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The Day Oregon Blew Up a whale
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A beached whale carcass presented a unique problem for Oregon state officials in November 1970. Their solution, now infamous, involved using dynamite. The resulting explosion, captured on video, became a viral sensation decades later, and remains a bizarre chapter in Oregon’s history.
The whale, a thirty-nine-foot sperm whale, washed ashore on the Oregon coast near Florence. Removing the massive animal proved difficult and costly. Traditional methods, like towing it out to sea, were deemed impractical.
Did You Know? The initial estimate for conventional removal of the whale was around $75,000 – a meaningful sum in 1970.
A Novel, and Explosive, Solution
Captain William J. Huggins of the Oregon Highway Division proposed a radical solution: detonate a half-ton of dynamite next to the whale.The idea was to reduce the carcass to smaller pieces that the ocean currents could disperse. The Oregon Department of Transportation, believing it the most cost-effective option, approved the plan.
On November 12, 1970, the detonation took place. The explosion was far more dramatic – and messy – than anticipated. Instead of being blown to bits, the whale was largely dismembered, sending massive chunks of blubber and flesh raining down on onlookers and nearby vehicles.
Pro Tip: The incident highlights the importance of thorough risk assessment, even when considering unconventional solutions.
The explosion caused minimal injuries, thankfully, but significant damage to vehicles and a considerable cleanup effort. The event was documented by local news station KATU, and the footage has as become a viral phenomenon, notably on platforms like YouTube.
The “Exploding Whale” incident serves as a cautionary tale about unintended consequences and the challenges of wildlife management. It’s a story often retold, demonstrating how a seemingly logical solution can go spectacularly wrong.it was a rather spectacular sight
,remarked a witness to the event.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 1970 | Whale beaches near Florence, Oregon |
| November 12, 1970 | Dynamite detonation of whale carcass |
| 2020 | 50th anniversary; renewed viral attention |
– The Register-Guard
The incident continues to fascinate and amuse, reminding us that sometimes, the most straightforward solutions are not always the best.
Context and Ongoing Relevance
The Exploding Whale incident remains a popular example in discussions about risk management, environmental policy, and the unpredictable nature of large-scale interventions. It also highlights the evolving understanding of whale behavior and the importance of humane disposal methods for marine mammals.Modern approaches prioritize natural decomposition or specialized removal techniques,avoiding the destructive methods employed in 1970.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What kind of whale exploded in oregon? A thirty-nine-foot sperm whale was the subject of the explosion.
- Why did Oregon officials blow up the whale? They deemed it the most cost-effective method of disposal at the time.
- Was anyone injured in the exploding whale incident? fortunately, there were no serious injuries, though vehicles were damaged.
- Where can I watch the video of the exploding whale? The footage is widely available on YouTube and through news archives like
