SS Sansinena facts for kids
Bow section SS Sansinena lies partially submerged at Berth 46 after it exploded while refueling
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Barracuda Tankers |
| Port of registry | Monrovia |
| Launched | 7 August 1958 |
| Identification | IMO number: 5311650 |
| Fate | Destroyed by explosion 17 December 1976 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Oil tanker |
| Tonnage | 60,000 DWT |
| Length | 810 ft (250 m) |
| Beam | 104 ft (32 m) |
| Draft | 42 ft (13 m) |
| Capacity | 460,000 bbl (73,000 m3) |
The SS Sansinena was a large oil tanker from Liberia. On Friday, December 17, 1976, at 7:33 PM, a huge explosion rocked the ship. This happened while it was docked at Berth 46 in the Port of Los Angeles. This port is located in San Pedro, California.
Contents
What Happened to the Sansinena?
The Sansinena was a steamship built in 1958. It was designed to carry large amounts of crude oil. On the day of the explosion, the ship had finished unloading its oil cargo. It was then taking on ballast water and fuel. Ballast water helps keep a ship stable when it's not carrying cargo.
The Massive Explosion
While the ship was taking on ballast and fuel, a huge explosion suddenly tore it apart. The blast was so powerful it split the ship in half. It also completely destroyed several buildings on the dock. Windows in homes and businesses miles away were shattered. The force of the explosion even threw the ship's entire midship bridge onto the wharf.
Fires and Rescue Efforts
The explosion immediately started a large fire. This fire quickly spread across the dock and around the tanker. The Los Angeles Fire Department rushed to the scene. Their main goals were to control the blaze and rescue anyone who was hurt. One part of the fire, fueled by underground fuel lines, burned for four days.
Why Did the Explosion Happen?
The United States Coast Guard investigated the incident. They wanted to find out what caused such a terrible explosion.
The Cause of the Blast
Their investigation found that the explosion was caused by flammable gas. These gases, called hydrocarbon vapors, built up on the ship's deck. This happened because the ship's venting system was not designed well. It was also old and worn out. Another problem was an unsafe practice: all the ship's vents were left open during the ballasting process. This allowed the dangerous vapors to escape and collect.
Unidentified Ignition Source
Even after a thorough investigation, the exact spark or flame that set off the explosion was never found.
Impact of the Explosion
The explosion of the Sansinena was a serious event. It caused many injuries and deaths.
Casualties and Injuries
The official count of people affected was:
- 9 people died. This included eight crew members from the ship and one security guard on the dock.
- 46 people were injured. Nine of these people needed to be hospitalized for their injuries.
Featured on Television
The Sansinena explosion and its technical details were featured on TV. It was the first part of an episode of the History Channel's "Modern Marvels" series. The episode was called "Engineering Disasters of the 1970s."
Images for kids
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Bow section SS Sansinena lies partially submerged at Berth 46 after it exploded while refueling
