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The Texas City Disaster Trivia Quiz

The disaster that struck Texas City, Texas, in 1947, claimed the lives of hundreds of unsuspecting citizens. It is a tragic story worthy of investigation.

A multiple-choice quiz by dmbfanatic. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
dmbfanatic

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
148,585

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
796

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. On which date did this tragedy occur? Hint

December 7, 1947

April 16, 1947

April 1, 1947

May 31, 1947

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Question 2 of 10

2. What was the name of the ship which caught fire and exploded causing the first wave of the tragedy? Hint

S.S. Galveston

S.S. Deutsch

S.S. Roosevelt

S.S. Grandcamp

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Question 3 of 10

3. What ship caught fire and exploded the day following the initial explosion? Hint

S.S. High Flyer

S.S. Thrasher

S.S. Prestige

S.S. Truman

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Question 4 of 10

4. What cargo were these ships carrying which made them so dangerous? Hint

Ammonium Nitrate

Nerve Gas

Bombs

Oil

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which chemical company had an entire facility destroyed due to the explosion? Hint

Monsanto

P.P.G.

Dow

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Question 6 of 10

6. How many people were officially listed as killed as a result of the disaster? Hint

576

352

750

400

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Question 7 of 10

7. How many bodies were listed as unidentified? Hint

150

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who was the primary source responsible for shipping ammonium nitrate through the port of Texas City? Hint

Monsanto

Atomic Energy Commission

France

United States Government

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Question 9 of 10

9. According to a majority of the experts on the disaster, what was the cause of the initial fire aboard ship? Hint

Sabotage

Fuel leak

Static electricity

Discarded cigarette

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. What was the amount of the settlement offered by the United States federal government for all claims during the Texas City disaster? Hint

$2.2 billion

$1 billion

$545 million

$16.5 million

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. On which date did this tragedy occur?

Answer: April 16, 1947

Prior to the explosion, many citizens had gathered around the dock area to witness the events of the day. The fire gave off a thick plume of orange smoke which was visible for miles.

2. What was the name of the ship which caught fire and exploded causing the first wave of the tragedy?

Answer: S.S. Grandcamp

The S.S. Grandcamp was owned by the French government. The explosion was heard as far 150 miles away, and it produced a tidal wave that swept 150 feet inland from the harbor.

3. What ship caught fire and exploded the day following the initial explosion?

Answer: S.S. High Flyer

The S.S. High Flyer caught fire as a result of the explosion from the S.S. Grandcamp. Attempts were made to tow the ship to sea in hopes of minimizing further damage. However, these attempts were futile. It is believed that the explosion of the S.S. High Flyer was more violent than that of the S.S. Grandcamp.

4. What cargo were these ships carrying which made them so dangerous?

Answer: Ammonium Nitrate

Ammonium nitrate is used in the production of fertilizer. It is also used in the production of nitroglycerin and other explosives. Ammonium nitrate was the main ingredient used in the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in April 1995.

5. Which chemical company had an entire facility destroyed due to the explosion?

Answer: Monsanto

Other companies in Texas City included Carbide and Carbon Chemical (Union Carbide) and Republic Oil. Monsanto owned one of the largest facilities near the dock. Like other dockside businesses, they had emergency plans for explosions, but these plans did not provide for a catastrophe of this magnitude.

6. How many people were officially listed as killed as a result of the disaster?

Answer: 576

576 dead is the official number listed on the monument to the disaster in Texas City. Of the dead, 398 were identified, and 178 were listed as missing.

7. How many bodies were listed as unidentified?

Answer: 63

The unidentified victims were buried in a cemetary and park in Texas City, which received a new addition in 1991.

8. Who was the primary source responsible for shipping ammonium nitrate through the port of Texas City?

Answer: United States Government

The United States government began shipping ammonium nitrate as fertilizer to Europe through Texas City in the spring of 1947. Public opinion at the time indicates that the general population was never informed of the potential for explosion.

9. According to a majority of the experts on the disaster, what was the cause of the initial fire aboard ship?

Answer: Discarded cigarette

It is believed that a dock worker's discarded cigarette was the most likely cause of the initial fire aboard the S.S. Grandcamp. The captain of the ship would not allow firefighters to spray water on his cargo. Thus, he utilized a steam-suppression system which may have facilitated the spread of the fire and accelerated the ensuing explosions.

10. What was the amount of the settlement offered by the United States federal government for all claims during the Texas City disaster?

Answer: $16.5 million

This seems like a very paltry sum compared to settlements of today. More than 3,000 lawsuits were resolved by 1956 through a special Act of Congress. These suits stemmed from the fact that the ammonium nitrate originated from U.S. military ordinance plants. All litigation stemming from the disaster was finally concluded in 1962.

Source: Author dmbfanatic

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Jim_in_Oz before going online.
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