The effect was deadly for 320 sailors and the surrounding area was devastated. Navy who refused to return to loading ammunition after a disastrous explosion at port chicago, california on july 17, 1944 that destroyed the liberty ship ss e. In his 1989 book the port chicago mutiny, bay area historian robert allen described the explosion. An astonishing civil rights story from newbery honor winner and national book award finalist steve sheinkin.
Disaster, mutiny, and the fight for civil rights steve sheinkin. The navy captured the port chicago explosion on a nitratebase film. On july 17, 1944, a massive explosion rocked the segregated navy base at port chicago, california, killing more than 300 sailors who were at the docks. This explosion killed hundreds of black sailors and. The port chicago, california, ship explosion of 17 july. His other acclaimed books include the notorious benedict arnold and most dangerous.
Three hundred and twenty officers and enlisted men were killed instantly when two shipsss quinault victory and ss e. The explosion of two ammunition ships in port chicago, california, in july 1944, in which the majority of the dead and injured were africanamericans. This summer marks the 70th anniversary of the tragic events of port chicago, california, the worst home front disaster of world war ii. The 50 sailors from port chicago charged with mutiny appear at their court martial in 1944. The navy claims that the film was a simulation of the port chicago explosion filmed for hollywood in the 1960s but nitratebase. The port chicago 50 is a fascinating story of the prejudice and injustice that. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The tragedy was followed by a work stoppage and a controversial mutiny trial. That film was held in the safe of the concord naval weapons station.
The port chicago 50 is a historical account by steve. One of the last port chicago survivors tells harrowing story of blast the massive explosion on july 17, 1944, at the littleknown bay area navy. Poor procedures and lack of training led to the disaster. Its actually pretty thorough, like 20 years of research thorough.
Did a nuclear blast devastate port chicago on july 17, 1944. Have you ever wondered who picks the best books of the year. Port chicago was a town on the southern banks of suisun bay, in contra costa county, california. Exonerating the port chicago 50 is about the future.
But the following excerpt, purportedly suggesting a. A school library journal best book of the year on july 17, 1944, a massive explosion rocked the segregated navy base at port chicago, california, killing more than 300 sailors who were at the docks, critically injuring offduty men in their bunks, and shattering windows up to a mile away. In the similar port chicago disaster above, about half the weight of bombs was high. This detailed literature summary also contains topics for discussion on the port chicago 50 by steve sheinkin. On 20 december 2019, the president signed into law the fiscal year 2020 national defense authorization act, a part of which addresses the 1944 port chicago explosion and subsequent courtmartial of surviving sailors for refusing to resume loading ammunition. Photograph was taken by the mare island navy yard nh 96824. Seventyfive years ago today, at a naval munitions base northeast of san francisco called port chicago, 320 men were killed in a massive explosion that filled the sky with flame, destroyed. On august 9th, 244 men refused to go back to work until unsafe and unfair conditions at the docks were addressed. On july 17, 1944, a massive explosion rocked the segregated navy base at port chicago. School library best books of the year, national book awards longlist.
One of the last port chicago survivors tells harrowing. An overwhelming explosion of thousands of tons of naval munitions blew up an american city killing hundreds in july 1944. Robert allen, author of the book the port chicago mutiny, says the navy used the mutiny trial as a diversion. Choose from 67 different sets of port chicago flashcards on quizlet. During world war ii, port chicago was a segregated naval munitions base on the. The navy never determined the cause of the port chicago explosion. Twentytwo years of investigation into the port chicago explosion have produced tantalizing evidences of several as yet. At port chicago naval magazine, 320 men were instantly killed when two ships being loaded with ammunition for the pacific theater troops blew up. An ammunition ship explodes in the port chicago disaster. As a book is involved there are numerous claims and it is difficult to list all of the key claims in the question. Port chicago was an allamerican town and naval facility. Loaded with some 4,600 tons of ammunition and high explosives. The port chicago, california, ship explosion of 17 july 1944 unknown binding 1948. You can see where it happened by going to the scenic overlook next to the beniciamartinez bridge and looking southeast to the other side of the carquinez strait.
I used to tell lieutenant delucchi i said, lieutenant, one of these days, this base is going to blow sky high. All 320 of the men working on the ships and the pier had been killed instantly, and another 390 people in the surrounding area were injured, many of them maimed by shattered glass and debris. The port chicago 50 disaster, mutiny, and the fight for civil rights book. Most of the detail in this book deals with the significant events of the port chicago disaster which was a deadly munitions explosion that occurred on july 17, 1944, at the port chicago naval magazine in port chicago, california, united states. Forged at the beginning of the 20th century on suisun bay in contra costa county, the navy town met its end during the vietnam war, when it was sacrificed to preserve national security. Having worked in port chicago new part on homes moved from the explosion area old part, i found this books contents very interesting. But the following excerpt, purportedly suggesting a coverup, appears on the page for chapter 2 of his book. Best books of the year, bank street best childrens book of the. The following version of this book was used to create this study guide. Steve sheinkin is the awardwinning author of several fascinating books on. On the evening of july 17, 1944, residents in the san francisco east bay area were jolted awake by a massive explosion that cracked windows and lit up the night sky. Learn port chicago with free interactive flashcards. Today, more than 240 people, including more than a dozen survivors, will gather to commemorate the anniversary of the july 17, 1944, explosion of 5,000 tons of ammunition at the port chicago.
Everybody there knew it was coming, small told allen, who recorded the interview on analog tapes while researching his 2006 book the port chicago mutiny. In the nearby town of port chicago, the explosion damaged buildings and. To ask other readers questions about the port chicago 50, please sign up. A school library journal best book of the year on july 17, 1944, a massive explosion rocked the segregated navy base at port chicago, california, killing more than 300 sailors who were at. This was a relatively small nuclear explosion equivalent to 2,000 tons of tnt. Did a nuclear blast devastate port chicago on july 17. Seventyfive years ago today, at a naval munitions base northeast of san francisco called port chicago, 320 men were killed in a massive explosion that filled the sky with flame, destroyed two ships and shattered windows miles away. Bomb was a newbery honor book and the port chicago 50 won the boston globehorn book award for nonfiction. On july 17, 1944, an explosion rocked the base, killing 320 men202 of. Port chicago explosion still echoes 60 years later sfgate.
On july 17, 1944, a massive explosion rocked the segregated navy base at port chicago, california, killing more than 300 sailors who were at the docks, critically injuring offduty men in their bunks, and shattering windows up to a mile away. The town of port chicago, population 1,500, was located about 1. Bryan sailors and dock workers were pressured by time and their superiors and were also using unsafe unloading methods. Port chicago hasnt been recorded in most history books or memorialized as a date which will live in infamy. Munitions detonated while being loaded onto a cargo vessel bound for the pacific theater of operations, killing 320 sailors and civilians and injuring 390 others. This sent ripples of change through the segregated armed forces. An ammunition ship explodes while being loaded in port chicago, california, killing 332 people on this day in 1944. The port chicago mutiny involved african american enlisted men in the u. The port chicago 50 and millions of other books are available for instant. Port chicago by dean mcleod arcadia publishing books. New york age detailing the port chicago explosion in 1944. With the help of many of the contra costa historical societies, local. Damage resulting from the 17 july 1944 ammunition explosion. The massive explosion on july 17, 1944, at the littleknown bay area navy base named port chicago, might not even register on the history radar for most people.
Would the us really blow up their own people for the sake of global. Gonegaryt writes say chaps, this might be old hat, but theres a fab site for conspiracy theory aficionados at. This is the story of the port chicago explosion that occurred 70 years ago on july 17, 1944. It is best known as the site of a devastating explosion at its naval munitions depot during world war ii. It is the site of the deadliest stateside disaster of world war ii, an accidental explosion which killed hundreds of men the majority of them black yet the port chicago naval magazine national memorial is the least visited site in the national park services system in the lower 48 states, even though its just an hours drive from san francisco. Peter vogels website and book is devoted to a nuclear theory of the explosion. The port chicago disaster was a deadly munitions explosion that occurred on july 17, 1944, at the port chicago naval magazine in port chicago, california, united states. This view looks southwest, showing collapsed building a14 garage in the center. Port chicago is located on an arm of san francisco bay about 30 miles northeast of oakland and san francisco.
A school library journal best book of the year on july 17, 1944, a massive explosion rocked the segregated navy base at port chicago, california, killing more than 300 sailors who were at the. After hundreds died in an explosion, black sailors refused to continue with the. Eleanor roosevelt sent a note and a naacps pamphlet. The weight of an explosive does not directly correlate with the energy or destructive impact of an explosion, as these can depend upon many. Many of the sailors that died in the port chicago disaster are now buried at golden gate national cemetery. Largest artificial nonnuclear explosions wikipedia. The united states world war ii military campaign in the pacific was in full swing at the time.
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