[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by STEED

Britain's 'big bang' in Heligoland, 70 years on

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39590752

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

WOW!

That was a big bang! Also one I'd never heard of. Fascinating that they would do that. Looking at the modern video, I'm glad the island survived. Looks like a cool place.

Thanks for posting that, STEED.

I wonder how 6700 tons (per the video) compares to APR 16 1946's USS Grancamp fiasco: 2200 tons of ammonium nitrate with the initial blast and subsequent chain-reaction of further fires and explosions in other ships and nearby oil-storage facilities. It killed at least 581 people, including all but one member of the Texas City fire department ...and the nearby USS High Flyer. She was docked about 600 feet (200 m) away from the SS Grandcamp. The High Flyer contained an additional 961 short tons (872 metric tons) of ammonium nitrate and 1,800 short tons (1,600 metric tons) of sulfur. The Grandcamp explosion destroyed the Monsanto Chemical Company plant and resulted in ignition of refineries and chemical tanks on the waterfront. Falling bales of burning twine from the ship's cargo added to the damage while the Grandcamp's anchor was hurled across the city. Two sightseeing airplanes flying nearby had their wings shorn off, forcing them out of the sky. 10 miles (16 km) away, people in Galveston were forced to their knees.http://www.texascity-library.org/disaster/second.php