Varnum Continentals

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[DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on The Halifax Disaster

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Halifax Explosion

In December 1917, a World War I ammunition ship blew up in Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia. This massive event was listed as the largest man-made explosion in human history prior to atomic weapons and totally devastated the city. Thousands died. Help from the military and civilian sources came from throughout Canada and New England. This event came to be known as The Halifax Disaster or Halifax Explosion.

Our December speaker, Varnum Member Greg Banner, will describe the background, event, response, and results and discuss aspects of military, nautical, local, and emergency response history.

Aftermath in Halifax, the start of rescue efforts
Looking north from a grain elevator towards Acadia Sugar Refinery, circa 1900, showing the area later devastated by the 1917 explosion
SS Imo aground on the Dartmouth side of the harbour after the explosion
Halifax’s Exhibition Building. The final body from the explosion was found here in 1919.
Vew across the devastation of Halifax two days after the explosion, looking toward the Dartmouth side of the harbour.
The explosion devastated a large portion of Halifax and part of Dartmouth
Greg Banner

About the Speaker: Greg Banner graduated from West Point in 1979 and served on active duty in the United States Army for 21 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He had duty assignments and deployments throughout the world, including in Central America, Europe, Africa, The Middle East and Alaska. He retired in Rhode Island and has been working in the emergency management field since 2000, first for the State of Rhode Island and then for the Federal government. LTC Banner’s academic focus through two masters degrees has been in military history, and he continues to actively study a wide variety of military history topics. He is a member of the Tiverton Yacht Club, Herreshoff Museum, and the Varnum Continentals.

Reservations are required!

RSVP by NOON Friday, December 9. Please note: Our new online reservation system gives you the option to pay in advance when you make your reservation. For all inquiries send us an email.

Click here to RSVP!

WHEN: Monday, Dec. 12, 5:30 pm (social hour); 6:30 (dinner followed by program).
WHERE: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI
MENU: Prime rib dinner
FEE: $25 per person
CASH BAR: wine, beer, and soft drinks only.

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At only $50 per person annually, membership keeps you in the Varnum loop and supports our efforts to preserve U.S. history and educate the public. Members get a monthly newsletter and can also attend our monthly dinner programs that feature authoritative and engaging speakers on historic and military topics. CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW!

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About the Varnum Continentals

The Varnum Continentals are committed to the preservation of the historic heritage of our community, our state, and our nation. Please take a virtual tour of our museums to learn more about our mission to encourage patriotism. You can participate with us through active membership and/or philanthropic support in our non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Museum tours are welcomed and our facilities may be rented for suitable events.

Our Mission

The Varnum Continentals are committed to encourage patriotism through the Varnum Armory Museum, the Continental Militia, and the James Mitchell Varnum House and thus to preserve, support, and communicate the military history of our community, our state, and our nation.

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