The Explosion

The Port Chicago Disaster:

​​​​​​​Communicating the Racial Injustice in the Armed Forces

The Explosion

On July 17, 1944, at 10:19 PM, two tremendous explosions occurred only seconds apart, killing “375 men I think, that was reported to us who lost their lives. But it tore down the barracks that we were in. It tore them up like they were match boxes,” says Joe Small, further injuring 360, the majority of whom were African-Americans. Only 51 bodies were identified. The explosion of 5000 tons of TNT measured as a 3.4 magnitude earthquake.

Pier after explosion (Source) National Park Service

Mess Hall  ​​​​​​​(Source) National Park Service

Aerial image of explosion  (Source) National Park Service

(Source) NBC Bay Area

"I am injured in my spine, but that is nothing compared with my many friends who have been blown into forgetfulness."
~ Joseph Crosby, 28, Port Chicago disaster survivor

The exact cause of the explosion is unknown but the disaster was the most devastating event on American soil in WWII. ​​​​​​​

"Man, it was awful -- that was a sight. You see a shoe with a foot in it, and then you would remember how you'd said you're gonna be the first one out of the hold. And you see a head floating across on the water -- just the head, arm. Bodies, just awful. And no ships still and no dock."
~ Jack Critteden, Port Chicago 50

Boat after explosion(Source) National Park Service

(Source) US Deptartment of Veterans Affairs

 Surviving  sailors were transferred to Mare Island where an official inquiry was held, led by Captain Albret G. Cook. White sailors were permitted to go home, while blacks sailors were required to stay to find survivors, the dead bodies of their peers, and clear the rubble. Furthermore, a  Congressional bill  sending $5,000 to the families of victims was reduced to $3,000 after segregationist Representative John Rankin learned that African-Americans would  receive this funding. ​​​​​​​

"You loaded the ammo on the boat and it was a terrible thing. You wondered is this it? Is this it? Is it going to explode?"
~ William Ross, survior of Port Chicago Disaster

After 39 days and 120 interviews, a 1,200 page report concluded that neither the white sailors nor officials were guilty; full blame was put on the black sailors, stating they were “reckless". Interestingly, although they didn’t determine what caused the explosion, they were able to determine blame.

(Source) San Francisco Chronicles

Soon after, the sailors were ordered to continue loading munitions on Mare Island base.

The fear-ridden African-American sailors had had enough. 330 men refused to load without safer procedures. 70 people abandoned the work-stoppage immediately. The 258 remaining were threatened by the Admiral with mutiny, punishable by death during wartime. Another 208 left, with bad conduct discharges, losing their veteran benefits and three months pay. However, the 50 sailors continued the work-stoppage, but, were charged with mutiny, coining the name, Port Chicago 50.

"I wasn’t trying to shirk work. I don’t think these other men were trying to shirk work. But to go back to work under the same conditions, with no improvements, no changes, the same group of officers that we had, was just—we thought there was a better alternative."
~ Joe Small, leader of Port Chicago 50

Military Background
Mutiny Trial