On this date 77 years ago the largest non-nuclear man-made explosion in the history of the world occurred in Texas City Texas.
My mom was 9 years old at the time and lived only 1/2 mile away. Her account is recorded along with other's in a book entitled, I Was There.
A ship was loaded with ammonia nitrate bound for France to help reestablish agriculture after the war. She told me today that the sky turned orange from the fire and civil defense sirens sounded as most of the town's people walked down to the dock to see the fire. Shortly after arrival, her mother remembered leaving the iron on and made them all return home. As they arrived, the ship blew up, caving in their house. She with her mother and sisters ran to the garage to drive to safety only to find a large piece of equipment believed to be a part of the ship had crashed in the driveway blocking escape. My mom remembers the piece being large and red hot but her mother somehow picked it up and moved it out of the way.
Approximately 600 died that day, some bodies never recovered. Multiple firetrucks vaporized. The ship's 2ton anchor was blown over a mile away.
My mom was 9 years old at the time and lived only 1/2 mile away. Her account is recorded along with other's in a book entitled, I Was There.
A ship was loaded with ammonia nitrate bound for France to help reestablish agriculture after the war. She told me today that the sky turned orange from the fire and civil defense sirens sounded as most of the town's people walked down to the dock to see the fire. Shortly after arrival, her mother remembered leaving the iron on and made them all return home. As they arrived, the ship blew up, caving in their house. She with her mother and sisters ran to the garage to drive to safety only to find a large piece of equipment believed to be a part of the ship had crashed in the driveway blocking escape. My mom remembers the piece being large and red hot but her mother somehow picked it up and moved it out of the way.
Approximately 600 died that day, some bodies never recovered. Multiple firetrucks vaporized. The ship's 2ton anchor was blown over a mile away.
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