And, I might add, "About Time!!"
This is an even that most Americans don't know about, including myself until just recently. But, it was the worst US home front disaster during World War II.
I didn't read about this in any paper, but the October 28th Contra Costa Times reported that President Obama just signed a bill into law which gives the National Parks Service control of the Port Chicago Naval Magazine Memorial and five acres around the blast site. This makes it eligible for federal funding and a visitors center is planned.
On July 17, 1944, the blast at Port Chicago in Suisun Bay north of Concord (San Francisco Bay) killed 320 sailors, 202 of whom were black, and injured 400 others. Ships were being loaded with ammunition at the time.
Fifty black sailors later refused to go back to work because of unsafe conditions. They were arrested and convicted of mutiny for refusing to obey orders. This led to pressure on President Truman to desegregate the military.
The cause of the explosion has never been found. It became a National Memorial in 1992. It is the 392nd unit of the National Park System.
Long Overdue. --Da Coot
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