Im an emergency manager, and em educator working in texas city. Despite immediate attempts to extinguish the fire, it rapidly intensified until the grandcamp exploded in a blast that caused massive loss of life and property. Texas city, texas history, disasters, photos, related. Houston native jay thames making a movie about 1947 texas city explosion. A damaged church after the 1947 texas city disaster the. The explosion that devastated a texas town and ignited a historic legal battle. Texas city, tx april 16, 1947 ammonium nitrate fertilizer cargo ship the morning of 16 april 1947 dawned clear and crisp, cooled by a brisk north wind. Texas city explosion 1947 uvadisasters wiki fandom. Wheaton states, a complete story of the texas city disaster can never be told. A preliminary report on the texas city explosion book, 1947. The images emerging from wednesdays fertilizer plant explosion in west, texas are reminiscent of the texas city disaster an april 16, 1947 explosion that killed more than 500 people. A memorial texas city disaster 1947in the foreword of the book texas city remembers, by elizabeth lee wheaton which was published about a year after the disaster in 1948, ms.
Keene, destroyed in the disasters second explosion. Bee may, a survivor of the texas city disaster, displays a photograph of a rubble pile she was trapped under after the explosion in 1947. April 16, 1947, started out like any other spring day along the gulf coast in the town of texas city, tx, population 16,000. The grandcamp was one of two cargo ships that blew up in texas city s harbor in 1947. Burke was born in houston, texas, but grew up on the texaslouisiana gulf coast. This morning it was to be loaded with the remainder of its ammonium. A midmorning fire started on board the french registered vessel ss grandcamp docked in the port. These two books can be purchased at any book store or through the links provided on this page. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. The building to the left has sustained damage to windows and some damage is visible on the facing wall.
This book gives an in depth account of the events of the texas city disaster from a distance of 50 years. The disaster started with a fire on board the frenchregistered ss grandcamp, which was docked in. Grandcamp cargo ship exploded in the texas city port, killing more than 550 people and creating an unexpected calamity among those living and working in the area. Anchor blown over a mile from explosion relic of the deadliest industrial accident in u. The incident began as a late morning fire on the french vessel ss grandcamp which had been docked next to texas city and nearby galveston. Apr 14, 2020 a giant explosion occurs during the loading of fertilizer onto the freighter grandcamp at a pier in texas city, texas, on april 16, 1947. On april 16, 1947, a small fire broke out among bags o. Sep 28, 2018 nearly 600 people died when a freighter docked at texas city exploded on april 16, 1947. April 16, 1947, and in texas city it seemed a good morning to be alive. Seventy years ago, texas city was a littleknown shipping port on the southeast coast of texas.
The texas city disaster, 1947 kindle edition by hugh w. This started a chain reaction of additional fires and explosions in other ships and nearby oilstorage f. In 1947, texas city was booming, bristling with chemical and oil plants built to fuel europes seemingly endless appetite for raw materials. Texas city disaster simple english wikipedia, the free. How sad that the lessons from texas city, texas, were not known nor remembered by those people in west, texas on april 17, 20, the exact same day of the month of april in 1947 when the second ship, high flyer, moored at the texas city dock exploded. At 100 years old, texas city is a relatively young city. People stand on the sidewalk across the street from the lucus cafe, a liquor store and a dime store. Feb 11, 2017 on 16 april 1947, an arms carrier called the ss grandcamp carrying 2,300 tons of highly volatile ammonium nitrate exploded after a fire on board. The population was 49,153 in 2018, making it the thirdlargest city in galveston county, behind league city and galveston. The texas city disaster, 1947 1997 edition open library. The disaster left an indelible mark on the city, but the people of texas city proved resilient.
The texas city disaster was an industrial accident that occurred april 16, 1947, in the port of texas city, texas, at galveston bay. The texas city disaster was an industrial accident that occurred on april 16, 1947, in the port of texas city. It leveled over 1,000 buildings and left nearly 600 people dead. The bp facility in texas city is the united states thirdlargest oil refinery, employing over 2,000 people, processing 460,000 barrels 73,000 m. Jul 25, 2011 texas city recovered from the explosion and in the following decades, continued to be a place of pride for its citizens. Texas city explosion, april 16, 1947 i attended 1st grade in galveston at the rosenberg school on 10th street. This morning it was to be loaded with the remainder of. My parents were married in austin on april 16, 1947, and many times over the years they mentioned the explosion on that day. Located on the southwest shoreline of galveston bay, texas city is a busy deepwater port on texas gulf coast, as well as a petroleumrefining and petrochemicalmanufacturing center. Stephens draws on official reports, newspaper and magazine articles, personal letters, and interviews with several dozen survivors to provide the first full account of the 1947 disaster at texas city. How a fertilizer accident led to the deadliest industrial disaster in american history.
The historic 1947 texas city disaster by 77 films youtube. Nov 05, 2008 the texas city explosion of 1947 on april 16,1947, a day that probably began like many others, in texas city, texas until shortly before 8. Theres a world of new ideas in every books newsletter. Stephens draws on official reports, newspaper and magazine articles, personal letters, and interviews with several dozen survivors to. Texas city explosion, april 16, 1947 american national red cross. The explosion that devastated a texas town and ignited a historic legal battle minutaglio, bill on. Texas city recovered from the explosion and in the following decades, continued to be a place of pride for its citizens. April 15 through april 17 are the calendar days associated with the filing deadline for federal income taxes. The texas city disaster of april 16, 1947 was the deadliest industrial accident in u. Texas city explosion of 1947 industrial disaster, texas. Many years later there was a tv special about the texas city explosion and i understood why it was so ingrained in their memories. Texas city, tx disaster explosion and fire, apr 1947. The tragedy of death and destruction was performed on too big a stage for one.
The texas city explosion of 1947 on april 16,1947, a day that probably began like many others, in texas city, texas until shortly before 8. One of the largest manmade nonnuclear explosions in history occurred in the port of texas city. The texas city explosion of 1947 essay 1035 words cram. Death on the water front the saturday evening post. The disaster killed more than 295 students and teachers. The morning of 16 april 1947 dawned clear and crisp, cooled by a brisk north wind. Nearly 600 people died when a freighter docked at texas city exploded on april 16, 1947. Apr 18, 20 four steelworkers, their rescue efforts halted by darkness, leave the dock area at texas city on april 19, 1947. Sep 19, 2016 the texas city disaster, on the morning of april 16, 1947, was the subject of university of texas clinical professor of journalism bill minutaglios book, city on fire. The pages of this book are filled with images dating from the 1950s and 1960s to bring back the feeling of a bygone era in texas city. The texas city disaster was an industrial accident that occurred april 16, 1947, in the port of texas city. Texas city, tx anchor blown over a mile from explosion.
I think this is an excellent addition to any em curriculum as it details success and. Propeller blown a mile from explosion, texas city, texas. Us needs president who wont spend day after day dividing. As of 2017, the event is the third deadliest disaster in the history of texas, after the 1900 galveston hurricane and the 1947. A deadly 1947 explosion in texas city was also caused by. Property damage was immense, with over 1,000 residences and buildings throughout texas city damaged or destroyed by the concussion from the explosion. Just before 8 am, longshoremen removed the hatch covers on hold 4 of the french liberty ship grandcamp as they. Fe citizens who survived the texas city explosion of april 16. May 24, 2015 the texas city disaster was an industrial accident that occurred april 16, 1947, in the port of texas city. Aug 24, 2017 how a fertilizer accident led to the deadliest industrial disaster in american history. Texas city explosion of 1947, industrial disaster sparked by the fire and explosion of the ss grandcamp on april 1617, 1947, in texas city, texas. The tragedy of death and destruction was performed on too big a stage for one mind to comprehend and recount the whole of it. This morning it was to be loaded with the remainder of its ammonium nitrate fertilizer. Texas city explosion of 1947 texas history notebook.
This book was a 1987 class project of a santa fe 7th grade class who interviewed survivors. A wounded survivor of the 1947 texas city disaster the. On march 23, 2005, the city suffered another explosion in a local bp formerly amoco oil refinery which killed 15 and injured over 100. The hatch covers were removed from hold 4 of the french ship grandcamp. Aug 29, 2016 houston native jay thames making a movie about 1947 texas city explosion. The texas city disaster was an industrial accident that occurred april 16, 1947, in the port of.
Texas city disaster 1947 book images all disaster msimages. It was one of the deadliest industrial accidents in u. The day texas city lost its fire department firehouse. A church shows noticeable damage after the 1947 texas city disaster. Aug 04, 2018 annual 1947 disaster reunion photo set for april local texas city explosion 1947 uvadisasters wiki fandom 1947 texas city disaster rppc photo postcard searching. On april 16, 1947, texas city, texas became home to one of the worst accidents in americas history. The texas city explosion of 1947 1044 words bartleby. The explosion that devastated a texas town and ignited a historic legal battle by bill minutaglio first published in 2003, city on fire is a gripping, intimate account of the explosions of two ships loaded with ammonium nitrate fertilizer that demolished texas city, texas, in april 1947, in one of most catastrophic disasters in american history. In texas, they are also known for being the days that surround the anniversary of the texas city explosion. I was six years old when this tragic event occurred. Train exhibit open saturdays only children 6 and under free. Texas city disaster 1947 books local 1259 texas city. Longshoremen busily loaded ships at the port of texas city and other.
Texas city disaster news newspapers books scholar jstor april 2017 learn how and when to remove this template message. Four steelworkers, their rescue efforts halted by darkness, leave the dock area at texas city on april 19, 1947. They also can be checked out at the moore memorial public library in texas city. Houston native jay thames making a movie about 1947 texas.
The 1947 texas city disaster on april 16, 1947, a ship loaded with ammonium nitrate fertilizer blew up, causing secondary explosions and forever linking the city to one of americas worst industrial disasters. This books text describing texas citys background and the events of the disaster was used in the book we were there and also in the book a pictorial history. A giant explosion occurs during the loading of fertilizer onto the freighter grandcamp at a pier in texas city, texas, on april 16, 1947. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Stephens, 1997, university of texas press edition, in english 1st ed. On april 16, 1947, the frenchowned ship known as the ss grandcamp was being loaded with 100 pound. While in port at galveston bay, the french freighter grandcamp caught fire, setting off an explosion of its stores of. Apr 09, 2020 texas city explosion of 1947, industrial disaster sparked by the fire and explosion of the ss grandcamp on april 1617, 1947, in texas city, texas. On 16 april 1947, an arms carrier called the ss grandcamp carrying 2,300 tons of highly volatile ammonium nitrate exploded after a fire on board.
The grandcamp was one of two cargo ships that blew up in texas citys harbor in 1947. Nbcs local houston station covers the april 16, 1947, texas city disaster. The story of the texas city explosions americas worst industrial disaster in terms of casualties has never. The left wall has partially detached from the framework, and windows have been blown out. A woman with bandages on her face and arm and bloodstained clothing looks at the camera. Here is the minutebyminute account of the terrible blast that destroyed. On this day in 1947, more than 500 lives were lost khou 11 staff. The fire detonated 2,300 tons of fertilizer, resulting in the largest industrial explosion in u. The texas city disaster, on the morning of april 16, 1947, was the subject of university of texas clinical professor of journalism bill minutaglios book, city on fire. Although the explosion itself was a shock, the proceeding turmoil could have been predominantly avoided.
City on fire the explosion that devastated a texas town. The huge cloud of smoke created by the 1947 explosion of the french ship grandcamp caused many to fear that. A preliminary report on the texas city explosion book. Annual 1947 disaster reunion photo set for april local texas city explosion 1947 uvadisasters wiki fandom 1947 texas city disaster rppc photo postcard searching for remembering the 1947 texas city explosion 30 images of the destruction from texas city disaster. Reflecting on the 1947 texas city disaster new york post.
The new london school explosion occurred on march 18, 1937, when a natural gas leak caused an explosion, destroying the london school of new london, texas, a community in rusk county previously known as london. A wounded survivor of the 1947 texas city disaster, photograph, april 16, 1947. In 1962, the city transformed the anchor from the grandcamp blown away from the ship and buried in the ground near the texas city railway terminal in the explosion into a memorial for the disaster. Some 2,300 tons were already onboard, 880 of which were in the lower part of. In 1947, two ships docked at texas city near galveston exploded because the potential hazard of ammonium nitrate wasnt understood. Information for this description was drawn from the handbook of texas online and the book the texas city disaster, 1947 by hugh stephens, published by the university of texas press. I read this book for a class and it was quite interesting. On april 16, 1947, a small fire broke out among bags of ammonium nitrate fertilizer in the hold of the ship grandcamp as it lay docked at texas city, texas. The huge cloud of smoke created by the 1947 explosion of the. First published in 2003, city on fire is a gripping, intimate account of the explosions of two ships loaded with ammonium nitrate fertilizer that demolished texas city, texas, in april 1947, in one of most catastrophic disasters in american history. The blast set off a chain of fires as well as a 15foot 4.
Stuart villanuevathe galveston county daily news via. The explosion that devastated a texas town and ignited a historic legal battle by bill minutaglio. The texas city disaster of 1947 was a major and very deadly incident. Between 400 and 600 people were killed, with as many as 4,000 injured. A wounded survivor of the 1947 texas city disaster description.
Wikipedia a business in downtown texas city that was destroyed by the shock wave of the explosion. Texas city, texas history, disasters, photos, related stories. A midmorning fire started on board the frenchregistered vessel ss grandcamp, and detonated her cargo of approximately 2,200 tons of ammonium nitrate. City on fire the explosion that devastated a texas town and. Rescue worker are busy because of a series of blasts that swept the city of 15,000. What texas city might tell us about west, texas texas. Stephens draws on official reports, newspaper and magazine articles, personal letters, and interviews with several dozen survivors to provide the first full. It happened on wednesday, april 16, 1947, and was one of the largest nonnuclear explosions to hit the united states. On april 16, 1947, a fire broke out on the ss grandcamp, which, unfortunately, was packed with 2,300 tons of explosive ammonium nitrate.
698 1409 699 320 1152 192 1419 486 1569 616 15 1574 160 1550 396 679 375 1128 756 1109 1486 481 704 1668 267 1543 1394 293 137 1106 714 1573 869 434 21 631 947 1433 469 856 859 682 180