Fifty years ago these children lost their play house

geetrue · 09-17-08, 11:31 PM

http://www.sonicbomb.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=95&mode=&or der=0&thold=0

Quote:

On the afternoon of March 11, 1958, the children of the Gregg family were in their playhouse in the woods behind their house in Mars Bluff, South Carolina. About four o’clock they tired of the playhouse and moved 200 feet to the side yard. This kept them from becoming the first Americans killed by a nuclear weapon released on U.S. territory.

U.S. Air Force B-47E medium bomber serial number 53-1876A dropped its nuclear weapon in the woods behind the Greggs’ house at 4:19 P.M. The high-explosive trigger in the bomb blew up on contact with the ground, leaving a crater 50 feet across and 35 feet deep and injuring the three girls. All that remained of the playhouse were a few twisted shards of the corrugated metal that had been its roof.

B-47 Stratojet

baggygreen · 09-17-08, 11:56 PM

Isn't it always amazing how a simple decision like this can lead to a life saved or not..

bookworm_020 · 09-18-08, 12:23 AM

I'm sure the bombardier had a few drinks when he could after getting back on the ground!

One heck of a story to tell your class mates

"My tree house was taken out by a nuclear bomb!"

I wonder if the kids built a bomb shelter to replace their tree house?:hmm:

Platapus · 09-18-08, 05:45 PM

Wow that is some story. Thanks for posting it. History like that always makes for good readin.

I wonder if this incident gave the writers the idea for Major T.J. Kong's demise in Dr. Strangelove?

Etienne · 09-18-08, 09:04 PM

Woah woah woah...

They accidentally dropped a NUKE because someone used the emergency release as an handhold? Holy Safety Features, Batman!

Good thing the core wasn't in there, or it would have been one hell of a story.

geetrue · 09-19-08, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etienne

Good thing the core wasn't in there, or it would have been one hell of a story.

I didn't know they even kept the bad stuff somewhere else, that must have been the poor guys job that accidently dropped the bomb.

and yes I think the writer of Dr. Strangelove definitely picked up on this amazing true story.

09-18-08, 12:23 AM	#3
bookworm_020 Navy Seal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sinking ships off the Australian coast Posts: 5,966 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	I'm sure the bombardier had a few drinks when he could after getting back on the ground! One heck of a story to tell your class mates "My tree house was taken out by a nuclear bomb!" I wonder if the kids built a bomb shelter to replace their tree house?:hmm: __________________ "There is always one person in any organization who knows whats going on, That person must be fired"

09-18-08, 05:45 PM	#4
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,360 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Wow that is some story. Thanks for posting it. History like that always makes for good readin. I wonder if this incident gave the writers the idea for Major T.J. Kong's demise in Dr. Strangelove? __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

09-17-08, 11:56 PM	#2
baggygreen Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canberra, ACT, Down Under (really On Top) Posts: 1,880 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	Isn't it always amazing how a simple decision like this can lead to a life saved or not..

09-18-08, 09:04 PM	#5
Etienne Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 695 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Woah woah woah... They accidentally dropped a NUKE because someone used the emergency release as an handhold? Holy Safety Features, Batman! Good thing the core wasn't in there, or it would have been one hell of a story.