Texas City Disaster
One of the worst disasters in United States history occurred at the docks in Texas City on April 16 and 17, 1947. The Texas City Disaster was caused by two explosions. The first occurred the morning of April 16, when a French ship loaded with ammonium nitrate exploded. The second occurred not long after midnight, when a second ship - also loaded wih ammonium nitrate - exploded as a result of the fire from the first explosion. Over 600 people died, and over 1,000 buildings were destroyed.
A 1.5-ton anchor was torn from from the French ship when it exploded. It landed landed 2 miles from the explosion site. [Moore Memorial Public Library, Texas City]
This five-story building next to the Texas City docks was destroyed. [Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries]
More information:
“The Texas City Disaster - April 16, 1947“
Wikipedia, “Texas City Disaster“
Archives of Moore Memorial Public Library
TIME Magazine, “Pluperfect Hell”, Apr. 28, 1947
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