The Blind Mechanic

by Marilyn Davidson Elliott

Eric Davidson lost both eyes in the Halifax Explosion when he was two years old. Against all odds, he taught himself to become an auto mechanic and had a successful decades-long career as "one of the boys."

Eric Davidson was a beautiful, fair-haired toddler when the Halifax Explosion struck, killing almost 2,000 people and seriously injuring thousands of others. Eric lost both eyes?a tragedy that his mother never fully recovered from. Eric, however, was positive and energetic. He also developed a fascination with cars and how they worked, and he later decided, against all likelihood, to become a mechanic. Assisted by his brothers who read to him from manuals, he worked hard, passed examinations, and carved out a decades-long career. Once the subject of a National Film Board documentary, Eric Davidson was, until his death, a much-admired figure in Halifax.

This book does not gloss over the challenges faced by Eric and by his parents. Written by his daughter Marilyn, it gives new insights into the story of the 1917 Halifax Explosion and contains never-before-seen documents and photographs. While Eric Davidson has been mentioned in previous Explosion accounts, his story has never been told in such fascinating detail. Davidson overcame such odds that his life story might not seem believable if it had not happened.

Genres: Nonfiction, Canada, History

Audiobook

First published November 1, 2018

Reviews

[Sue Slade · Rating 5 out of 5]

In May of this year, The Blind Mechanic by Marilyn Davidson Elliott, went into its third reprinting by Nimbus Publishing. Winner of the Robbie Robertson Dartmouth Book Award for Non- Fiction in 2019, it is the inspiring story of Eric Davidson, who lost both of his eyes in the Halifax Explosion when he was just two and a half years old.

At shortly after 9am, on December 6th, 1917, Eric was looking out a window when the largest man-made explosion of the time happened. Shattered glass blew into his face and both his eyes. Dr. Dell, later that day, determined that his eyes could not be saved and surgically removed them. He was the youngest survivor of the explosion to have both of his eyes removed.

Written by his daughter Marilyn, it is a story of a man with a fascination with cars and how they worked, who taught himself to be an auto-mechanic against considerable odds. Assisted by his brothers. who read to him from car manuals, and his keen sense of hearing and touch, he knuckled down and passed all of his examinations. He successfully became a skilled and licenced mechanic in 1948, a career he enjoyed for twenty-five years.

The Blind Mechanic tells the fascinating true story of Eric Davidson, one of the most famous survivors of the Halifax Explosion. It chronicles his life from the time of the explosion and the loss of his eyes, to his education and graduation from The Halifax School for the Blind, where Marilyn says his independence thrived.

Marilyn covers the roadblocks and many obstacles into fulfilling his dreams of being a mechanic, his marriage to Mary Zinck (in 1950) and the raising of their three children, and his hobby of collecting and repairing antique cars. The book gives us insight and understanding into how Eric became such a valued member of the community despite society’s low expectations of the blind.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The remarkable story of a remarkable man. Eric Davidson was blinded in the horrific Halifax Explosion of 1917 when he was just two years old. As he grew older he became fascinated by cars and in spite of his disability overcame the considerable odds to become a qualified and skilled car mechanic. It truly is a fascinating story, ably told here by his daughter Marilyn. Fascinating reading.

[Kayla Hounsell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blind Mechanic is a deeply personal story told as only Marilyn Davidson Elliott could. You might think you know the impact of the Halifax Explosion, you might even think you know the story of Eric Davidson, but until you have read this book, you don't. It is at once heartbreaking, uplifting and profoundly inspiring, a true record of history for future generations.

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Halifax Explosion was a maritime disaster in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which happened on the morning of December 6, 1917. The Norwegian vessel SS Imo collided with SS Mont-Blanc, a French cargo ship with explosives, in Halifax Harbour. About 2,000 people were killed by the blast, debris, fires or collapsed buildings, and an estimated 9,000 others were injured.

Nearly all structures within half-mile radius, including the Halifax community of Richmond, were obliterated. A pressure wave snapped trees, bent iron rails, demolished buildings, grounded vessels and scattered fragments of Mont-Blanc for kilometres. Across the harbour, in Dartmouth, there was also widespread damage.

Relief efforts began almost immediately and hospitals quickly became full. Rescue trains began arriving the day of the explosion from across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick while other trains from central Canada and the northeastern United States were delayed by blizzards.

The blast was the largest man-made explosion at the time and in the North End of Halifax, there are several memorials to the victims of the explosion.

Eric Davidson (1915 - 2009) was two years old when this tragedy occurred. He was watching out the window when the blast happened. Shattered glass went into his eyes and the doctor determined that his eyes couldn't be saved. His eyes were removed and he was fitted with prosthetics. Quite an experience for such a young boy but he adapted. When he was old enough, he was sent to The Halifax School for the Blind for his education and to learn a trade. But he had an interest in cars and he really wanted to be a mechanic. After understandably being turned down by garages, Eric taught himself how to fix cars and with his keen sense of hearing and touch, developed a reputation of being an expert at repairing cars and was eventually hired on at garages, fulfilling his dream.

Eric would marry Mary and have three children. His daughter, Marilyn, is the author of this book. She tells of Eric's life ... his childhood, his marriage and raising a family, his hobby of collecting and repairing antique cars, the recognition of his achievements and goodwill, and more. With Eric's death in 2009, there was only one last survivor of the explosion still living.

I liked this book and found it interesting. Despite what had happened to him, it sounds like Eric was a happy helpful fella who didn't let his disability stop him. I liked the writing style ... it's told in a conversational manner. You should check it out if you would like to know how the Halifax Explosion affected a family and how they moved on from the experience. Plus it's a personal perspective on some Canadian history.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2019/12...

[Sue Danskin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable fast read. It made me want to read more about the Halifax explosion.

[Diana Hamilton-Rousseau · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blind Mechanic is the story of Eric Davidson who was became blind from injuries sustained in the great harbor explosion in Halifax Nova Scotia in 1917. The story goes into great detail how Mr Davidson coped with being blind while fulfilling his dreams to be a mechanic,marry and raise a family. Mr Davidson has been interviewed for numerous documentaries, and talk shows about his survival of the ship explosion that leveled his community and killed 2000 people and injured much more. Mr Davidson stays true to his ambition, goals and dreams despite societies low expectation for people who are blind. The Blind Mechanic is an interesting read and inspiring.

[Gemington · Rating 3 out of 5]

TW: explosion, blinding, maiming, mass casualty

This is a loving account of a man who lived a full life after the tragedy of the Halifax explosion left him blinded. This is a story about perseverance and love. While it frequently focuses on the remarkable nature of Eric Davidson, to me this story is also very much about the everyday triumphs of family and work life. Eric’s career as a licensed mechanic reveals just how important it is to dismantle barriers and give folks opportunities to thrive. Eric’s gifted hearing made him an asset to his employers and reveals the beauty that comes from a deep engagement with the sound we frequently fail to value in the world around us.

[Emma Barss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wholeheartedly enjoyed this book! I haven’t read enough local history despite being super interested in it. This was the story of a man who lost his sight as a toddler during the Halifax Explosion and went on to be a very successful car mechanic and valued member of the Halifax community, written by his daughter. It was a tale of overcoming obstacles and living outside of the limits of society’s view on disability. The Davidson family seems super sweet and I loved hearing about all the Halifax landmarks, businesses, etc. I found the narrator’s voice a little too ‘monotone’ for my liking, but I guess historical non-fiction isn’t supposed to be dramatic and enthusiastic, ha!

[Ken Snook · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was gifted this book by the authors husband. I had no idea Eric Davidson existed and its shameful on my part given i live in Halifax. I found this book to be very informative regarding the Halifax explosion and was amazed by Eric Davidsons feats. I also found myself trying to walk around in the dark on occasion trying to figure my way around a room. Its amazing to see what some of my senses have ignored for many years. Thank you Marilyn for this insight into your dads life.

[Chiyaa Pasal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story but found it rambled on innplaces. It went into a level of detail that, for me, detracted from the main storyline. That was unfortunate as the story of The Blind Mechanic is inspiring. It is a deeply personal story and that’s what may have been distracting for me. It is filled with many memories by the author and I was expecting a more concise focus on Eric, the blind mechanic.

[Sheri S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ - An inspiring story of a man who did not allow blindness to get in the way of him realizing his dreams. Eric Davidson was injured during the Halifax Explosion, one of the biggest tragedies in Canadian history. The book describes the terrible event and its impact on Halifax and neighboring towns. It focuses on Davidson and his extraordinary life of courage as told by his daughter.

[Kim Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating story about one man’s determination to live a full life in spite of a most difficult start. That said the later third of the book was as much about the author as her father, so I tended to begin to lose interest as a result.

[Cindi Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, great documentation of history of Halifax Explosion from a personal perspective

[Chequer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving book, but I do wish the audiobook pronounced street and community names properly.

[Carolyn Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be a well-researched biography about the author’s father. Eric Davidson’s determination to carve his own path, despite many obstacles, was an inspiration.

[Donna Flemming · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lovely story that will appeal most to those who are interested in the Halifax Explosion, or who grew up in the Halifax area during the 1950's and 60's. Lots of nostalgia here!

[Marky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was recommended this book by a neighbor who had met him. An interesting feeling to read about someone who lived on the same street as I did.

[Susan Clingman]

Amazing story

[Jeff Rowbotham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of a man blinded by the Halifax Harbor explosion of an ammo ship in 1917. Written by his daughter, who loved and admired him, she tells of his courage and humility as he lives normally without self-pity. Good man and his family revealed in a page turner.