Daily Event for October 7, 2012

USS Concord CL-10 was a post World War I era Omaha class cruiser built at William CRamp & Sons in Philadelphia in 1922. One of her missions during the Second World War was to transport Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd on a tour of the islands in the Pacific, he was to survey the islands for suitability for use by the U.S.A. He and his party embarked on Concord Sept. 4, 1943 at Balboa, Canal Zone, they departed the following day.

On October 7, 1943 they were anchored at Nuku Hiva Island in French Polynesia. Early in the morning they got underway from Taiohe Bay on the south side of the island to Anaho Bay on the north side. All went well until 0949 hours while they were entering Anaho Bay. At that time gasoline fumes were reported in the Chief Petty Officer's bunk room and the Executive Officer was dispatched to look into the matter.

Five minutes later a large explosion tore through the Chief Petty Officer's quarters, steering gear, steering aft, GSK storeroom and D-302. The explosion and fire killed nineteen men, including the Executive Officer, and blew two men overboard, who were shortly recovered. Three others would die from their wounds before the end of the day. The crew immediately went into action and brought the flames under control, and had the fire completely out by 1058 hours. While removing the dead and wounded from a shell handling room one man died of asphyxiation. The damage was serious, some compartments were flooded while putting the fires out, the steering gear was out of order and several plates were buckled. As a safety precaution ammunition including depth charges were put over the side to keep them from exploding due to the heat.

Following the disaster the ship entered the bay using her screws to maneuver and Admiral Byrd and his party were put ashore. Repairs were begun, but it took some time before the fumes could be completely evacuated from the ship. On Oct. 9 at 1745 hours the commanding officer Captain Irving R. Chambers, held a service for the twenty-three men who were lost in the disaster, they were all buried at sea.

I have not been able to discover the cause of the gasoline leak or exactly what sparked the explosion.
© 2012 Michael W. Pocock
MaritimeQuest.com


USS Concord CL-10.


Roll of Honor
In memory of those who lost their lives in
USS Concord CL-10
"As long as we embrace them in our memory, their spirit will always be with us"

Name
Rate
Notes
Bartlett, George A.
Electrician's Mate 1st Class
Boyette, Eldridge W.
Chief Carpenter's Mate
Bryan, John G.
Machinist's Mate 2nd Class
Burlile, Dale S.
Fireman 3rd Class
Dewhurst, Robert F.
Chief Yeoman
Elliott, Rogers
Commander
Exec. Officer
Ferguson, Harley E.
Chief Boatswain's Mate
Henderson, Ray W.
Chief Electrician's Mate
Hines, Donald A.
Shipfitter 3rd Class (USNR)
Kuhn, Sylvester R.
Motor Machinist's Mate 1st Class
Loftis, James O.
Chief Gunner's Mate
Loiacono, Salvatore T.
Seaman 2nd Class
Maher, Jr., William J.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Marsh, James A.
Chief Watertender
Melton, Henry H.
Electrician's Mate 1st Class
Perkins, Junius L.
Chief Gunner's Mate
Pierce, Marvin L.
Seaman 2nd Class
Reed, Kenneth J.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Rodriguez, Martin B.
Seaman 1st Class
Sauer, Frank A.
Seaman 1st Class
Warrick, Calvin D.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Wright, Charles P.
Chief Machinist's Mate
Yeager, Bernard L.
Watertender 2nd Class


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