The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #87643 Message #1637581
Posted By: open mike
30-Dec-05 - 03:44 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Port Chicago Ca1944 ammo ship explosion
Subject: Lyr Req: Port Chicago Ca1944 ammo ship explosion
The discussion about the ammunition ship explosion in Halifax in 1917 reminded me of this ww2 disaster in California. Mostly black laborers (military?) were emplpoyed at this s.f. bay area ammunition depot. 320 were killed in an explosion...said to be the worst Stateside naval disaster in United States history. (Google Port Chicago.) Have any songs been written about this? July 17, 1944 ammunition ship explosion at the Port Chicago Naval Ammunition Depot,Suisun Bay, California. There is a memorial to this event at the Concord Naval Weapons Station.