[Pearls Before Swine]

To put it in modern terms, that was a 3-kiloton explosion. Smaller than Hiroshima (10 to 15), but getting into the tactical nuke area.

[BenLurkin]

[Calvin Locke]

The harbor is basically bowl-shaped, along with a thick overcast that morning, helped to contain the blast, increasing its intensity, unfortunately for those there.

The disaster did contribute to the establishment of "pediatrics" as medical specialty, given the amount of children needing medical attention.

Also, the brilliant British officer whose policies bypassed the standard safety protocols for such military hazmat was transferred to Boston to "help" the Americans.

By the end of the war, the French captain was in good standing with France, and was awarded a service medal or the like.