Manni & Rich Ramondo
