November 12 - The Oregon Whale Explosion Of 1970
Patient Strength in Seeking God's Wisdom
This is the day highway officials in Florence, Oregon, attempted to dispose of a beached whale carcass using dynamite in 1970, creating an infamous incident that would become known as the "Exploding Whale."
In today's lesson, we will explore a spectacular demonstration of human ingenuity gone wrong on the Oregon coast. What can a massive explosion and raining whale parts teach us about the strength found in patient waiting? Through this remarkable incident, we'll discover how God's wisdom surpasses even our most carefully calculated solutions.
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." - Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
This Date in History
In the long history of misguided problem-solving, few solutions have achieved the spectacular notoriety of the Great Whale Explosion of 1970. What began as a standard beach cleanup would transform into an unforgettable demonstration of how not to dispose of eight tons of decomposing whale, ultimately showering the beaches of Florence, Oregon, with chunks of blubber and leaving onlookers diving for cover from raining whale parts.
The saga began when a 45-foot sperm whale fought its final battle in the shallow waters near Florence, Oregon, in mid-November 1970. Local residents discovered the distressed creature during its final hours, but despite their concern, nothing could be done to save it. After the whale's death, ocean currents pushed the massive carcass onto the beach, where it lay decomposing in the sand. As the days passed, the deteriorating whale carcass began creating serious public health concerns, and officials faced an unprecedented challenge that would soon become a legendary tale of good intentions gone explosively wrong.
The responsibility for removing the whale fell to the Oregon Highway Division because the beaches were classified as state highways. George Thornton, a highway engineer with no experience in marine mammal disposal, found himself leading the operation. Traditional disposal methods seemed impractical - the whale was too large to bury without heavy equipment, too decomposed to cut up and remove piece by piece, and too massive to haul away intact. Burning it would create unbearable smoke, and leaving it to decompose naturally would pose health risks to the growing number of curious onlookers.
Thornton and his team consulted with the U.S. Navy and other experts about their options. The solution they settled on seemed elegant in its simplicity: use dynamite to blast the whale into small pieces that seagulls and ocean scavengers would clean up. They calculated that half a ton of explosives would be sufficient to completely disintegrate the carcass.
Walter Umenhofer, a military veteran with extensive demolitions experience from the Korean War, happened to be in Florence that day. Upon learning of the plan, he immediately approached the officials. Drawing from his military expertise, Umenhofer explained that they were using far too much dynamite and warned that the explosion would be dangerous. The highway officials, however, stood firm in their calculations.
The news media caught wind of the unusual disposal method. Paul Linnman and cameraman Doug Brazil from Portland's KATU-TV traveled to Florence to document the event. Their presence would prove crucial in preserving this moment of misguided ingenuity for posterity. Linnman, known for his wit and timing, provided commentary that would later become as famous as the explosion itself.
The highway crew positioned the explosives on the landward side of the whale, believing this would direct the blast toward the ocean. They evacuated spectators to what they considered a safe distance - a quarter mile away. The gathered crowd, including locals and curious travelers who had heard about the impending explosion, waited with anticipation.
When the charges detonated, the scene that unfolded exceeded everyone's worst expectations. Instead of disintegrating into small pieces, huge chunks of blubber rocketed through the air. The spectators, who had been assured of their safety, found themselves fleeing from falling whale parts. A massive piece of blubber crashed through the roof of Umenhofer's new Oldsmobile 88, vindicating his earlier warnings in the most ironic way possible.
The aftermath left highway workers manually cleaning up chunks of whale scattered across the beach - exactly the scenario they had hoped to avoid. The incident might have remained a local legend had it not been for Linnman's footage, which found new life in the early days of the internet, becoming one of the first viral videos and cementing the exploding whale's place in popular culture.
Historical Context
The late 1960s and early 1970s marked a period of growing environmental consciousness in America. The first Earth Day had been celebrated in April 1970, just months before the whale incident, and environmental protection was becoming a significant public concern. Oregon, in particular, had established itself as a leader in environmental legislation, with innovative laws about beach preservation and public access to coastlines.
Oregon's Beach Bill of 1967 had declared all beaches public highways, placing them under the jurisdiction of the state highway department. This seemingly unusual administrative decision explained why highway officials, rather than environmental or marine biology experts, were tasked with handling the whale carcass. The law reflected Oregon's unique approach to coastal management, ensuring public access to all beaches while creating some unusual jurisdictional situations.
The era was also characterized by a strong faith in technological solutions to environmental problems. The post-World War II period had seen tremendous advances in engineering and explosives technology, leading to a perhaps overly optimistic view of what could be accomplished through such means. This mindset influenced decision-making across many fields, often leading to approaches that might seem heavy-handed by today's standards.
Marine mammal conservation and handling protocols were still in their infancy. The Marine Mammal Protection Act wouldn't be passed until 1972, and there were few established procedures for dealing with beached whales. Local authorities often had to improvise solutions, leading to a variety of approaches across different coastal regions. While some areas had begun developing more naturalistic disposal methods, many locations still treated such situations as mere waste removal problems rather than environmental management issues.
Did You Know?
The incident led to the development of new protocols for handling beached whale carcasses in Oregon, emphasizing burial or removal rather than explosive disposal.
Today’s Reflection
Human ingenuity often leads us to believe we can solve any problem through sheer determination and practical thinking. The highway officials in Florence stood before their eight-ton challenge with confidence, armed with dynamite and what seemed like sound logic. Their solution appeared decisive and efficient - a bold answer to an urgent problem. Yet their experience serves as a compelling reminder of how our perceived wisdom, even when well-intentioned, can scatter problems rather than solve them.
In leadership and life, we frequently encounter situations that seem to demand immediate action. Like those officials studying their whale-sized dilemma, we can find ourselves equipped with what appears to be a reasonable solution, backed by human expertise and practical understanding. However, 1 Corinthians 1:25 (NIV) reminds us, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength," pointing to a profound truth about the limitations of our own understanding.
The highway department's decision wasn't entirely rash - they had consulted some experts and developed what they believed was a sound plan. Yet in their certainty, they dismissed the voiced concerns of those who might have offered valuable insight. How often do we mirror this behavior in our own decision-making? We might pray briefly, consider our options, and then proceed with what seems logical to us, all while failing to truly wait upon the Lord's direction or seek out the counsel He may be providing through others.
The phrase "wait for the Lord" appears twice in our key verse, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" - Psalm 27:14 (NIV) - a deliberate repetition that emphasizes both the importance and the challenge of this command. This double emphasis suggests that waiting isn't passive; it requires active strength and courage. The Hebrew word used here, "qavah," implies not just waiting, but actively looking for and expecting God's intervention. It's about maintaining hope and faith while deliberately seeking His guidance.
The aftermath of the whale explosion scattered problems far and wide, creating new challenges that could have been avoided through a more patient, thorough approach. Similarly, when we rush to implement our solutions without fully seeking God's direction, we risk creating spiritual, relational, or practical shrapnel that can damage areas of our lives we hadn't even considered. As Proverbs 3:7 (NIV) warns us, "Do not be wise in your own eyes."
Consider how differently the situation in Florence might have unfolded had the officials taken more time to gather diverse perspectives, consider alternatives, and perhaps most importantly, acknowledge the limitations of their own understanding. In our own lives, God often provides wisdom through multiple channels - Scripture, prayer, godly counsel, and even the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit. Yet accessing these resources requires us to pause, to wait, to listen - actions that can feel counterintuitive when facing pressing challenges.
The strength required to wait upon the Lord often goes unrecognized in our action-oriented world. As Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) reminds us, "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength." This isn't about passive delay but about active engagement with God's timing and wisdom. It's about finding the courage to resist the urge for quick solutions and instead invest in seeking God's perfect guidance.
Practical Application
Take time this week to identify a pressing challenge in your life that demands a solution. Rather than rushing to implement the first practical solution, commit to a period of active waiting. Create a prayer journal specifically for this situation, recording your thoughts, insights, and any guidance you receive through Scripture, wise counsel, or prayer. Pay special attention to voices of experience or contrary perspectives that might initially seem unnecessary or inconvenient.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, grant us the courage to wait upon Your perfect timing and the wisdom to seek Your guidance in all our decisions. Help us resist the temptation to rely solely on our own understanding, and give us the strength to actively seek Your direction, even when immediate solutions seem appealing. May we learn to trust in Your perfect wisdom rather than our limited perspective. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Supplementary Study
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
This passage perfectly illustrates the importance of surrendering our own logic and trusted solutions to God's superior wisdom and guidance.
"The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."
These verses remind us that when we seek God's guidance, He provides stability and support in our decision-making process.
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."
This promise assures us that God is actively involved in guiding our decisions when we seek His wisdom.
Final Thoughts
The Florence whale explosion stands as a powerful reminder that even well-reasoned solutions can fail spectacularly when we rely solely on human wisdom. The strength to wait, to seek deeper counsel, and to trust in God's guidance often proves more valuable than the most practical human solutions. As we face our own challenges, may we remember that true wisdom lies not in quick fixes but in patient trust and active seeking of God's direction.
Community Engagement
Share your thoughts or use these questions to get the conversation started.
What surprises you most about the way the officials handled the whale situation?
How do you distinguish between appropriate action and rushing ahead of God's timing?
What role does community play in helping us make wise decisions?
How has waiting on God's timing proved beneficial in your own life?
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In tomorrow's lesson, we'll explore how an innovative development intended for protection led to unexpected consequences worldwide. Join us as we examine the delicate balance between accessibility and depth in our spiritual journey, discovering why simple solutions aren't always the answer to complex challenges.
Bonus - Did You Know?
George Thornton was initially reluctant to speak to the media about the operation, but was ordered to do so by his supervisor who was unavailable due to a hunting trip.
The exploding whale incident occurred during Thornton's first year as Assistant District Highway Engineer.
The dynamite used in the operation was military-grade explosive originally intended for removing stumps and rocks from highway construction projects.
Walter Umenhofer, whose car was damaged, was a military veteran who had actually worked with explosives during the Korean War.
Paul Linnman, the reporter who covered the story, later wrote a book titled "The Exploding Whale and Other Remarkable Stories from the Evening News."
The footage of the explosion remained relatively obscure until 1990 when Dave Barry wrote about it in his nationally syndicated column.
Additional Resources
The Exploding Whale and Other Remarkable Stories from the Evening News - Paul Linnman
Oregon's Beaches: A Birthright Preserved - Samuel N. Dicken
The Great Book of Oregon - Bridget E. Smith
Environmental Policy in the 1970s - Richard N. L. Andrews
Great story here. I love these scriptures supporting God's timing. It is the biggest truth. My favorite saying is: "It's not my time, it's God's time and God's time is the right time. "
I was in Arkansas at the time and for some reason I remember seeing that on the news. Since it's obvious that we were now where near the ocean, I guess the news people thought it might be humorous.