The Exploding Whale of Oregon: A Disaster of Blubber
On November 9, 1970, a 45-foot-long, 8-ton sperm whale washed ashore in Florence, Oregon.1 Quickly, officials decided it had to be removed. So, they used dynamite to blow up the whale.
The Oregon State Highway Division tried to blow up the beached whale with a half-ton of dynamite. But, the blast sent whale parts flying over spectators and buildings, causing a panic.2 Some meat and blubber pieces were thrown as far as 800 feet away. The whole dramatic event was caught on camera, famously portrayed by a news reporter named Paul Linnman.
Key Takeaways
- A 45-foot-long, 8-ton sperm whale washed ashore near Florence, Oregon, in 1970, leading to a disastrous attempt to dispose of the carcass using dynamite.
- The explosion caused large chunks of blubber to rain down on nearby buildings and spectators, creating a chaotic and messy aftermath.
- The incident was captured on camera by a news crew, becoming a significant moment in news reporting history.
- The exploding whale event has since been immortalized in popular culture and commemorated with the creation of Exploding Whale Memorial Park.
- The incident led to a shift in protocol for dealing with beached whale carcasses, with burying them in the sand becoming the preferred method.
The Iconic Exploding Whale Incident
A Bizarre Attempt to Dispose of a Beached Whale
On November 9, 1970, a huge 8-ton sperm whale beached near Florence, Oregon. It was the3 Oregon Highway Division’s job to get rid of it. The whale was already stinking up the area.
The Oregon Highway Division’s Dynamite Solution
They talked to the U.S. Navy and bomb experts. Then, they chose a wild plan: to blow up the whale. They hoped a big blast would scatter small pieces. This way, scavenger animals could eat them.3 George Thornton, an Assistant Engineer, led the plan. They ignored a warning that using a half ton of dynamite was too risky.3
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The Fateful Detonation
On November 12, 1970, at 3:45 pm, dynamite was set off. A crowd had gathered on the beach, not far from the whale’s body.
A massive 100-foot-high mix of sand and whale bits shot into the sky. Blubber pieces scattered in all directions.
Raining Chunks of Blubber
People yelled and fled as huge parts of the4 whale flew above them. A car was squished by some of the falling blubber.
Spectators Flee from Flying Whale Debris
After the4 explosion, people struggled to dodge the falling whale pieces. They were stunned by the unexpected danger.
Paul Linnman’s Unforgettable Narration
Paul Linnman, a KATU news reporter, gave a vivid report. He said the blast spread blubber more than anyone could imagine.4 His description painted a vivid picture of the beach’s frantic scene that day.
“The Exploding Whale of Oregon: A Disaster of Blubber Proportions”
In Florence, Oregon, a dead sperm whale was blown up with dynamite to get rid of it. This event was dubbed “The Exploding Whale of Oregon: A Disaster of Blubber Proportions.”5 The blast sent flaming whale bits flying into the air, hitting buildings and people below. This chaos was filmed by KATU’s Paul Linnman, his report vividly capturing the messy failure of the plan.5
The tale of blowing up beached whales, like what happened in Florence, has triggered debates.5 To mark the occasion, Oregon officials named a park after it. The Exploding Whale Memorial Park sits on the Siuslaw River in Old Town, Florence.5
The Oregon State Highway Division used a lot of dynamite, hoping to shred the whale enough for cleanup. But, the explosion flung whale parts everywhere, turning the area into a danger zone for watchers.5
This news-making explosion launched KATU’s Paul Linnman into the spotlight with his memorable report.5
StatisticValueVideo views on YouTube in 202018 million5Whale size45-foot (14-metre) sperm whale2Explosion distanceUp to 800 feet (240m)2Exploding Whale Memorial Park grand openingMay 2020, 113th annual Florence Rhododendron Festival2
Dave Barry’s Viral Syndication
In 1990, Dave Barry made a big splash writing about the exploding whale in Florence, Oregon. This story got a lot of people interested when it was shared in his column. He called his piece “Moby Yuck,” giving a detailed account that drew everyone in. It made people look again at the whale explosion and the messy blubber disposal fiasco.6
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A Column That Sparked Internet Fame
Soon, a shorter version of Barry’s story was online, on a bulletin board. Word spread fast, and the viral exploding whale video was born. Everyone was talking about the disastrous beached whale management and its attempt at explosive marine mammal removal.6 This made the Oregon whale event a big deal worldwide, marking it as a key moment in our shared culture.6
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The First Viral Internet Story
The story of the exploding whale took off, becoming one of the internet’s first big hits, through bulletins and early web platforms. People couldn’t stop sharing Dave Barry’s story and the KATU news footage. This event became a lasting part of our culture, loved for its uniqueness for years to come.6
Renewed Interest and Legacy
The exploding whale video, initially from KATU, later went viral. After a 2006 study, it was found to have 350 million views on various sites.7 It became a part of pop culture, seen in movies like Reno 911!: Miami and Swinging Safari.7
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The Exploding Whale Video Goes Viral
The whale explosion in Florence, Oregon, caught the world’s attention. The KATU news report became very popular, with a 2006 study noting 350 million views everywhere online.7 It marked an important moment when internet stories went viral like this.7
Immortalized in Popular Culture
References to the Florence explosion are found in movies up to today. Films like Reno 911!: Miami and Swinging Safari show its impact in pop culture.7 These mentions keep the exploding whale as a memorable event for many.7
Exploding Whale Memorial Park
In 2020, Florence, Oregon, named a park after the exploding whale. It’s called “Exploding Whale Memorial Park”. A plaque was also added to mark the 50th year since the event.7 This shows how important the exploding whale story is to the town’s history and culture.7
Other Infamous Whale Explosions
The incident in Florence, Oregon, is famous, but not the only whale explosion. In 2004, a sperm whale in Taiwan burst while it was being moved for a checkup. This accident covered shops and people with blood and guts.2
Whale explosions have happened in many countries. They include Canada, South Africa, Iceland, Australia, Denmark, and the United Kingdom.
Taiwan’s Sperm Whale Explosion
A sperm whale in Taiwan exploded on January 29, 2004, during transport.2 A big ship probably hit it, killing the whale. This caused the gas to build up inside the whale, making it explode. The blast covered nearby places with blood and guts, but no one was hurt. Researchers could still study the whale.
Accidental Bursts and Controlled Detonations
In countries like South Africa, Iceland, and Australia, they use explosives to sink whales. Sometimes, whales explode because gases like methane get trapped as they decompose. But today, officials try not to use explosions. They prefer to bury whale carcasses or let them decompose naturally. This is better than using explosions, like what happened recently on Oregon’s North Coast.2 If a whale’s body is valuable for science, they may also choose to preserve it.
The Taiwan Whale Explosion of 2004
On January 29, 2004, a shocking event occurred in Tainan City, Taiwan. A sperm whale burst while being moved for a post-mortem check.8 The explosion was caused by gas inside the whale as it was decomposing. This gas buildup happens naturally. The whale had been injured by a big ship, which damaged its spine and killed it.8
The burst whale left a scene of chaos. Blood and body parts hit nearby shops, onlookers, and cars. Luckily, no one was hurt. The explosion didn’t stop scientists from doing a detailed examination of the whale.
Lessons Learned and New Protocols
The disastrous9 exploding whale event in Florence, Oregon changed how we deal with beached whale carcasses. In 1979, 41 sperm whales died on a beach there. Using dynamite to remove them was considered but quickly rejected. Instead, they were buried in the sand, a safer and better way to handle the situation.9 Now, Oregon’s policy is to bury dead whales where they strand. Or move them to a spot with deeper sand, if needed.
Burying Whales: A Safer Solution
The 19709 whale explosion in Florence, Oregon, brought about a big change. We now prefer to bury stranded whale carcasses in the sand. This is done where they are found or at a deeper beach if required.9 This approach is safer and more effective than using explosives. It avoids the mess and danger of the past.
The Legacy of Florence’s Infamous Moment
In Florence, Oregon, the exploding whale event has become a famous moment. It’s remembered in stories, popular culture, and the creation of the Exploding Whale Memorial Park. The KATU news video with reporter Paul Linnman’s voice is still watched today. People also talk about the event in news pieces, funny stories, and interviews.
Although the whale explosion caused a mess, it has made Florence known for this unusual incident.
The Exploding Whale Memorial Park opened 50 years later. It was supposed to open in May at the 113th Florence Rhododendron Festival.2 Through a survey, it was named “Exploding Whale Memorial Park.” This name was liked much more than other options such as “Rolling Tides Community Park” and “Dune View Park.”2
In some places like South Africa, Iceland, and Australia, they use controlled explosions to get rid of whale bodies.2 Yet, after the trouble in Oregon, people prefer to bury whales safely instead. This is seen as a better way to handle the situation.2
IncidentLocationDetailsExploding Whale IncidentFlorence, Oregon
- A 45-foot sperm whale was blown up with half a ton of dynamite in 1970 to dispose of its rotting carcass.5
- The explosion scattered whale remains up to 800 feet away.2
- The incident was caught on film by a news crew and has become a viral and infamous moment.5
Taiwan Sperm Whale ExplosionTainan City, Taiwan
- A decomposing sperm whale burst while being transported on a truck to a university lab in 2004.2
- The explosion resulted in blood and entrails splattering on store fronts and spectators.2
The exploding whale event in Florence, Oregon, has left a lasting impression. Despite efforts in other places to use controlled explosions, the event’s bad outcome has changed how we dispose of beached whales. Now, experts prefer the safer method of burying the animals.
Conclusion
The exploding whale in Oregon in 1970 is now a big part of the state’s history. It all started when the Oregon Highway Division tried to blow up a dead whale with dynamite. This plan backfired, and pieces of blubber landed everywhere, including on buildings and people who came to watch.10 However, this event didn’t just fade away. Instead, it became famous around the world through the internet, marking it as one of the first viral stories. Because of this, Oregon changed how it deals with beached whale bodies, opting for a safer way — to bury them in the sand.10 The exploding whale is now a story everyone knows about, acting as a warning and still fascinating people today.
The story of the exploding whale has become a key moment in Oregon’s past. This event showed the trouble that can come from making bad choices about nature. Even though the aftermath was horrible, the event got a life of its own, making people remember Florence for this strange and infamous event.
The exploding whale story keeps teaching us to plan well and think about our environment. It highlights the need to treat nature with care and learn from our mistakes. The interest in this event, both through online sharing and cultural references, shows that this legend will never be forgotten.
FAQ
What happened in the infamous exploding whale incident in Oregon?
On November 9, 1970, a 45-foot-long, 8-ton sperm whale washed ashore near Florence, Oregon. The state’s road team thought they could solve the problem by blowing it up. They used dynamite to break apart the huge whale.
Instead of solving the dead whale issue, the explosion became a big problem. Blubber pieces flew into the air and onto people and cars nearby.
Who was responsible for the whale explosion and what was the plan?
The job of removing the whale was given to the Oregon Highway Division, now known as the Oregon Department of Transportation. They planned to use dynamite to get rid of the whale. The hope was that this would make the pieces small enough for other animals to eat.
How did the explosion unfold, and what was the aftermath?
On November 12, 1970, at 3:45 pm, a huge dynamite blast broke the whale into large, flying chunks. A crowd had gathered to watch, but they were not prepared for what happened next. Chunks of blubber flew everywhere, including over a car that got squashed beneath the falling fat.
How did the incident become known and immortalized?
The story of the exploding whale in Florence, Oregon, made it famous as “The Exploding Whale of Oregon: A Disaster of Blubber Proportions.” This event was caught on camera by KATU news and shared widely. Later, clips of the news footage became a popular video online, turning the event into a part of popular culture.
How did the story spread and gain widespread attention?
In 1990, humorist Dave Barry made the tale of Oregon’s exploding whale famous in his column, “Moby Yuck.” This made the incident known to a much wider audience. A shorter version of his column, known as an abridged version, was shared on early internet forums. This helped spread the story fast, making it one of the first viral stories on the web.
Have there been other infamous whale explosion incidents around the world?
Yes, beside Oregon’s famous blowup, other whale incidents have occurred around the world. In Taiwan, 2004, a sperm whale burst while being moved, spraying people and shops with gore. Other instances of whales exploding without human interference have been noted, as well as cases where people deliberately used explosives to handle the dead bodies.
How did the incident lead to changes in the way beached whale carcasses are handled?
The Oregon explosion drastically changed how authorities deal with beached whales. After the dynamite debacle, a new method was needed. This was shown when 41 sperm whales beached themselves. This time around, in 1979, dynamite was not considered.
Instead, they chose to bury the carcasses in the surrounding sand. This practice of burial in deep sand is still used today in Oregon if a whale happens to beach and occasionally elsewhere around the world.
Source Links
- https://nedhickson.com/2015/05/22/7961/
- https://www.earthtouchnews.com/oceans/whales-and-dolphins/blast-from-the-past-newly-named-park-honours-oregons-exploding-whale
- https://ca.movies.yahoo.com/news/wildlife-experts-abandoned-washed-whale-064501018.html
- https://web.stanford.edu/class/archive/cs/cs110/cs110.1214/lecture-examples/map-reduce/long-novels/moby-dick.txt
- https://www.theinertia.com/video/whale-carcass-explosion-caught-on-camera-in-california/
- https://stacks.stanford.edu/file/druid:jp227bt6956/LeBlanc Dissertation Final-augmented.pdf
- https://orionmagazine.org/article/state-of-the-species/
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/truth-about-energy/out-with-the-old/A56E3FB336D1B7C306A1814A2AAEA92C
- https://uk.whales.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2018/08/Welfare-implications-of-modern-whaling.pdf
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/whales-shipping-ninety-percent-of-everything-excerpt/