SS High Flyer Propeller - Texas City, TX
Posted by: 
Raven
N 29° 23.530 W 094° 53.322
15R E 316722 N 3252918
This propeller, belonging to the SS High Flyer, is on display at a small memorial to the deadliest industrial accident in US history which occurred on April 16 and 17, 1947.
Waymark Code: WMWT1H
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 10/09/2017
Views: 3
The Texas City disaster was an industrial accident that occurred on April 16 and 17, 1947, in the Port of Texas City, Texas (USA). It was the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history and one of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever recorded.
It all originated with the April 16th mid-morning fire aboard a French-registered vessel named "SS Grandcamp" which was docked in the port: her cargo of approximately 2,200 tons (approximately 2,100 metric tons) of ammonium nitrate detonated, causing a chain-reaction of further fires and explosions at nearby oil-storage facilities and other ships in the vicinity.
The "SS High Flyer" was docked about 600 feet (200 m) away from the SS Grandcamp. It also contained an 961 short tons (872 metric tons) of ammonium nitrate and 1,800 short tons (1,600 metric tons) of sulfur, all of it destined to farmers in Europe.
The SS Grandcamp's initial explosion ignited the ammonium nitrate in the nearby SS High Flyer: its crews spent hours attempting to cut the cargo ship free from her anchor and other obstacles, without success. After smoke had been pouring from the hold for over five hours, and about 15 hours after the Grandcamp's explosion, the High Flyer exploded as well -- demolishing yet another nearby ship (the "SS Wilson B. Keene") in the process, killing at least two more people, and increasing the damage to the port and other ships with more shrapnel and burning material.
One of the propellers of the SS High Flyer -- the one on display at this memorial -- blew off at supersonic speed and was subsequently found nearly a mile inland. It was recovered and put on display in a memorial park, then subsequently moved to this particular location in 2012.
The propeller is cracked in several places, and one blade has a large piece missing.
For what use was your waymark originally intended?: Marine
What purpose does it serve today?: Historic/Educational
Explain any choices not listed above.: N/A
More on this waymark can be found here.: [Web Link]
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