Extra! Extra! Eyes of the World on Texas: Texas City Disaster
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Texas City Disaster
A series of fires and explosions on April 16, 1947, culminated in what became known as the Texas City Disaster, a deadly day with hundreds killed and thousands injured in the country’s worst industrial accident up until that time. Two docked ships carrying ammonium nitrate fertilizer caught fire and blew up one after the other. The impact resembled a nuclear blast, with damage scattered across the city, some debris igniting more fires or destroying buildings and homes. In the aftermath, new regulations were established to handle the potentially dangerous cargo.
“Oil Fires Continue Blast Threats,” April 18, 1947, The Austin American. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
Disaster at Texas City by Ron Stone, 1987. TSLAC-MAIN Collection, 976.4139 ST72D. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
Photographs of Texas City before and after the disaster of April 16, 1947.
Disaster Proclamation, April 17, 1947. Texas Governor Beauford H. Jester records, 4-14/105. Disaster Proclamation, April 17, 1947 Page 1 and Disaster Proclamation, April 17, 1947 Page 2. Click or tap on links and images to view larger versions.
The day after the explosions, Governor Beauford Jester issued a proclamation that coordinated aid to Texas City. This document directs the Department of Public Safety to coordinate all rescue activities, the American Red Cross to coordinate relief efforts, and to close all roads leading into Texas City except for those involved in rescue and relief.
Ruins of destroyed ship following the disaster, April 1947. L. L. Cook Company Collection, 2016/179-1.
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Aerial view of Texas City following the first explosion, April 16, 1947. L. L. Cook Company Collection, 2016/179-2. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
This letter describes the request for a company of rangers to provide protection for a prisoner under threat of mob violence in San Saba.
The Texas City Disaster: Facts and Lessons, 1948. The National Board of Fire Underwriters. TSLAC-Main Collection, 976.4139 N213t.
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The Texas City Disaster: Facts and Lessons, 1948. The National Board of Fire Underwriters. TSLAC-Main Collection, 976.4139 N213t. This publication describes the Texas City disaster and subsequent actions. A fire in the docked ship the Grandcamp, which was carrying ammonium nitrate, caused the ship to explode. Embers from that fire landed on a neighboring ship, the High Flyer and led to another explosion some hours later. Pieces of burning cargo flew into the industrial area, causing additional fires and damage to the city. Pressure from the blasts took off roofs and stripped buildings, and windows broke in homes miles away. It was a monumental catastrophe with hundreds of lives lost.
In the aftermath, federal investigators found many regulations were ignored. Some outcomes were recommendations for more safety measures and permits for transferring ammonium nitrate over 500 pounds at ports from all ships in the United States and that the activity should take place away from population center.