Who knew about this Naval disaster?

[QC]

I just ran across this in an LA Times pictorial yesterday: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Point_Disaster

I had never heard of it, or completely blocked it which makes no sense. I have lived my whole life in So Cal, and have also been a voracious reader of anything since I was 10ish. And I used to read and dream in Boating and Yachting Mags too. Although the explanations make sense, it is still almost inconceivable. I have one of us in mind who will know this story, any others? And simply Wow!!

P.S. I posted the other day in the Activities section to be wary of the So Cal Coast and her Islands and was mildly scoffed at by another member. Today I feel vindicated

 

[86 century]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

I fancy myself a bit of a history buff and have never heard of this.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

How about this one? I knew of the Honda Point because of a fellow sailer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Chicago_disaster

 

[QC]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

^^^^^^ No, missed that one too. Holy carp!!

 

[rbh]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

How about this one. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax_explosion

Coastal patrols in the early years were deadly, and how about the captain of the battle ship that asked the light house to move because he thought he had the right of way!

 

[southkogs]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

These two aren't quite in the same arena, but I found them when looking into river steamers when I moved down here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Sultana
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Walker_steamboat_disaster

Boiler explosions are pretty amazing ... not quite as spectacular as munitions, though.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

Bad part of the Sultana was that the soldiers didn't know how to swim. Hadn't heard of the Lucy. steam ships as all steam powered vehicles have a weak spot. They had steam trator explode at a county fair here in Ohio years back due to a weak boiler plate. Many times they tied shut the releif valve which alowed the boiler to overpresurize.

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

Check out the History Channel on the Port Chicago disaster. I remember seeing a show about it a few years ago. They also did a show about the Sultana. I think it may have been on "The Civil War Journal". Not sure though. Interesting stuff.

 

[QC]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

Back to Honda Point for a minute . . . Can you imagine 7 honkin' destroyers basically following each other into the shoreline? It's amazing. And theeennnn, you have all of the Captain's sharing in blame. What happens if one of the ship's navigators convinces his Captain that they are headed for the rocks? They were operating under wartime rules. If he turns away early is he in trouble?

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

How about this one QC? As usual, the folks of Newfoundland acquitted themselves brilliantly. (also could google "Delta flight 15" )

http://www.mun.ca/mha/polluxtruxtun/media/

~ also ~

how about "Halsey's Typhoon"?

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

Check out the History Channel on the Port Chicago disaster. I remember seeing a show about it a few years ago. They also did a show about the Sultana. I think it may have been on "The Civil War Journal". Not sure though. Interesting stuff.

I was stationed at NWS Concord the former Port Chicago base. I had seen the destuction 35 years after the fact. The peir was being used for the tugs. The town of Port Chicago was leveled. Worse part is they are still not sure of the cause but is believed old munitions, one cause may have been a Japanize sub nothing left of the 2 ships, caused the porters to refused to return to work. The base is now closed due to presure from a former speaker of the house.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

Back to Honda Point for a minute . . . Can you imagine 7 honkin' destroyers basically following each other into the shoreline? It's amazing. And theeennnn, you have all of the Captain's sharing in blame. What happens if one of the ship's navigators convinces his Captain that they are headed for the rocks? They were operating under wartime rules. If he turns away early is he in trouble?

I'd be interested in how the Navy guys answer that question. My guess from my familiarity with USAF (not been in personally) is if you save crew and airplane, you're excused from bending/breaking rules. I would think the same would be even more true on a "can."

Then again, there's the old saw about "Well Admiral, we're a lighthouse. So, you can take your chances ..."

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

How about this one. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax_explosion

Coastal patrols in the early years were deadly, and how about the captain of the battle ship that asked the light house to move because he thought he had the right of way!

I have been aware of the Halifax Bang for years. Got taught about it at school.
We were taught all about each member of the then British Empire/Commonwealth.
Cheers
Phillip

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

How about this one QC? As usual, the folks of Newfoundland acquitted themselves brilliantly. (also could google "Delta flight 15" )

http://www.mun.ca/mha/polluxtruxtun/media/

~ also ~

how about "Halsey's Typhoon"?

This happened about a half hour from my boyhood home. 203 American sailors lost their lives due to a nav error. 186 men were saved

 

[ezbtr]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

Port Chicago/Concord Naval Weapons Station/MOTCO is indeed still open, we ship munitions out of it mainly, I got there every few months.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

Pretty cool stuff guys!

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

Hey, we have ships blow up in Texas too!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_City_Disaster

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

This happened about a half hour from my boyhood home. 203 American sailors lost their lives due to a nav error. 186 men were saved

A proud heritage!
I spent 8 years on the island, and enjoyed every minute.

It was a remarkable event with some amazing individual stories....such as this one:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/15/AR2010091507189.html?nav=emailpage

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

Port Chicago/Concord Naval Weapons Station/MOTCO is indeed still open, we ship munitions out of it mainly, I got there every few months.

I was under the impretion it was closed, was there in 1980 time frame, had heard from several sources it was closed.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Who knew about this Naval disaster?

. What happens if one of the ship's navigators convinces his Captain that they are headed for the rocks? They were operating under wartime rules. If he turns away early is he in trouble?

If the other 6 ships run aground and you don't I'd say you'd be deemed a hero.