Folk Figure. Coleman was a dispatch operator working at a Halifax, Nova Scotia, railroad on December 6, 1917. On that day, Coleman and his co-worker, Henry Dunstan got word that a ship carrying explosives was docked in Halifax Harbor. Without warning the munition ship exploded into flames a few hours later. After realizing what was going on the two men started to run off until Coleman remembered that there were two trains headed in their direction. As Dunstan left, Coleman stayed behind and tapped out one last message over his dispatch in order to try and stop the trains, if not, it would be a huge catastrophe. Coleman tapped out the message, 'Munition ships on fire. Making for Pier 6. Goodbye.' The trains were stopped thanks to Coleman's quick thinking. Not too long after the message was sent there was a huge explosion. The munition ship had not only caught on fire but had also exploded. Vince Coleman and 1,639 people died, while 9,000 were injured, and 200 blinded by flying debris and glass. Thousands of homes and land were also destroyed in the disaster. Over $35 million dollars in damages was done to Halifax. Thanks to Coleman his quick thinking and bravery saved lives, if not for him, the death toll would have been much higher.
Folk Figure. Coleman was a dispatch operator working at a Halifax, Nova Scotia, railroad on December 6, 1917. On that day, Coleman and his co-worker, Henry Dunstan got word that a ship carrying explosives was docked in Halifax Harbor. Without warning the munition ship exploded into flames a few hours later. After realizing what was going on the two men started to run off until Coleman remembered that there were two trains headed in their direction. As Dunstan left, Coleman stayed behind and tapped out one last message over his dispatch in order to try and stop the trains, if not, it would be a huge catastrophe. Coleman tapped out the message, 'Munition ships on fire. Making for Pier 6. Goodbye.' The trains were stopped thanks to Coleman's quick thinking. Not too long after the message was sent there was a huge explosion. The munition ship had not only caught on fire but had also exploded. Vince Coleman and 1,639 people died, while 9,000 were injured, and 200 blinded by flying debris and glass. Thousands of homes and land were also destroyed in the disaster. Over $35 million dollars in damages was done to Halifax. Thanks to Coleman his quick thinking and bravery saved lives, if not for him, the death toll would have been much higher.
Inscription
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
KILLED IN
HALIFAX DISASTER
ERECTED BY
HIS WIFE FRANCES A.
R.I.P.
Family Members
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