1947 Texas City Disaster Memorials Tour

On April 16, 1947, three ships--the "Grandcamp", the "High Flyer", and the "Wilson B. Keene"--were docked in the Texas City port. They were loaded with cargo, including ammonium nitrate fertilizer, bound for Europe to assist in the Post-World War II recovery effort. At 8:33 a. m. the Texas City fire department responded to a call for assistance with a fire on the "Grandcamp". As smoke billowed from the ship, spectators gathered to watch. The "Grandcamp" exploded at 9:12 a. m. with a tremendous force that was felt for miles around. A second explosion came at 1:10 a. m. on April 17, when the "High Flyer's" cargo caught fire, destroying the "Wilson B. Keene" as well. More than 550 people, including 27 firemen, were killed; Flying pieces of concrete, steel, and glass injured thousands more; Resulting fires took days to extinguish. Response to the disaster came immediately, with the American Red Cross coordinating relief efforts. Far-reaching effects of the Texas City disaster incuded the implementation of safety standards and revised emergency medical treatment procedures. Citizens determined to rebuild. By 1950 few physical reminders of the disaster remained, although the event retains a prominent place in state and national history.

External website with story and historical photos

Texas City Memorial Cemetery

Texas City Memorial Cemetery located at North Loop 197 and 29th Street	3200 lbs anchor of the Grandcamp thrown 8575 ft when the ship exploded April 16, 1947
Closeup of plaque on anchor	Entrance to the Memorial Cemetery
Grief statue within Memorial Park	Plaque on the bench left of the Grief statue
Grief statue with Historical Commission Plaque detail to the right --->
	Mound where remains of unidentified are buried
Fireman's Memorial in front of Grief statue	In Memory of Texas City Volunteer Firemen
Photo from the second burial mound	Memorial listing those who died
Poem written on cemetery entrance post	Poem on other cemetery entrance post
Kiosk detailing the story of the disaster	Memorial to Peace with a child holding dove
Memorial to Texas City war dead	Memorial to Texas City WWII dead

Anchor Park

Anchor Park located at Bay St. and Dike Rd entrance	Another Grandcamp anchor at the Dike entrance
Plaque to the left of the anchor

Mikeska-Sandberg Park

Highflyer propeller at Loop 197 South at Dock Road	The tiny park is surrounded by refineries
Two plaques underneath the propeller	Park known as Mikeska-Sandberg Park

February 21st, 2004