1956 — Jan 17, SS Salem Maritime kerosine explosion/fire, loading at terminal, Rose Bluff, LA–21

–21 NFPA. “Large Loss Fires of 1956.” Quarterly of…, V. 50, N. 4, April 1957, pp. 330-331.
–21 National Fire Protection Association. The 1984 Fire Almanac. 1983, p. 140.
–21 USCG. Commandant’s Action on MBI; Explosion/Fire…SS Salem Maritime…, July, 1956

Narrative Information

National Fire Protection Association Quarterly: “Ships…Jan. 17, near Lake Charles, La., Cities Service Oil Co., et al. $3,171,500; 21 killed.

“10,584 gross ton tanker; three tank barges; two loading docks. During loading of the tanker an explosion occurred in a cargo tank into which kerosene was being loaded. He explosion ripped open the ship, killed 18 crewmen and three shore employees and was followed by fire that practically destroyed the tanker, three tank barges tied up nearby and two loading docks. U.S. Coast Guard investigators have concluded that the explosion occurred in a cargo tank into which kerosene was being introduced and that discharge of static generated by the splashing and turbulence ignited gasoline vapors in the tank. Adjoining cargo tanks had been filled with gasoline and there is evidence that a leak had been discovered in the bulkhead between the gasoline and kerosene tanks just prior to loading of the kerosene tank.” (NFPA. “Large Loss Fires of 1956.” Quarterly of the NFPA, Vol. 50, No. 4, April 1957, pp. 330-331.)

United States Coast Guard Findings of Fact: “At or about 2220 hours, CST, 17 January 1956, the SS Salem Maritime exploded and burst into flames while loading a cargo of oil at the Cities Service Refining Terminal at Rose Bluff, Louisiana, located near Lake Charles, Louisiana, causing three unmanned tank barges to burn, damage to refinery property and resulting in the death of 18 crew members and 3 shore personnel.” (USCG. SS Salem Maritime…, July, 1956, p. 3)

“The Salem Maritime, a T-2 tanker of 10,584 g.t., built in 1945, owned and operated by the Cities Service Oil Company…The vessel was divided into 9 cargo tanks of 3 sections each…Tanks Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 were loaded with No. 2 heating oil, tank No. 9 was loaded with gasoline, and tanks Nos. 5 and 6 were loaded with kerosene. Tanks Nos. 7 and 8 were also to be loaded with kerosene.

“Gasoline was found leaking through a defective bulkhead from No. 9 into No. 8 starboard wing tank and it was seemingly decided not to load No. 8 starboard wing tanks. From the evidence it is not clear whether this decision extended to No. 8 center tank. 10,000 barrels of kerosene remained to be loaded and while this cargo was being loaded in the completing stages of No. 7 across or in the beginning stages of No. 8 center tank, an explosion occurred in No. 8 tanks across.

“The deck over No. 8 center and starboard wing was torn away from the bulkhead between No. 7 and No. 8 tanks and bent back to the after deckhouse, and the deck area over No. 8 port wing tank was blown ashore about 500 ft. from the vessel. As a result of the explosion and ensuing fire, 18 crew members and 3 shore employees perished, including the master and the personnel engaged in loading aboard the tanker. The Salem Maritime and three tank barges in close proximity and shore installations were severely damaged….. [p. 1.]

“The conclusions of the Board in effect state that gasoline from No. 9 tanks, through a defective bulkhead, was leaking into the No. 8 tanks, in which No. 8 tanks kerosene was to be loaded, that failure to test the bulkhead separating No. 8 and No. 9 tanks prior to loading was poor judgment and that such tanks should have been tested at sea prior to arrival in port, and that the explosion was caused by a spark caused by splashing and turbulence of kerosene where it was discharged into the bottom of No. 8 center tank, coming in contact with water in said tank.” (USCG. SS Salem Maritime, 1956, p. 2.)

“Precautions are now used to wet the bottoms of the dry tanks with water and use dry ice in loading tank barges with kerosene.” (USCG. SS Salem Maritime, 1956, p. 9)

“It is recommended that regulations be considered for requiring the testing of bulkheads dividing tanks which are to separate explosive liquids from non-explosive liquids before loading.

“It is further recommended the Commandant obtain the cooperation of the Petroleum Industry to arrive at a safe loading rate aboard tank vessels where explosive liquids are involved. That further safety precautions also be considered, such as testing tanks for explosive fumes prior to loading kerosene and the sequence in which the tanks are loaded in order to eliminate hazards.” (USCG. SS Salem Maritime, 1956, p. 11.)

Sources

National Fire Protection Association. “Large Loss Fires of 1956.” Quarterly of the National Fire Protection Association, Vol. 50, No. 4, April 1957, pp. 330-331.

National Fire Protection Association. The 1984 Fire Almanac. Quincy, MA: NFPA, 1983.

United States Coast Guard. Commandant’s Action on Marine Board of Investigation; explosion and fire involving SS Salem Maritime and Tank Barges at Lake Charles, Louisiana, 17 January 1956, With Loss of Life. Washington, DC: USCG, July 16, 1956, 14 pages. Accessed at: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/docs/boards/salemmaritime.pdf
Accessed also, 3-30-2023 at: https://ncsp.tamu.edu/reports/USCG/salemmaritime.pdf