Wow, that has got to be in the running for "Record Thread Resurrection", nearly 6 years.
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Wow, that has got to be in the running for "Record Thread Resurrection", nearly 6 years.
I've been waiting for the press to make the obvious connection to Halifax Harbour 1917 but alas, collectively, I guess they're not that bright :( The equivalent of 3000 tonnes of TNT was sure a 'big bang' and the largest non nuclear explosion ever.
Deano :(
Yes, that was indeed a horrific tragedy.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeanoH
Many of the surviving victims of the Halifax blast lost their eyesight due to flying glass.
A couple of factors I've heard mentioned by those that know better than me (ie dudes who blow things up for a living, or investigate the remains).Quote:
Originally Posted by ramblingboy42
Apparently long term storage in an uncontrolled environment causes the prills to absorb/release moisture as the absolute humidity changes, which causes the whole lot to powder, pack and harden over time. That explains the potential for packing.
Long term storage in an uncontrolled environment can also lead to contamination of parts of the bulk which can sensitize it, although I'm led to understand it remains a secondary explosive still requiring an effective primer to set it off. Can't quite see myself how you could contaminate 2750 tonnes of the stuff with the right proportion of contaminants, but then I'm not the chemist and I know that improperly formulated explosives based on nitrates can still be pretty effective.
Reports indicate there were fireworks stored nearby, and examination of the various footage sources pre-detonation would bear that out. It's not inconceivable (although I would have thought pretty improbable) that something bigish got loose and into enough of the mass to prime it up.
Despite the conspiracy theorists going off in a multitude of directions, it does look for all intents and purposes to be a tragic but spectacular accident. I've been to that part of Beirut. I find it hard to believe there are only 4000 injured.
The other oddity is I saw one news report that stated it was confiscated high explosive. Perhaps it was already mixed with the right hydrocarbons and ready to go, having sat for 6 years quietly packing itself down.
is it too early for jokes or should i let the dust settle first?
The Beirut explosion was reported to be 2,750 tonnes of Ammonium Nitrate. Stored on Koorangang Island , in the heart of Newcastle, is 6,000 to 12,000 tonnes of Ammonium Nitrate. If nothing else, this information may make Koorangang Island a prime terrorist target.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tote
Beirut explosion raises fresh concern about Newcastle's much larger ammonium nitrate stockpile
Droll Eevo,
well we we did have jokes about a crucifixion ,a carpenter walking on the sea, NASA, Biafra ,and the good ship Titanic , and circumsion, so I for one won’t be offended.
The proverbial ‘busy as a one-armed Beruit bricklayer’ did spring to mind.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eevo
But it's Newcastle - who'd bother? [bigwhistle]Quote:
Originally Posted by bob10