The deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history, killing at least 581 people and triggering the first class action lawsuit under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
Key Facts
- Death toll
- At least 581 killed
- Ammonium nitrate cargo
- 2,300 short tons aboard SS Grandcamp short tons
- Plaintiffs in lawsuit
- 8,485 plaintiffs in first U.S. class action
- Fire department losses
- All but one member of volunteer fire dept killed
- Legal basis
- First lawsuit under 1946 Federal Tort Claims Act
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
A fire broke out mid-morning on April 16, 1947, aboard the French-registered cargo vessel Grandcamp, docked at the port of Texas City. The ship was loaded with approximately 2,300 short tons of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive fertilizer, which ignited as the fire spread and could not be contained.
The burning ammonium nitrate aboard Grandcamp detonated in a massive explosion, one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in history. The blast set off a chain reaction of fires and secondary explosions across other docked ships and nearby oil-storage facilities, devastating the port and surrounding areas and killing at least 581 people.
The disaster prompted the first class action lawsuit filed against the United States government, representing 8,485 plaintiffs under the newly enacted 1946 Federal Tort Claims Act. It remained the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history and led to sweeping changes in the regulation and handling of ammonium nitrate in American ports.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 581 (other)