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October 21, 2006
Harbor Disaster Remembered
The history of firefighting in the Los Angeles Harbor is often overlooked, as high-rise, brush, and celebrity fires battle for the local media spotlight. Yet, thanks to Los Angeles firefighters in the harbor area, our community has been spared from serious incidents, with only a few exceptions. Even when potentially major events began to unfold, LA Firefighters, Fire Boats, and accompanying land companies worked collaboratively to reduce the danger and save lives.
On October 21, 1944, World War II was still raging on multiple fronts. Major battles in the Pacific and in Europe held the attention of the public. Our ports, major aveneus for resupply for troops overseas, were also seen as targets for opportunistic spies or enemy infiltrators.
Yet, it was the ordinary activities that resulted in the most significant events. On that fateful October day, an oil tanker, doing what all oil tankers do in port, suddenly sent shockwaves throughout the San Pedro community. Noted retired LAFD Chief Bill Goss tells the story of Berth 233 and the tanker S.S. Fredicksburg.
CLICK HERE to read the story (Thanks to LAFD FF/spokesperson Brian Humphrey for posting this story).
Posted by dbarrett at October 21, 2006 02:30 AM