On the morning of December 6, 1917, a French munitions ship caught fire in Halifax Harbour. Train dispatcher Vincent Coleman learned the burning ship could explode. He was worried about the overnight passenger train from Saint John, carrying about 300 people, which was due to pass right by the harbour. Coleman had left his wife Frances and their two-year-old daughter Eileen at home that morning. Instead of running, he went back to his telegraph key and tapped out a warning: “Hold up the train. Munitions ship on fire and making for Pier 6… Goodbye boys.” Moments later the ship exploded, and Coleman likely died instantly at his post. His message stopped the other inbound trains and alerted the railway to the disaster.
