The Silvertown Explosion


The Silvertown Explosion

This is where Britain's biggest ever explosion occured in 1917.

Location: North Woolwich Road, London

Description: On Friday the 19th of January, 1917 at 6:52 pm a huge explosion ripped a large area of Silvertown from the face of the Earth.

The sound was heard and the shock-wave felt all over London and Essex, it was heard over 100 miles away as far as Southampton and Norwich, the fires that followed were seen 30 miles away from as far as Guildford and Maidstone.

In the crowded suburbs of Silvertown at least 73 people died and over 400 were injured. Up to 70,000 properties were damaged with over 500 destroyed.

The blast was heard up to 100 miles away and is cited in physics textbooks to illustrate the manner in which sound is transmitted.

Themes: DisasterDisaster Theme  IndustryIndustry Theme
The Silvertown Explosion

This is where Britain's biggest ever explosion occured in 1917.

Ranking This Month: 1085/3024

Pages Hit This Month: 62


Credits: http://www.portcities.org.uk
http://www.lalamy.demon.co.uk/sivex.htm

1» I am following up my mothers autobiography, in which she describes how she was blown across the street by the explosion. Her little sister got left behind, but her Mum hit my Mum for letting go of her sisters hand. They were living in a shop in the East End at the time. All the windows got blown out along their street. She was very scared when she saw the strange light in the sky. (Angela Diamond)
Posted by Angela Diamond on 2008-01-18

Your Comments:

Name:
Email:
Your email will ONLY be used once, to confirm the publication of your comments. We value your contribution and privacy.

Anti-spam Security: Please enter this code:


Other places nearby:


Spanish Rooms Fire», 6.2km

Edgware Gas Explosion», 14.km

Titanic survivor Harold Bride», 6.7km

Houses Collapsed into Hole», 7.2km

Ronan Point Collapse», 0.6km

Grenfell Tower», 9.9km

The Princess Alice Disaster», 3.1km

Green Jackets Bandstand bomb», 7.5km

Blow Up Bridge», 7.9km

1867 Ice Skating Disaster», 7.6km

Location Pinpointed:


Open Street Maps», Google Maps»