The FReeper Foxhole Remembers the Port Chicago Disaster (7/17/1944) - Aug. 17th, 2003

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq80-1.htm ^

[Victoria Delsoul]

Good afternoon, Sam. Glad you liked them.

[Victoria Delsoul]

You're very welcome, Spooky.

[WaterDragon]

Daniel Pipes, the Muslim scholar so hated by terroristic American Muslim organizations, wrote a book on the history of conspiracy theories (called "Conspiracy") that is fascinating. Shows cultural influences on their development, and also how most are variations on a few that have come and gone for centuries. I was surprised to learn that, comparatively, the U.S. is not as big on them as Europe!

I think I'll do a google and take a look at the ones that developed for the Chicago Port disaster. You and snippy do a great job of educating us with very interesting stuff!

[SAMWolf]

The whole continent of Europe is one big conspiracy theory. LOL!

There was a time when just about all the rulers in Europe were related to each other in some way. That was as late as WWI.

Thanks for the compliment, I know history is pretty dull for most but we try to make it a little interesting here.

[SAMWolf]

Our Military Today

U.S. Army Capt. John Gerald of the 431st Civil Affairs Battalion attached to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and his Interpretor walk down the street to their vehicles with their new friend Dianne in Mosul, Iraq, Aug. 14, 2003. U.S. Army photo by Pvt. Daniel D Meacham


Iraqi kids hold up the papers they were given by civil affairs soldiers to prove that they worked at cleaning up trash and rubble at Hillsdale in Baghdad Aug. 11. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Smith / 372nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment


U.S. Army 1Lt. Tammy Stephenson, 719th Medical Detachment, checks for a good spot to give a dog a vaccination shot during a Combined Medical Assistance (CMA) program in the village of Zurmat, Afghanistan, July 24, 2003. The CMA is a program in which U.S. servicemembers give medical treatment to the local Afghans and their livestock. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kelly Burkhart


Canadian 3RCR Battlegroup Sgt. John George from Windsor, Ont. smiles as he is saluted by a young Afghan boy while patrolling the streets of Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday Aug 17, 2003. A platoon of Canadian soldiers, loaded with heavy equipment, battled heat and dust Sunday as they walked the streets and alleys of a Kabul neighbourhood during a patrol in the Afghan capital. (AP PHOTO/Tom Hanson, CP)

[snippy_about_it]

Great pictures SAM. Thanks.

[SAMWolf]

Our Military Today
President Bush At
Marine Corps Air Station - Miramar

President Bush acknowledges cheers as he is escorted by Lt. Gen. James Conway at his arrival at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)


U.S. President Bush delivers a speech to troops at MCAS Miramar in San Diego, California August 14, 2003. Bush spoke to military personnel and their families, thanking them for their service to the country. During his two-day visit to California, he will also raise money for his reelection campaign. REUTERS/Mike Blake


Marine Lance Corporal Michael Partlow of Lompoc, Calif., holds his six month old daughter Sandra while President Bush speaks at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station in San Diego, Calif. on Thursday, August 14, 2003. The President thanked the Marines for their role in liberating Iraq. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)


U.S. President George W. Bush holds Michah Stiles, of Jackson, Michigan, as he meets military personnel at the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar, California, August 14, 2003. Bush had lunch with the troops. REUTERS/Rick Wilking


U.S. President George W. Bush gives a thumbs-up to the troops at the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar, California, August 14, 2003. Bush had lunch with military personnel and their families. REUTERS/Rick Wilking


President Bush is saluted by Marines as he walks to the podiium for his addreess at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Thursday Aug. 14, 2003 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)


Allison Sojourner, is held up by her mother, Lori, as she holds a sign showing a photo of her father, Maj. Mark Sojourner, as they await the arrival of President Bush at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003. Allison's father is still overseas. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)


Country music star Toby Keith entertains a crowd of Marines while they wait for the arrival of President Bush at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Thursday Aug. 14, 2003 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

[snippy_about_it]

Thanks SAM. Our Marines sure look happy to see W and Toby.

[Colt .45]

A black mark on US Naval history.

[snippy_about_it]

Good Night SAM

[SAMWolf]

Good Night Snippy. Not really going to sleep music.

[PhilDragoo]

Judging by Tailhook the Navy doesn't handle investigations any better.

My older brother graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point in 1965 and ran engine rooms on ships delivering ordnance to Vietnam.

He said they would moor off-shore and not at the pier.

The competition and wagering of white officers should have resulted in their court martial--gee, I wonder why it did not?

Step-son at U.S. Naval Academy endured the pathetic spectacle (debacle) of the Electrical Engineering exam cheating inquisition.

Ye gods and little fishes, if you cannot conduct a cool-headed review of some grab-ass at a hotel and some crib sheet pass-around, how do you intend to go to sea in harm's way?

I think the nadir was the Greenville coming up under the Japanese fishing vessel and the skipper crying.

Ach du lieber, and the VIPs had to get back for dinner so to hell with sonar, just blow--

--and the sonar guy, he didn't want to interrupt the skipper in confab with the VIPs--

Then the Iowa turret--I think later they decided it was a problem with the ram and the five bags--but at the time they made out that it was a homosexual jealousy act--

Okay, now, bayonet practice on Truman for cancelling the United States and the Revolt of the Admirals.

That was cathartic, and I can go enjoy R. Lee Ermey.

After I drop for twenty-five for being a smart-aleck know-it-all.

[SAMWolf]

Good Evening, PhilDragoo

After I drop for twenty-five for being a smart-aleck know-it-all.

We love the Foxhole's resident smart-aleck know-it-all. You're commentary is always appreciated.

[PAR35]

It was recognized as an even larger national disaster than Pearl Harbor.

You were able to post this with a straight face?

Port Chicago losses:
Killed: 427
Injured: 390
Two cargo ships distroyed
One barge distroyed
One Coast Guard ship damaged
One tanker damaged.

Pearl Harbor
22 ships sunk (Including the Arizona and the Utah) or significantly damaged
188 aircraft distroyed, an additional 159 damaged.
Killed 2403
Wounded 1178

In terms of deaths, Port Chicago ranks behind the separate losses of the Franklin, the Houston and the Indianapolis as well as the events at Slapton Sands.

[SAMWolf]

I just post the articles as they're written. I don't always agree with them. We post the topics to inform and invite discussion.

That part of the thread about the Mutiny and trail came from a site that was "pushing" a very specific agenda.

At the time of the Port Chicago disaster, every man handling ammunition on the base was black and every officer was white. This segregation of personnel and responsibility on bases, and the refusal to allow black enlistees in combat was standard practice by the Navy. The tragic explosion at Port Chicago accounted for 15% of deaths suffered by blacks in all of the war. I agree, Port Chicago doesn't compare to Pearl Harbor or a lot of other incidents during the war. Good catch on that comment.

[GATOR NAVY]

SAM-you ever hear of this accident?

West Loch Disaster

Pearl Harbor is divided into a series of lochs that fan out from Ford Island that sits in the center of harbor. West Loch was the staging area for the invasion fleets of the Pacific. In particular, vessels called LSTs or LCTs that had the capability to land on the shore, open their bows and deposit troops, stores and vehicles on the beach.

On Sunday morning, May 21, 1944, 29 LSTs readied for the invasion of Saipan, were nestled together at six berths. An LST carried a crew of 119 men and 200 marines, trucks, jeeps, and weapon carriers were carried on the main decks, all of which were loaded with ammunition and gas. Each vessel carried 80 to 100 drums of high-octane fuel on forecastle. Six thousand cubic feet of cargo ammunition was stowed on the deck with field guns and amphibious craft known as DUKWs. Besides the stores carried on by the troops and their vehicles, the ship had its own magazine and fuel capacity of 200,000 gallons. Drums of lubricating oil, fog oil smoke pots and floats were carried on the fantail -- an accident waiting to happen.

Figure 2.47. LST exploding during West Loch disaster in May 1944.
(NPS: USAR Collection)

On May 21, 1944, at 3:08 p.m., an explosion blossomed out of LST-353. Apparently the blast originated near the bow of LST-963, where Army troops had been unloading mortar ammunition. Red hot fragments showered the clustered LSTs, igniting gasoline drums lined up on the exposed forecastles. In minutes, the explosions began to rip the invasion fleet apart. Fires began to blaze from stem to stern.

The explosions continued, damaging more than 20 buildings shoreside at the West Loch facility. For 24 hours fires raged aboard the stricken ships.

Figure 2.48. Fighting fires at West Loch. Signal Corps photo.
(NPS: USAR Collection)

Figure 2.49. Burning LSTs at West Loch.
(NPS: USAR Collection)

In all six LSTs were sunk and several severely damaged. Dead were 163 men and 396 were wounded.

Several investigations sought to find the reason for such a disaster, but no conclusive evidence as how it occurred was decided upon. Two major reasons have emerged as to the possible cause: The initial explosion was caused by gasoline vapor, or that one or more mortar shells exploded while being handled.

It was recommended that LSTs no longer be nested, so that disaster like that at West Loch could be avoided. Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz disagreed. He felt that facilities were too limited at Pearl and that the nesting was necessary. "It is a calculated risk that must be accepted."'

During the explosions and fires, firefighters had prevented further loss of ships that would have delayed the invasion of Saipan. As it was, only a day was lost in the departure of the invasion fleet.

Figure 2.50. Aftermath of West Loch explosions.
(NPS: USAR Collection)

Today, only a few reminders of the West Loch disaster remain. For years, both during the war and after, the disaster at West Loch was veiled in secrecy and mystery. In particular, the bow of LST-480 is visible as it rusts in the tropical air of Oahu.

[snippy_about_it]

We love the Foxhole's resident smart-aleck know-it-all.

Yes we do! Thanks Phil.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Gator Navy, I never heard about this incident. Good find.

Makes you wonder how many smaller scale accidents like this occured that were never even mentioned in the history books.

[manna]

Present!

[snippy_about_it]

:) There you are! lol.