The Texas City Disaster

April 16, 1947

The Texas City Disaster was the deadliest industrial accident in US history claiming the lives of at least 581 people and all but one member of the Texas City Fire Department.  A fire erupted on the French Liberty Ship Goodcamp, which was docked in the port, the morning of April 16, 1947.  The SS Goodcamp was carrying over 2300 tons of ammonium nitrate, small arms ammunition, sisal twine, peanuts, drilling equipment, tobacco, and cotton.  Smoke was observed in the cargo hold and extinguishing efforts were ineffective.  Around 9:00 am, the Captain of the Goodcamp ordered his men to steam the hold, a firefighting method where steam is piped into a hold to extinguish fires.  The steam may have contributed to the fire by converting the ammonium nitrate into nitrous oxide.  At 9:12 am the ammonium nitrate reached an explosive threshold and the Goodcamp detonated causing unimaginable destruction to the port and Texas City itself.  The blast leveled over 1,000 buildings on land and created a 15 foot wave which was detectable for over 100 miles off shore.

Appromixately 15 hours after the initial explosion the cargo ship High flyer, which was moored in the adjacent slip and loaded with almost 1,000 tons of ammonium nitrate and 1,800 tons of Sulfur, exploded causesing more damage.  One of the propellars from the high flyer was found nearly 1 mile inland.

A positive result of this disaster was widespread disaaster reponse planning, the Industrial Mutual Aid System (IMAS), to help organize plant, local, and regional responses. Quality control officials implemented new standards for the transportation and dispersal of ammonium nitrate.

A memorial was constructed at the site of the cemetary for the unidentified victims off of 25th Ave North in Texas City. Every April 16 a service is held at the memorial to honor all of those lost in the tragedy.

If you would like additional information about the Texas City Disaster, please flow the links below:

http://www.texascity-library.org/disaster/index.php

http://www.local1259iaff.org/disaster.html