Texas City Disaster by kendra https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep By: Haileah Parker and Kendra Yocum en-us 2017-11-06 15:41:58 UTC 2025-12-08 13:25:47 UTC hello@padlet.com On April 16th, 1947 at 9:12am the largest non-nuclear explosion occurred in Texas City, Texas. It was estimated that 500-600 people died and over thousands were injured. 28 members of the fire department were found dead. kdyocum1 https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/203943281 2017-11-06 15:44:29 UTC https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/203943281 The SS Grandcamp was being loaded with ammonium nitrate, which is a type of fertilizer, in part of the Grandcamp. A fire then erupted and caused the fertilizer to explode. The explosion caused a 15 foot tidal wave that flooded the surrounding area and destroyed docks. kdyocum1 https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/203946498 2017-11-06 15:49:29 UTC https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/203946498 On April 17th the Highflyer, another ship loaded with ammonium nitrate fertilizer, drifted towards the fire of the Grandcamp and caused the fertilizer to explode on the Highflyer. The Longhorn Barge was lifted into the air and landed 100 feet away on land. kdyocum1 https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/203948721 2017-11-06 15:53:06 UTC https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/203948721 The workers who were loading the SS Grandcamp saw the fire near the hull of the ship. They tried to put it out but were unsuccessful, the fire then spread to the fertilizer and caused the Grandcamp to explode. kdyocum1 https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/203952114 2017-11-06 15:57:53 UTC https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/203952114 40 miles North in Houston people's windows were shattered and 250 miles away people in Louisiana felt the shock. Wooden buildings near by were completely flattened. The U.S army, navy coast guard and marine reserver sent doctors, nurses, and ambulances to help with the disasters damages. kdyocum1 https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/204412812 2017-11-07 15:48:56 UTC https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/204412812 The high school gymnasium was used as a morgue for the time being. McGar's Garage was used as an embalming room, which is a room used to prepare the dead. Local and student dentists helped identify people by using dental records. The work of identifying bodies went into mid June of 1947. kdyocum1 https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/204417069 2017-11-07 15:54:59 UTC https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/204417069 Dock fires were fairly common in Texas City, many people would go to the docks and watch the fire. The disaster caused the quality control officials to make new standards for the transportation and disposal of ammonium nitrate fertilizer. kdyocum1 https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/204420134 2017-11-07 15:59:16 UTC https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/204420134 kdyocum1 https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/204654585 2017-11-08 02:33:58 UTC https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/204654585 Parts of the ship's cargo and dock equipment flew into buildings, houses, and businesses. Flaming debris triggered several fires nearby. The blast was registered in states as far away as Denver, Colorado. kdyocum1 https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/204655353 2017-11-08 02:40:12 UTC https://padlet.com/kdyocum1/a8z8mf2yr9ep/wish/204655353