EXPLODED SHIPS

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 July 1944, Page 5

EXPLODED SHIPS

BLOWN TO SHREDS. SAN FRANCISCO, July 18. At least 343 naval personnel and civilians were, killed and three hundred injured in the explosion of the ammunition ships, reports the United Press. The roar of the blast shot out across the San Francisco Bay area-, giving rise to rumours of an earthquake, and shattering windows fifty miles distant. To-day, Port Chicago, a gold rush and lumber port, resembled a ghost town left by giant vandals. Frames .of buildings remained standing, but every window was shattered. Captain Goss, Commanding Officer of the naval ammunition depot, said the cause of thfi blast has not been determined, as there are no survivors to give evidence of what happened. He added that one ship was loaded with several thousand tons 'of explosives. The other was only slightly loaded. As the work was being done under

heavy supcrvisioii. there would be :t heavy loss of officers. LATER. Vessels involved in the Port Chicago explosion were the victory ship “Quinuuil" oi" ten thousand tons, and the freighter “Bj-yon” of seven thousand live hundred tons, which were literally blown to shreds. The Bryon was carrying one thousand tons of explosives. She disintegrated in billowing clouds of flame, shattering and flattening everything around. The Quinault exploded almost simultaneously. The majority of the dead are Negroes of Navy loading crews. EXTENT OF DAMAGE.

SAN FRANCISCO, July .19. A The number of dead in the Port Chicago explosion is now estimated A at 377~and the'injured at 500 to 1000. R Property damage is well over five . million dollars. Only four bodies have ■ been recovered so far. The Red Cross' is feeding 1500 and relief activities will probably extend over ten days,