One of the Deadliest Industrial Accidents Ever Happened in Texas

Texas is a big, beautiful state with lots of history. Some of that history is inspiring and builds a lot of state pride. Other parts of Texas history are not so positive, and we need to learn from previous mistakes. Including what happened in April of 1947 when one of the deadliest industrial accidents ever took place in Texas. 

It’s now known as the Texas City Disaster which took place April 16th, 1947, aboard the SS Grandcamp. The ship was packed full of ammonium nitrate which is a highly explosive compound most used in fertilizers and explosives. 

How the Texas City Disaster Started 

The SS Grandcamp was docked at the port in Texas City with 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate, when a fire broke out in the ship’s hold. Crew members attempted to put out the fire but at approximately 9:12 am the ship exploded. 

The Explosion Caused a Chain Reaction 

The explosion created a massive 15-foot tidal wave which devastated the port. The initial blast caused a chain reaction with a nearby oil storage facility and other ships including the SS High Flyer to explode.  

How Many Causalities Due to the Texas City Disaster 

Over 5,000 people were injured and nearly 600 people died. The explosion was felt as far as 100 miles away in Louisiana. There were 1,000 buildings leveled by the blast, which did major damage to infrastructure and port facilities.  

The exact cause of the fire is unknown, although many believe it was caused by improper storage or handling of the ammonium nitrate. The disaster caused industry standards to be implemented, specifically around storing and transporting explosive materials.  

There is now a memorial in Texas City to honor the victims and first responders who lost their life during the Texas City Disaster.