Propeller Blown a Mile From Explosion

Texas City, Texas

One of the largest man-made non-nuclear explosions in history occurred in the port of Texas City. On April 16, 1947, a fire broke out on the SS Grandcamp, which, unfortunately, was packed with 2,300 tons of explosive ammonium nitrate. The ship blew up, which then caused other nearby ships to blow up, including the High Flyer, whose propeller became airborne and flew a mile before crashing here. At least 600 people died. The few surviving witnesses compared the scene of devastation to the firebombings of World War II.