Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

After my San Francisco excursion on Friday, March 30, I had to return to Martinez to learn about the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial.  I was not prepared for what I learned.  Because the visitor's center was closed the day before, I was glad to return and learn about this import part of naval and American history.  Starting May 18th, this year, the base will be open for tours, but in the off season, there is a movie to watch at the John Muir site.

NPS Photo

The history is jarring - 320 American Killed in WWII Naval Magazine Accident!

On the evening of July 17, 1944, a massive explosion occurred in Concord that residents in the San Francisco East Bay were jolted awake that cracked windows and lit up the night sky.  At Port Chicago, 320 Naval men (mainly black men) were killed instantly when two ships being loaded with ammunition for the Pacific theater blew up.  It was World War II's worst home from disaster.

The story in a nutshell is this.  Port Chicago started in 1942 and by 1944, two ships could be loaded at the pier simultaneously.  African-American naval units were assigned the dangerous work of loading the ships but they were not trained and load competition between the ships was instigated.  Speed was all that was cared about.  The ships at harbor that night were the SS Quinault Victory preparing for her maiden voyage and the SS E.A. Bryan, had just returned from her maiden voyage.  Both ships were merchant ships and both were being loaded with munitions - 4,606 TONS of ammunition.  There were 16 railroad cars on the pier with another 429 tons plus the 320 handlers, crewman and sailors.

At 10:18 p.m. that night the night sky lit up with two explosions nearly simultaneously and a column of fire nearly 2 miles high!  Everything nearly disintegrated in seconds.  According to the navy, "a plane flying at 9,000 feet reported seeing chunks of white hot metal 'as big as a house' flying past.  All 320 men on duty that night were killed and the blast caused damage to buildings 48 miles across San Francisco Bay!

The Navy History and Heritage Command has a great website explaining the Port Chicago disaster in full.

I don't have any photos to share since I couldn't access the base and I don't think the NPS has their video available, but a few YouTube videos will be of great interest about this site:

(1) Port Chicago Explosion Remembered by Rodney Speed (Excellent) featuring a park ranger tour 8:08 minutes

(2) Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial - Oct 2016 by AeroKing80 featuring a Park Ranger tour 2:18 minutes

(3) Back Roads - Port Chicago by 2001CMP  Documentary 8:05 minutes

(4) Port Chicago Explosion - KGO TV San Fran Story 1990 with original footage 2:38 minutes

(5) An Exploration of Our History: Port Chicago Naval Magazine by Doug Harris 6:24 minutes

(6) An Exploration of Our History: Port Chicago Explosion by Doug Harris 2:36 minutes

The "Mutiny"

After the explosions and disaster of Port Chicago, the blame had to fall on someone and we'll - it was on the sailors.  While white officers were given 30 days leave and transfer to other duty locations, the black sailors were ordered to return to work in another location on Mare Island immediately.  After such a shock, the men were afraid for their lives since they weren't trained well in the loading of munitions but the military upper crust didn't care.  258 men refused to go saying they were afraid to load.  These men were threatened by death or firing squad for mutiny, 208 yielded.  They were given bad conduct discharges after serving out their terms.  The 50 who persisted faced the largest mass court martial in naval history resulting in 8-15 years prison time.  After back and forth by the prosecution and defense, all fifty men were found guilty.  After the war, the navy granted clemency to the fifty and put them on ships to finish out their enlistments; their convictions never overturned.

(1) Paul Leaf on "The Mutiny at Port Chicago"

Photos and Junior Ranger
For a photo gallery of photos, please visit the National Park website on Port Chicago.  This park is also a Junior Ranger park and it would be a good learning experience for them.  

Tour Reservations
If you should visit this park during peak seasons, it's important to make reservations.  Port Chicago is located on Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO) and is an active base.  Tours are only available with 2-week advanced reservation process via a ranger-guided tour on Thursday, Friday, or Saturdays.  Allow 1.5 hours time beginning at 12:45 p.m. 

NPS Photo

Remembering the Fallen

Thanks to the NPS for their page on the list of the fallen in this explosion.  It's only fitting to include them on this post:

Port Chicago July 17, 1944:  In Memoriam (*Identified Dead)

U.S. Naval Magazine & Naval Barracks (121)
S2c James C. Akins CM3c Clarence Allen, Jr. Lt. (jg) Maxie L. Anderson * S2c Leslie K. Asahe S2c Isaiah Ash, Jr. S1c David Bacon, Sr. S2c Henry W. Bailey * CM3c Leonard Baker S2c David Barnes, Jr. S2c Joseph Battle S2c Raphel O. Beasom S2c Silas Bell Lt. Thomas L. Blackman S2c David E. Blackwell S2c Thimon Blaylock S1c Johnnie C. Borders CM1c James H. Born * S2c L.T. Bowden * S2c Charles L. Boyce S2c Alvin Brewer, Jr. S2c James Bridges S1c Walter L. Brooks, Jr. F1c Johnnie L. Broome S1c Ernest L. Burnett S1c Wilbert Calvin S2c Lawrence L. Carlin S2c Robert A. Carter Lt.(jg) John B. Christenbury* S2c Eddie L. Clark S1c Eugene Coffee, Jr. * F1c Bill Coleman S2c Enos Coley * S2c Arthur A. Connor S2c Frank Cooley S2c Norman H. Craig S2c Eddie L. Cross S2c Jessie V. Crimp S1c Herman L. Curtis S2c Horace Daniel, Sr. S2c Huby Dansby S2c Floyd M. Davis S2c Henry J. Davis S2c Willie Davis S2c James L. Devaughn S2c Nathaniel Dixson S2c Rayfield D. Doyle S2c Herman Dunbar S2c Arthur L. Ebenezer F2c Dunton I. Edwards S1c Herbert L. Edwards S2c Junice C. Ervin S2c Luther Eusery S2c Ananias Evans, Sr.	S2c Horace Evans S2c John H. Evans S2c William L. Evans S2c John B. Felisbret S2c Robert L. Ferguson CM3c Clarence S. Fields S2C Jessie Finney S2c Matthew Forkner, Jr. S1c Joseph R. Francis S2c Ford S. Franklin, Jr. S2c Artie J. Frazier CM1c Elmer B. Froid S1c Gerard Gabriel * S2c Bennie L. Gaines S2c Elgar Gant S1c(CH) John S. Gibson S2c Jethero Gilbert S1c Samuel Glenn, Jr. S1c Lewis D. Goudblock S2c Harry L. Graham S1c William H. Green S2c Ross B. Grinage S2c A.D. Hamilton S2c Ernest E. Hamilton S2c Emaral Hamm S2c George R. Hammond S2c John W. Hannan, Jr. S2c Joe H. Hardaway S2c John L. Harding S2c B.C. Harris S2c Roscoe A. Harris S2c Phillip H. Harrison * S2c Clifford Harvey, Jr. S1c George W. Hayes S2c D.C. Haywood S1c Douglas L. Hector S1c David L. Higginbotham S1c Bobie R. Higgs S1c Cluster Hill * S2c Joseph Hills S2c Charles W. Hite S2c(SO) Rudolph V. Holden S2c Stanford Holley MoMM3c(T) Edred L. Holmes S2c Ernest M. Howard S2c Frank J. Howard S2c Earl H. Hudson * S2c Glen Hughes * S2c Leroy Hughes * S2c Theodore L. Hughes S2c William Humphrey, Jr. S2c Ross D. Hunt * S2c Wave Hunt	S2c Rudolph W. Hunter CM3c(T) Leroy Ingram S1c D.C. Jackson S2c James Jackson CM2c James E.M. Jackson S1c Levi R. Jackson * S2c Paul E. Jackson S2c Robert A. Jackson, Jr. CM3c Samuel Jackson, Jr. S1c Daniel L. Jamison S1c Willie Jennings * S2c Clarence Johnson * S2c Earl T. Johnson S1c Gabe Johnson * S1c Harold Johnson S2c Henry L. Johnson Lt. (jg) James B. Johnson * S1c Milton F. Johnson * S1c Daniel L. Jones S1c Ivery L. Jones S1c Henry Joseph, Jr. S1c Samuel Kearney S1c(SC)(B) Calvin King S2c Clifton King S2c Verne Land S1c Sidney J. LaPorte, Jr. S1c Willie Law, Jr. * S2c Cleo Lawson S2c Caludius W. Leslie S2c(SO) Aaron A. Lewis S2c T.C. Lewis S2c Lemuel M. Long * S2c Robert Lyons S2c Beattie J. Makins S1c(CM) Rossell E. Martin S2c(CM) Alonmo Martin S1c Daniel Massie S1c Lawrence Mathews, Jr.* S2c Charles A. Mayfield * S1c Mitchell McClam CCM(T) Clarence K. McFarland * S1c Calvin Milton S2c Willis Mettles * S1c Ernest C. Miller MoMM3c Ira Miller, Jr. S2c Otis K. Miller * S2c Marshall Moore, Sr. CM2c Thomas Moore S2c William P. Moore Ens. Gilbert Mordoh S2c Eddie L. Neal S1c James H. Nixon S2c William H. Otky, Sr.	S2c Auguster Packer S1c(SC) William F. Paschal S2c Robert F. Peete S2c Lester L. Perry S2c Joe H. Person * S2c Alfred Phillips CM3c Charles Pickett S2c Houston Porter S2c McCoy Porter S2c David W. Potts SM3c(T) Samuel H. Powell CM2c Joe C. Preuitt S2c Arthur Reid, Jr. CM3c James E. Rhodes S2c Clyde F. Richardson S2c James A. Roberts S1c Mango Roberts MoMM3c Alphonse Robinson S2c Fred Robinson, Jr. S1c Eugene J. Rogers S2c Robert Sanders * S2c Wesley Saunders Lt. Roland Schindler * CM3c Carl C. Scott Lt. Vernon C. Shamer S1c Joseph J. Sheckles S2c Willie Sims * S1c Isaac E. Smith * S1c James P. Smith S1c Ellis Taylor S2c Joseph M. Tolson MA2c Maxie D. Towles S1c(CM) Mervin L. Van Dunk S1c Issiah Wade S2c Charles Walker, Jr. S2c Walter L. Walker, Jr. * S2c Woodrow L. Walker CM2c(T) William C. Warren* S2c James L. Washington * S2c Woodrow Washington, Jr. CM3c Daniel West Lt. (jg) Raymond R. White * S1c Joseph B. White S2c Arthur Whitmore S2c Mitchell A. Williams * S2c Maryland E. Wilson GM3c Oliver Wilson S2c Samuel D. Wilson Lt. Harold A. Wood * S2c James E. Woods * S2c Walter E. Wright S2c Charles E. Wyatt

SS E.A. Bryan Maritime Service (3)
U.S. Navy Armed Guard (13)
S1c Wayland E. Causey S1c Rudy J. Cebella S1c Robert E. Chase S2c Claude L. Chastain SM3c John J. Gee Lt. (jg) Ralph B. Hartmann S1c Clarence R. Hollandsworth S1c Kenneth H. Muirhead S1c Jesse W. Mulligan S1c Lloyd J. Quick S1c Martin J. Setzer S1c George H. Singer S1c Listern L. Small	Elmer A. Andraschko, Cook Albert A. Arsenian, Seaman William C. Benhart, Oiler Martin M. Cacic, Seaman Ray E. Davis, Wiper Donald L. Dennon, Wiper Thomas E. Dorsey, Seaman George H. Falk, Bos’n Marcus J. Franklin, Engr. Alfred D. Gilbert, Engr. James R. Gilstrap, Seaman Joseph D. Grange, Jr, Engr.	Fred Hayes, Seaman Delbert R. Hutchinson, Fireman Peter C. Jepsen, Ch. Engr. Charles A. Johnson, Utilityman Clifford R. Johnson, Utilityman Ralph A. Lantz, Seaman John A. Louis, Engr. Frank C. Malizia, Carpenter Edward Maniago, Messman	Harry E. Nathan, Seaman Jesse Porter, Sr., Ch. Cook Richard D. Roberson, Seaman Aaron C. Sangster, Jr., Seaman Ellsworth M. Shaw, Oiler Howard A. Smith, 1st Mate Andrew Suchan, Fireman Robert F. Townsend, 2nd Mate Harding E. White, Messman George H. Witt, Utilityman
SS Quinault Victory Maritime Service (36)
U.S. Navy Armed Guard (17)
GM3c Jack L. Albin GM2c Delbert P. Bergstrom S1c(RM) Jack P. Bowman GM3c John G. Hall S1c George D. Hovland S1c Andy Morrow GM2c William H. Mulryan S1c Henry J. Myers S1c Woodrow A. Riiff S1c Jacob D. Risenhoover S1c William R. Robinson S1c Charles H. Rondell S1c Jay Rose, Jr. S1c Otis K. Ross S1c Woodrow W. Saint S1c Arnold T. Sanders S1c Harold S. Sano	Robert D. Bailey, Utilityman Robert E. Bartlett, Messman John D. Bell, Asst. Purser Frederick E. Bentley, Seaman Donald H. Cheney, Elect. Hugh E. Crawford, Maint. Man Floyd F. Crist, Seaman Albert C. Dinde, Messman Wallace M. Durland, Seaman Kenneth J. Eulrick, Seaman Burke E. Falor, Utilityman Eugene W. Garrett, Fireman	Robert K. Henricksen, Seaman Elis Henriksen, Engr. * Johannes H. Justesen, Steward Walter F. Kannberg, Engr. Robert E. Keim, 2nd Mate Joseph B. Koeninger, Seaman Karl L. Mallery, Engr. Lloyd K. McDaniel, Seaman Kenneth M. Moen, 3rd Mate Robert S. Morill, Oiler Isadore E. Narinsky, Seaman	Roy L. Nelson, Carpenter David R. Parsons, 3rd Mate Mike Pearson, Oiler Ellis B. Pinson, Engr. Richard V. Potter, Fireman Virgil R. Sandberg, Engr. Albert R. Scott, Ch. Mate Lester S. Skance, Seaman Howard W. Sullivan, Seaman Robert J. Sullivan, Master Glen E. Thompson, Engr. * Louis J. Widner, Messman * John A. Williams, Ch. Engr.
Navy & Contractor Employees (6)		Other Military (6)
Lawrence C. Bustrack, Macco Co. Office Manager * Gundar Halverson, Macco Co. Timekeeper * Raymond V. Hunnicutt, Brakeman Navy Employee Thomas D. Hunt, Macco Co. Project Engr. * Harry A. Middleton, Engineman Navy Employee Fred Zanarini, Chauffeur Navy Employee *		Pvt. Elwin A. Blanke, Marine Corps * BM1c Peter G. Broda, Coast Guard MM1c William G. Degryce, Coast Guard McMM3c Edward J. Portz, Coast Guard * S1c Charles H. Riley, Coast Guard S2c James C. Sullivan, Coast Guard *