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The Bedford Magazine Explosion 18-19 July 1945
Even after the Allies had celebrated the end of the Second World War in Europe in May 1945, Halifax continued to be a critical wartime port. The Royal Canadian Navy had become one of the largest in the world. Following Germany's surrender, hundreds of Canadian ships from the European campaign began unloading their ammunition as they paid off crews in Halifax. Others cleared ammunition to make refits in preparation for deployment to the Pacific to fight Japan. The big complex of bunkers at the Bedford Magazine were soon filled to the brim. Piles of shells, rockets and depth charges were stored in outside stacks and stockpiled around the magazine wharf. On the evening of July 18, a fire started on the wharf [caused by a barge that was alongside] and spread to the stockpiled ammunition. A massive explosion was heard, followed by a chain reaction of explosions that lasted for 24 hours [18-19 July 1945]. One pile after another blew up as fires spread from bunker to bunker.
Contingency plans developed after the 1917 Halifax explosion were activated with much of north end Halifax evacuated. Remembering the devastation in 1917, thousands of residents of Dartmouth and north end Halifax chose to spend the night outdoors in parks. The quick action of fire crews prevented widespread devastation and contained the fire and explosions, managing to rescue thousands of depth charges before they went off. The determined and courageous battle by sailors against the flames and explosions helped restore the Navy's reputation after the violence and looting of the VE Day Riots a few months earlier.
Patrolman Henry Raymond Craig, a naval seaman on watch that night, was the lone death.
Damage to the city was limited to shattered windows and cracked foundations.
Armed forces teams still regularly discover and dispose of ammunition around Bedford and Burnside, flung far and wide by the blasts.
Source / Credit: TODAY’S FLAG, by Dan and Patricia on Instagram 18 Jul 2025
Bedford Magazine Explosion 18-19 Jul 1945 From the collection of George Smith, AB, RCNVR Courtesy of Matthew Smith
(RB028) On 16 Jul 1945, Raymond Burton was drafted to HMCS Fort Frances. Two days later, on 18 Jul 1945 a series of explosions at the Bedford Magazine rattled Halifax - which became known as the Second Halifax Explosion. Mushroom cloud rising from the Bedford Magazine From the wartime photo collection of Raymond Burton, RCNVR These photos are not for reproduction, distribution or sale Copyright Elizabeth Wagner
Article on navy casualties of the Bedford Magazine Explosion - Patrolman Henry Craig - Killed; Patrolman Thomas F. Hill - Injured // The Toronto Star, 21 Jul 1945, page 2
Explosion of munitions at Magazine near Dartmouth. Photos taken from Halifax, NS Jul 18-19/45 Photographer J.C.M. Hayward // Buckingham St
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