Big Explosion in Beirut Lebanon yesterday

[2LaneCruzer]

The one in Texas city started with a ship with a hold full of Ammonium Nitrate, with an adjoining hold full of elemental Sulfur. The Sulfur caught fire, set off the Ammonium Nitrate, which caused another ship to catch fire and explode and spread to some warehouses that exploded. That's what I recall when I researched it 40 years ago.

 

[wheelbuilder]

If I remember correctly, the ship in Texas City didn't explode all at once. The stuff in Lebanon did. One huge whomp.

There were 2 ships in Texas City, the Grandcamp and the High Flyer. The Grandcamp did most of the damage as the High Flyer was being towed out when it let go after being set fire by the Grandcamp.
Scary stuff.

 

[Diggin It]

You can't really compare the two though. TC started as a smaller incident, bringing two small fire departments to the scene. They were both virtually eliminated by the blast. TC also had refinery fires as a result and took a number of days to end it all.

Texas City disaster - Wikipedia

 

[ruffdog]

The huge grain silo(s) that was next to the blast was severely damaged too. I can't believe it is still standing. This means that the people will have limited food to survive. Medical supplies were also stored near the blast so hospitals are in need of....everything.

 

[MossRoad]

If I remember correctly, the ship in Texas City didn't explode all at once. The stuff in Lebanon did. One huge whomp.

One ship blew up and threw it's anchor across town. That started another ship on fire, and a bunch of other stuff. About 15 hours later the 2nd ship blew up, throwing its propeller a mile away. The first ship was full of ammonium nitrate, the 2nd ship had both ammonium nitrate and suffer...

Read this.... pretty detailed.

Texas City disaster - Wikipedia

 

[MossRoad]

The one in Texas city started with a ship with a hold full of Ammonium Nitrate, with an adjoining hold full of elemental Sulfur. The Sulfur caught fire, set off the Ammonium Nitrate, which caused another ship to catch fire and explode and spread to some warehouses that exploded. That's what I recall when I researched it 40 years ago.

I think you got the ships backwards. First one was all ammonium nitrate, 2nd one was that and suffer. Doesn't really matter, though, as it all blew up and almost 600 people died.

 

[dragoneggs]

First I have learned about the Texas City fire. I guess being 59.75 and born in the northwest I have an excuse. Sure am feeling for the people of Beirut. This will likely be an especially long recovery.

 

[Topzide]

What I can't figure is why it was taking so long to auction the load of nitrate and ship? Stuff has been there 5 yrs? Crazy to think that they would let it lay around a port with to many possibilities of something setting it off from the beginning!

 

[dragoneggs]

Very poor management for sure. Turn inventory, regardless... especially this!

 

[bcp]

I read that it was tied up in court proceedings. A ship was "abandoned" by broke owners, crew not paid, no money for port fees, etc. and the load was confiscated.

Bruce