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Robert Wampler "Exploding Whale" photographs, November, 1970
Overview of the Collection
- Collector
- Wampler, Robert
- Title
- Robert Wampler "Exploding Whale" photographs
- Dates
- November, 1970 (inclusive)1970-111970-11
- Quantity
- 8 negatives (1 folder)
- Collection Number
- PH1461
- Summary
- Negatives of beached whale on the central Oregon coast
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Access restricted: For terms of access, contact University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.
- Languages
- English
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
On November 9, 1970, a 45-foot, 8-ton sperm whale beached itself at Florence on the central Oregon coast. At the time, beaches were technically classified as state highways, and the disposal of the whale carcass fell under the jurisdiction of the Oregon Department of Transportation. After consulting with the U.S. Navy, the DOT decided to treat the whale carcass as they would a giant boulder and blow it up with dynamite. George Thornton, the engineer in charge of the operation, was warned by a military veteran with explosives training who happened to be on the scene that his proposed 20 cases of dynamite would be far too much for the job, that 20 sticks would do just fine. Thornton ignored his advice, and on November 12, 1970, at 3:45pm, the dynamite was detonated, throwing whale blubber over 800 feet in every direction and damaging the military veteran's car. The whale carcass, however, was only partially destroyed, leaving it to the Oregon Highway Patrol to remove the remains. It is now the policy of the Oregon State Parks Department to bury whale carcasses where they land, and if the sand is not deep enough, they are relocated to another beach. The photographs were taken sometime between November 9-12, 1970.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Photographs showing beached sperm whale with two small Volkswagen automobiles parked alongside it at Florence on the central Oregon coast.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
View the digital version of the collection
Restrictions on Use
Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Folder | item | ||
1 | 1-8 |
Beached sperm whale with two Volkswagen beetle automobiles
at Florence, Oregon.
Scanned from negatives.
|
November 1970 |
1 | 9 | Contact sheet of items
1-8
Scanned from negatives.
|
November 1970 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)