Back in November 1970, a dead, 45-foot-long whale washed ashore on a beach in Florence, Oregon. Gray whale and humpback whale casualties from entanglement in commercial and tribal fishing gear have been a growing concern for federal officials, certain environmental groups and the fishing industry lately. Prominent Anti-Vaccine Pediatrician Dr. Paul Thomas Has License Suspended by the Oregon Medical Board, Oregon Governor Imposes Statewide “Freeze” to Curb COVID-19 Spread, Restricting Bars and Restaurants to Takeout Service, Some Oregon Republicans Are Reluctant to Reveal Their Thanksgiving Dinner Plans, Multnomah County Records 715 COVID Cases in Two Days, The 2022 Governor’s Race is Officially Underway: Dr. The 40-foot (12-meter) dead whale washed up Saturday, The Oregon ian/OregonLive reported. A widely reported case of an exploding whale occurred in Florence, Oregon in November 1970, when the Oregon Highway Division (now the Oregon Department of Transportation) blew up a decaying sperm whale with dynamite in an attempt to dispose of its rotting carcass. While alive when it first came ashore, the Sei whale was stranded by the tide and died Saturday evening. Sad. The explosion threw whale flesh over 800 feet (240 metres) away. Wow. However, the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 continues to makethis a very challenging time. Larry Bacon, 79, was a new reporter at The Register-Guard on that fateful day in 1970 when Oregon highway officials blew up a rotting sperm whale on a beach near Florence, Ore. It’s been 50 years since the Oregon State Highway Division famously blew up a beached, dead sperm whale in a debacle that led to raining chunks of … The need for strong, independent local journalism is more urgent than ever. In November 1970, the town of Florence, Oregon decided to blow up an 8-ton whale carcass that had washed up on the beach. Funny. A necropsy will be led Sunday, September 6 by Oregon State University, World Vets, and Sealife Response, Rehabilitation and Research. For the blast blasted blubber beyond all believable bounds.". A spokesperson for the Oregon State Parks Department, Chris Havel, says there are no plans to do anything with the carcass. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department says based on its size, it was a male, but not yet fully-mature. "Exploding Whale Memorial Park" in Florence, Oregon, is named for the explosive event of Nov. 12, 1970, when local officials blew up a beached and decomposing sperm whale … A widely reported case of an exploding whale occurred in Florence, Oregon, in November 1970, when the Oregon Highway Division (now the Oregon Department of Transportation) blew up a decaying sperm whale with dynamite in an attempt to dispose of its rotting carcass. FLORENCE, Oregon (KGO) -- You may have heard about the exploding dead whale of Florence, Oregon. Copyright © 2020 Allen Media Broadcasting, LLC All Rights Reserved. The explosion threw whale flesh over 800 feet (240 metres) away. 1. The results were truly explosive. Attendees weren't just splattered with raining blubber—they were in danger of injury. A 45-foot dead Pacific Gray Whale washed ashore in Florence, Oregon, on November 9, 1970, and sat there for three days, rotting and stinking. The decision on how to discard the thing is the stuff of legend. The 10 minutes of KATU's raw footage maintains the nostalgic grain of the film, and includes some much more grotesque shots than what made it into the original broadcast, including one where a bulldozer pushes the partially obliterated whale carcass into a sand pit. By Brian Bull • Nov 10, 2020. The decision on how to discard the thing is the stuff of legend. It has been 50 years since a 45-foot sperm whale was exploded on a beach in Florence, Oregon, an incident that would become what most people consider to be America’s first-ever viral news story. PORTLAND NEEDS WILLAMETTE WEEK. 1. On Nov. 12, 1970, the Oregon Highway Division decided to remove an 8-ton sperm whale from a Florence beach by blowing it up with dynamite. Bud Pierce Declares His Candidacy. After the necropsy, the animal will be buried on the beach. Now, it also has a 4k digital restoration. More information on Sei Whales is available online, All content © copyright KDRV. OHA's statement on the Coronavirus vaccine, Oregon officials preparing for vaccine delivery, but many challenges remain, Jackson County Public Health Reports 65 New COVID-19 Cases, Western States Approves safety of Pfizer vaccine, Trump raised firing Barr in White House meeting on Friday, Oregon State, Oregon on College GameNight, Coronavirus Vaccines Are Expected to Come to Oregon, Dutch Bros donates more than $280K to Phoenix-Talent Fire Relief Fund, Health Alert: COVID-19 during cold & flu season. Today, the Oregon Historical Society released its pristine update of the 16 mm print original, which has been under the museum's care since the 1980s. A report by KATU-TV on officials' decision to blow up an 8-ton dead whale on an Oregon beach in 1970 went on to become an early viral video. The whale was found stranded on the Oregon coast, south of Bandon Saturday afternoon. Attendees weren't just splattered with raining blubber—they were in danger of injury. News reporter Paul Linnman became a icon for his role in the event. A necropsy will be led Sunday, September 6 by Oregon State University, World Vets, and Sealife Response, Rehabilitation and Research. – A dead whale has washed ashore several miles south of Florence. Will Oregon Decriminalizing Drug Possession Make Street Drugs Cheaper? It's been 50 years since an 8-ton sperm whale washed up on the beach in Florence, Oregon. A plan to blow the whale carcass up in an effort to dispose of it went horribly wrong. News reporter Paul Linnman became a icon for his role in the event. A 45-foot dead Pacific Gray Whale washed ashore in Florence, Oregon, on November 9, 1970, and sat there for three days, rotting and stinking. None of dead gray whales found this spring on Oregon and Washington beaches were entangled in fishing or crabbing lines, however. Here’s What Happened. 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