"Where in North America?" --- Section III

[CalOldBlue]

Shipping can be hazardous to your health. In WWII, the "service" with the highest casualty rate was the Merchant Marine. Obviously for reasons other than weather, but....

For another amazing disaster at sea, do a google image search on "Hanjin Pennsylvania". Spectacular explosion/fire in the Indian ocean... burned practically to the waterline but somehow kept afloat and was towed back to Singapore. There WERE some deaths associated with this one.

I don't think they ever identified what went off; chemicals or undeclared fireworks. Per regulations, fireworks and other explosive items must be loaded above deck, so if the worst happens, the ship's structural integrity can survive. This was something that ignited in a hold just ahead of the superstructure.

The Hanjin Pennsylvania and the APL China are both post-Panamaxes, about 900 feet long or so. They are rated by the number of 20' long containers they can carry, in this case about 5,000 (although most containers are 40', so in reality about 2,500 40' containers). There are vessels today that can carry almost 3 times this number; but the ports they can call are somewhat constrained due to the need for special cranes, docks, etc.

Looks like somebody either fibbed (to get a cheaper rate) or somebody mis-stowed a container.

There are some spectacular photos of the exposion and aftermath out there on the web.

Back to the topic at hand; I'm either going to need a clue or I'm going to start surfing (later today).

[Mark Sedenquist]

Hint: #2
It is in Washington, DC... The work therein began nearly 39 years ago...

Mark

[CalOldBlue]

That would be maybe EPA?

If this is correct, I have an old slide from that era I can offer up as the next opportunity.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Yep, December 2nd 1970 saw the official launch of the EPA and that photo is the HQ of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Good work!

mark

[CalOldBlue]

From 1970 as well. Hauled out my scanner and hooked it up; be afraid, be very afraid.

This slide has suffered some mold damage (the flecks), sorry for the quality.

Where is this, what is that guy wearing, and what is that stuff?


Photo: Don Casey

[Mark Sedenquist]

That would be tear gas.... I wonder if I was here then? The last time I can remember getting gassed was in 1972....(By the way, I don't recommend the experience, it really is nasty stuff), But I might have been visiting for this event...

Those steps look like the front of the Administration Building...

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

I was going to go with another building, but I thought it might be time for something that looked slightly more natural....

(Photo by Gerald Thurman)

Where is this? What is it? And why is it historically significant?

@Don -- yeah, scanners are scary....

[Foy]

I'm saying Berkeley, CA; gas mask; and tear gas.

Foy

[Foy]

Shipping can be hazardous to your health. In WWII, the "service" with the highest casualty rate was the Merchant Marine. Obviously for reasons other than weather, but....

For another amazing disaster at sea, do a google image search on "Hanjin Pennsylvania". Spectacular explosion/fire in the Indian ocean... burned practically to the waterline but somehow kept afloat and was towed back to Singapore. There WERE some deaths associated with this one.

I don't think they ever identified what went off; chemicals or undeclared fireworks. Per regulations, fireworks and other explosive items must be loaded above deck, so if the worst happens, the ship's structural integrity can survive. This was something that ignited in a hold just ahead of the superstructure.

The Hanjin Pennsylvania and the APL China are both post-Panamaxes, about 900 feet long or so. They are rated by the number of 20' long containers they can carry, in this case about 5,000 (although most containers are 40', so in reality about 2,500 40' containers). There are vessels today that can carry almost 3 times this number; but the ports they can call are somewhat constrained due to the need for special cranes, docks, etc.

Looks like somebody either fibbed (to get a cheaper rate) or somebody mis-stowed a container.

There are some spectacular photos of the exposion and aftermath out there on the web.

Back to the topic at hand; I'm either going to need a clue or I'm going to start surfing (later today).

For years I've enjoyed www.cargolaw.com for photos and expert commentary on transport/shipping incidents.

Foy

[CalOldBlue]

For years I've enjoyed www.cargolaw.com for photos and expert commentary on transport/shipping incidents.

Foy

Yeah, I've followed that one for years; hilarious photos of major "oops" in transport. Including the APL ship that decided to beach itself in Ensenada.

D'oh! "Site" not "sight" (in subject)