This black-and-white circa 1943 United States Coast Guard training film is titled “Explosives” and not surprisingly covers precisely that topic, beginning with the “handling, stowage, and transportation of explosives as cargo onboard merchant vessels” both foreign and domestic when in a US port (mark 00:20). Several ships are shown on the waters as the narrator reiterates that goal and the importance of safely getting such devices into combat areas during World War II. As the film continues we see crates of small-arms ammunition as well as ammo for aircraft and machine guns, anti-tank ammunition, incendiary devices, hand grenades, and several other explosive devices. Originating in arsenals, ammunition depots, and manufacturing plants (mark 02:25), the explosives eventually make their way to vessels where a manifest and stowage permits are required. At mark 04:13 we see ammunition being carefully loaded aboard a merchant vessel and stored before the ships leave port, while the narrator explains the importance of proper communication to ensure safety.
The structure of Liberty ships (a class of cargo ship) is illustrated starting at mark 06:36 along with several minutes of extremely detailed explanation of how explosive cargo should be loaded, and the function of each part of the vessel. By mark 16:25 the film returns to live action and further explanation of how a ship carrying explosives must be checked to make sure it is in compliance with rules and regulations, especially for safety. Crews are shown cleaning ships and piers before loading longshoremen (mark 17:14) who have been specially trained to handle explosives, while it is the duty of the Coast Guard to protect ships against sabotage.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
