1918 - October 4 - The T. A. Gillespie Company Shell Loading Plant explosion in New Jersey kills 100+ and destroys enough ammunition to supply the Western Front for 6 months.

On October 4, 1918, a catastrophic explosion occurred at the T. A. Gillespie Company Shell Loading Plant in Sayreville, New Jersey. The blast, which resulted in a series of subsequent explosions, killed over 100 people and caused widespread destruction. The plant was a critical facility for the U.S. war effort during World War I, as it loaded shells with explosives destined for the Western Front. The explosion's impact was devastating, obliterating nearby buildings, creating craters, and sparking fires that raged for days.

The incident not only resulted in significant loss of life but also had a substantial strategic impact. The destruction of the plant and its ammunition stockpile, estimated to be enough to supply the Western Front for six months, dealt a heavy blow to the Allied war effort. The disaster underscored the dangers inherent in wartime munitions production and highlighted the urgent need for improved safety protocols in handling explosive materials.