Broadside: Halifax’s wartime pilot boat disaster

by Rick Grant

On a bitter winter night during the Second World War, a British freighter smashed into a Halifax Harbour pilot boat, sending nine men to their deaths. Drawing on interviews and years of meticulous research, Rick Grant uncovers the true story of what happened, and the official Canadian government cover-up that followed.



But the tragedy did not end with the sinking. Families of the lost men, including widows and fatherless children, faced both censorship and government apathy to get the compensation and truth they were owed.



Rick Grant offers a dramatic, evocative, and deeply researched account of a moment in history that still resonates today for readers of Second World War history, naval history, and those interested in the human cost of seafaring.

127 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2025

Reviews

[John Newton]

Borrowed this book from our local library because it told the story of a local WW2 tragedy that I had not been aware of. Frankly I found the book a bit of a disappointment. It was poorly edited and what should have been riveting was at points tediously related. It did succeed, however, in whetting my interest and I will try to find out more.

[Melissa McDonald]

As a great-granddaughter of one of the pilots lost, I very much enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about a tragedy that shaped our family history in a story like account. They were all so brave and resilient. Interesting research, thank you to the author.