The Day New York City was Almost Destroyed: The 1943 Fire Aboard SS Elestero
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- Опубліковано 23 тра 2023
- On April 24, 1943 a fire started in the engine room of the Panamanian freighter SS El Estero. Fire can always represent a danger to a ship, but this fire offered particular concern. The El Estro was carrying more than thirteen hundred tons of high explosives, and was in New York Harbor.
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Script by THG
#history #thehistoryguy #wwii
The History Guy team is planning a trip for 2024 and you could come along! We need your help deciding where to go - fill out our survey. It will help us curate an exciting trip that appeals to YOU.
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I just want to take this little space to remind everyone that the French Navy won the Revolutionary war with their victory at Yorktown. There THG, I fixed your textbooks.
@@TheDeepening718 ua-cam.com/video/uXDGzmOkC5g/v-deo.html
I am house bound. Wherever you go, please record it.
I would go but I am there half the time anyway. Vicksburg MS. The fall of Vicksburg in 1863 is a really interesting story. I never learned that US Grant got his butt kicked at Vicksburg, before he ultimately won using medieval siege tactics. Just wasn't taught in school. The fact Vicksburg did not participate in July 4th events for 113 years is a fascinating slice of Americana. Grants canal and the whole saga is a huge piece of history I never knew till I was there.
Your list of places includes "Washington (U.S.)". The state, or DC?
I hope you can ask again in a few years when I can more afford travel.
Fun fact: the fireboat John J. Harvey, which assisted in the El Estero fire, was retired in 1999 and converted into a sailing museum ship. But she was so well-maintained that she was called into action one last time, on September 11 2001, dousing flames from the World Trade Center collapse.
Interesting
Why haven't I ever heard about this... I don't know most of these WW2 stories
After years of enjoying every episode of THG, I finally figured something out this morning. The way Lance seamlessly credits all his sources is remarkable. His style is truly refreshing, and many content presenters could learn a lot by his example.
Yes, you're 100% right. Plus, he reminds me of college professors I had, History, Physics, whatever. He's got that vibe. Wonder what he does in real life?
@@guytansbariva2295 this is what he now does in rl. As I recall he did teach history at one time but I believe his job before HG was insurance sales.
Well said!
I did teach at the university level for a decade, but I taught communication, not history. Yes, being the History Guy is my job now.
@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Lance, Communications is what you're GREAT at doing, so I say well played Sir! Much love from NC!
Wow! Can you imagine what it was like to be firefighter there? Knowing they were loading explosives (and live ordnance, even large bombs) onto the ships. If there was a fire, you'd be fighting a fire that threatened to blow you and everyone around you to pieces at any moment. Bravery isn't being fearless. True bravery is being terrified, being AWARE of the danger, yet doing your job anyway.
This happened to just about all the members of the Texas City fire department when on April 16, 1947, the French freighter S.S. Grandcamp exploded after its cargo of ammonium nitrate caught fire. The fires and explosions that followed would ultimately kill nearly 600 people.
true bravery is being too stoopit to GTFO
As is said of firemen, they run into buildings that people run out of.
Amen, brother. And until it happens, you don't know what you're going to do. I found out in an apartment fire at 340 Eddy in San Francisco in 1979. Bless you, Hammer and Cherry!
I hope that you don't mind, but I wanted to send you a note of Thanks.
Last month something happened in my family that it would not be hyperbole to refer to as a tragedy. The events dominated my thoughts, and I went looking for something to clear my mind, until at last I found your channel. The episode on dandelions (my favorite flowers) first attracted me, then I subscribed and began watching through your food-related playlist; then I went on to all of your other videos… and now every time I see a new one appear on my feed, I smile.
You tell these histories in such an engaging way that it is not necessary to even really watch the visuals, and so throughout the day I listen to you speak about this and that as I take care of my daily chores. I prefer the lighter episodes, of course, but even the ones that delve into our more tragic past have given me some peace of mind - "In times like these, it is helpful to remember that there have always been times like these," as Paul Harvey said.
Ultimately, though, regardless of the subject matter your calm voice and wry humor draw me in, give me something to think about other than what has recently happened (and what may happen from here on out)... and I will forever be grateful to you for that.
I just wanted to let you know.
Thank you!
The fire boat John J Harvey has its own history that deserves to be remembered.
It does, and still can be visited today.
Absolutely, in addition to the El Estero, she helped put out the fire of the great liner Normandie in February, 1942, and of course her actions on 911 are never to be forgotten.
Building a munitions terminal right on the doorstep of New York City? What could possibly go wrong? It's as if they learned nothing from the 1917 Halifax explosion where a munitions ship exploded and leveled a sizeable portion of the city.
Sure they learned from Halifax. They learned to keep the munitions terminal secret.
@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Yeah, they probably chose the wrong lesson to commit to memory.
Do you know of any other ports not in a city that would serve the need of ammunition ships? It would appear that many lessons where learned and acted apon considering the swift and well coordinated response.
@@dirus3142Yes, the Indian Island Naval Munitions Depot in Puget Sound, Washington.
@@dirus3142 As I noted elsewhere: Naval Weapon Center Earle is located at the Sandy Hook (NJ) area of New York Harbor. It was built (extremely rapidly) in 1943 because of this fire! It is basically in 3 sections: the Piers (Waterfront) by Leonardo, NJ; the main storage area where anything not being loaded (or unloaded) is kept, well away from basically anything; and a rail line & road connecting the first two with a few things that aren't explosive in nature in various buildings.
the SS Elestero incident sounds like a near repeat of the Port Chicago disaster or the explosion aboard SS Mount Hood
I am a US Navy veteran and I can attest that the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard 7:40 have the world's best firefighters. If your ship catches fire you PUT IT OUT or you ALL DIE by fire, drowning or shark food. It is the ultimate incentive to be the best on earth.
Thank you Sir, for sharing this incredible story. ❤⚓❤
I don't remember much from my time in naval aviation, but I sure as shit remember how to put out nearly every kind of fire imaginable, hooyah.
@@attemptedunkindness3632 EXACTLY 💯
@@attemptedunkindness3632
Alpha- leaves an ash (humans become screaming alphas)
Bravo - oil, gas, etc.
Charley - electrical
@@adequatemagic You forgot Delta: That whole-ass aircraft is on fire, that's a magnesium fire my brother in Christ amongst copper beryllium and a bunch of other bad metals. Fuck the Purple K, push that sumbitch into the sea.
The fire on the USS Bon Homme Richard about a year ago was an unmitigated disaster. They tried to pin it on a lowly seaman, but court found him not guilty. The inexcusable (I don't know the right naval terms) bad management of the chain of command has never been disciplined. So much for the "world's best".
It's a shame that the response and outcomes in New York didn't happen in 1947 in Texas City, Texas where the worst did happen. (And your video on that disaster I consider one of your best 👌)
I think it would be safe to say that the powers that be in New York were far more aware of the danger at hand and had put in place the maximum resources possible to meet this kind of threat. Texas City may very well have had a disaster plan in place, but may not have had similar resources to draw on, or the dedication to training the fire fighters in New York displayed. The expectation of disaster around munitions would be higher than those expectation around fertilizer and petrochemicals.
@ the time, I believe the Fire Department @ Texas City was a Volunteer force. The chemical & oil refineries usually had their own Fire Departments in-house. The in-house department’s were phased out over time as a cost cutting method & the Texas City Fire Department eventually turned to full time.
I have to wonder, if some of this was the inspiration for the TUGS episode "Munitions"
A great example of how well considered emergency protocols and training can mitigate disaster.
This is why Naval Weapon Center Earle was built (extremely rapidly) in 1943!!! The piers are near Leonardo, NJ and the main storage is several miles back. This is to limit any chance of a major explosion affecting NYC and the large cities in NJ just across from NYC....
Now they have Sunny Point, on the Cape Fear River just south of Wilmington, NC. The aerial views on Google Earth are impressive.
All the coasties (and others) who ran towards that fire deserve significant awards. Kudos to the FDNY for recognizing the bravery of their fireboat crews.
Anyone with a brain realizes how incredibly dangerous this situation was. To volunteer to fight this blaze, when you could be blown to pieces at any moment, is an act of incredible bravery.
You sir should be on the history channel, you could teach them how history is supposed to be presented for you are 1 of the best at presenting history, you make history fun and interesting for all, thank you for the time you take preparing these wonderful videos, God bless you and your family!!!!
Lance has been on there a few times recently so there's still hope!
The History ch is a good start, but HG should be the Secretary of Education.
The history Channel lost my interest years ago when it went mainstream. Gone are the days on old ww2 docs, modern marvels and the like
THG is great right where he's at. But by all means, send this man around the world and give him a camera crew and a half hour on each topic. I can hardly think of anyone more deserving
History Channel doesn’t deserve him.
Any channel calling itself “History” while pushing racist “Ancient Aliens“ nonsense, has lost my respect and has lost the right to be called “History.”
Good morning from stormy Ft Worth TX to everyone watching... While I was stationed on USS Wasp LHD 1, went to the Naval Weapons Station Earle NJ twice to onload and offload munitions prior to and after deployment. 2001, prior to 9/11 attacks and 2002 before entering Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Saw the World Trade Center towers in 2001 and the vacant skyline in 2002.
William Sanders Good morning from small town Manitoba, 1200 miles straight north of your position. It's cloudy and cool at 52°F on this fine May morning.
I was 11 when that happened, and if you look at the map in 2:23 mark of the video I lived about 10 miles north of New Brunswick.
They brought the entire elementary school into the gym, asked anyone with parents who worked in New York to come to a separate room and told the rest of us to go back to class. I remember passing a television and saw the towers burning with teachers planted around it sobbing. There's a point in the town I grew up in (Martinsville, NJ called white rock (or Washington rock) where legend has you can see new york on a clear night. We rode our bikes up there after school and could see the smoke. Was really incredible looking back
I grew up in Bayonne during the '90's and never heard this story. Thanks THG!
My mom grew up in Bayonne. Grandmother built PT boats at Elco in Bayonne. I’ve never heard of this either. Crazy.
Wow this is incredible & definitely worthy of history to be remembered. I can not imagine what today would be like without those who made history that day without mass tragedy.
In WW1, a munitions plant blew up in Morgan NJ. Thats pretty much what it would have looked like, only with millions of people living near by.
> The initial explosion, generally believed to be accidental, triggered a fire and subsequent series of explosions that continued for three days, totaling approximately six kilotons, killing about 100 people and injuring hundreds more. The facility, one of the largest in the world at the time, was destroyed along with more than 300 surrounding buildings, forcing the evacuation and reconstruction of Sayreville, South Amboy, and Laurence Harbor (Old Bridge). Over a century later, explosive debris continues to surface regularly across a 1.2-mile (1.9 km) radius
Great Presentation!! I am always awestruck by the absolute courage of those who respond, without hesitation, when called.
2:23 seeing that map, having grown up right between Morristown and New Brunswick is crazy. It's always so much cooler when THG brings things close to home
Thanks for still grinding out amazing content, year after year
Okay kids, quiet down and take your seats. Class is about to begin! Good morning from Connecticut!
Im from beacon falls CT Sir 0:42
@@jamesfracasse8178 Nice to make your acquaintance! Are you a History Guy regular?
I've never learned about this until now, thank you!
Ships and explosive materials sitting in a dock. Mix about as well as oil and water. That combination can be quite explosive.
Dangit, I was so focused on the story, I forgot to pick apart what’s on your shelf!
USS TWIGGS- The Ship History Forgot
This is good to know. Your videos are historical with levity, and that is a rare talent. The Lebanon explosion showed how dangerous it is to store explosive material in an urban area, as did the Henderson NV explosion which was in a suburban office park, but still close enough to homes nearby to shatter windows and break garage doors.
I lived near three large fires that were large enough to drop embers and damage homes in our community--but we always seemed to live in neighborhoods where firefighters and police officers lived in, and they were quick to help us stay safe if we could not evacuate.
In 1981 the Napa Valley had a terrible fire and the smoke column which rose looked like a volcanic eruption. We lived four miles from the fire, close enough that embers came down, but the first responders I mentioned were already helping us hose down our roofs. It was a precaution, but the winds prevailed and blew the fire away from the city.
Everyone was heroic I felt, with the city of Napa having about 63,000 souls then, hotels took in those who lost their homes, and to keep people out of the area, people drove to police the portals into the valley, because the fire drew what we called thousands of 'firebugs' who just wanted to see what was going on.
napahistory.org/atlas-peak-fire/🌺🌻🌼☘🍀🍁
The incredible courage mankind is capable of sometimes never ceases to amaze me. So many men, so much courage. Really glad they turned the situation around and there was no explosion.
Normandie was interesting🚢🔥
Your topics are always interesting but this story is literally an edge-of-your seat thriller
I love history too. How I didn't know about this, escapes me. Thank you, Lance, for narrating and posting this fascinating story of a disaster that almost happened....
Could you do a video on the history of vehicle license plate ? Were they a thing on carriage before cars ?
The Coast Guard has an unofficial motto based on a comment by a grizzled veteran of the old Lifesaving Service in the 19th Century, "You has to go out, but you don't has to come back."
This episode is one of your best.
Thank you for sharing your mastered talent of storytelling.
And there's another story I was never aware of. If that had gone pop that day, I would never have been born.
Reminds me of the SS Malakand which exploded when discharging munitions in the port of Liverpool, England during the May Blitz of 1941. Parts of the ship landed more than 2 miles away and part of the remains of the ship are still under Huskisson Dock Number 2 which was filled in after the explosion.
Any info on how much weight of munitions was onboard at the time and/or on the adjacent dock? Fortunate that only four people were killed.
I would like very much to see a THG episode focusing on the munitions explosion at Port Chicago on the West Coast during WW2. Thank you for your great videos!
While smart people are running away from danger, you can't have anything but respect for those who run towards it!👍💪
The History Guy sure knows how to tell a story! And it occurs to me that two of my favorite professors from my college days were both history teachers, and both of them were masters of telling a tale. This is what keeps history alive...
Was any action taken against the bureaucrats who authorized the Elestero to load such a dangerous cargo?
Incredible story! The men who battled that fire and kept that ship from exploding had balls the size of Jupiter. Heroes, all of them.
It's a wonder the ship didn't just sink when they stepped on, balls that big
It was such a pleasant surprise to hear you use the website of the Fire Fighter as a main source! I was very privileged to spend the beginning of the covid era volunteering aboard her. We're presently trying to return her to the configuration she was in just after the war, and we need all the help we can get! Unlike many of these maritime stories, two of the main hero ships remain afloat and under way, so if keeping the Harvey or the Fighter afloat sounds like an idea, please pop over to either of our sites!
Any stats on how many ammo ships were lost on the trip over during the war?
did you ever do a story about the black tom explosion?
ua-cam.com/video/SlzjfxqosFA/v-deo.html
Thanks for another great history piece. On the subject of explosions, are you aware of the massive explosion at RAF Fauld in 1944 or the potentially huge disaster that took place in Soham UK, in the same year. Definitely worth a look.
Was one of those the underground munitions factory that exploded, leaving a large pit in the ground visible to this day? I think I watched a video about it somewhere, but can't recall where.
@@dugroz yup, that was RAF Fauld, huge crater is still visible.
@@dugroz It was a gypsum mine with extensive underground tunnels which were stuffed with ammunition, mostly I believe bombs. This from Wikipedia, "Between 3,500 and 4,000 tonnes (3,900 and 4,400 tons) of ordnance exploded, mostly high explosives. The explosion crater has a depth of 100 feet (30 m) and a maximum width of 1007 feet (307 m) although different sources have exaggerated this size. The crater is still visible just south of Fauld, to the east of Hanbury, Staffordshire. It is now known as the Hanbury Crater." More info there if you are interested, re casualties, possible causes etc.
Unlike For Fresh Cement BAGS if preferred instead..
Wow...this could of lost the ETO if the Worst scenario had exploded off NYC
Some years later, in 1956, I "witnessed" the explosion at the Brooklyn Bush Terminal at Sunset Park. I was nearby with my Grandmother, who was pushing a baby carriage with my sister in it, when the explosion occurred. I was just a little kid, but I believe we were several blocks inland, near our brownstone, and there was a brick building between us and the explosion. I remember the detonation, and broken glass.
Nothing like a potential Elestero explosion, but it actually happened.
I'm surprised that, in 1943, there was no good way to fight a fire of this type.
Oil floats on water. So the fire in the ship's bilges would not be extinguished by pumping in more water. The burning oil simply floats on top. Would foam extinguish the fire by starving it of oxygen? And if so, why weren't the bilges of such ships fitted with foam delivery to immediately extinguish such a fire BEFORE it got out of control.
Did they even HAVE foam, then?
You should look into the sinking of the SS Richard Montgomery, a liberty ship carrying a load of over 6000 tons of munitions that sank in the Thames estuary. The ship is still there, just of the main shipping lanes, as is over 1400 tons of the cargo which is rusting away in the hold along with the wreck itself. This is claimed to be the most dangerous wreck in the world.
He _has_ ! "The Wreck of the S.S. Richard Montgomery": ua-cam.com/video/wP1kq9H7TYg/v-deo.html
Heroic Coastguardsmen and Firemen, indeed.
The Russian sailors who helped put out the 1863 Fire in San Fransisco would be really cool to see.
During the American Civil War Russia sent their Navy to San Francisco and New York when England and France were just about to enter the war on the side of the Confederates since London created the Confederates. France was already in Mexico making a spear head movement to resupply the Confederates and to open up a Pacific Theatre and create a port in California. England already amassed 11,000 troops stationed at their Northern Confederacies border now called Canada ready to open a Northern Theatre then to attack The Unions naval blockade. The Union would have been completely destroyed and annexed by those two great powers leaving the Confederates to exist as a puppet state of London.
Tsar Alexander wrote a letter to Queen Victoria saying “If you enter in this war it will be a casus belli for all out war with the Russian Empire”. The stage was set for the 1st World War and Russia stopped it.
There is also a memorial in San Francisco for the hundreds of Russian sailors who came off their Russian Asiatic fleet ships to help the city put
out a fire that threatened to lay waste to it.
Absolutely fascinating. Definitely "not to be forgotten" history. Thank you!
it's a great story, and a frightening one, thank you for sharing it THG
I love history and your channel! I am so glad I found your channel. Thank you for the history lesson!
Another great episode. If a film is made of this, I hope they hire you as a consultant
The facility became the Cape Liberty cruise port in Bayonne. All the buildings and infrastructure are still there - you drive right past them when you're going to the cruise terminal.
Craven Point is, just a little bit north of the cruise ship pier. The buildings you mention are of the former Military Ocean Terminal (MOT).
Great post! I'm a retired firefighter and have always had a keen interest in man made disasters and the firefighting efforts involved in them. I'm familiar with Halifax, Bombay, Port Chicago, the Mt. Hood, West Loch at Pearl Harbor and of course Texas City, but this was new to me. Thank you!
That’s wild the two hours after they sunk the ship, the fire went out
Thank you for your hard work.
So well told. Thank you!
Always great content.
Extraordinary story! Thank you to the History Guy crew for the excellent presentation.
I appreciate you, thank you for making content.
interesting insights, illustrations into NY history
When I was a kid I heard about the Texas City and Port Chicago disasters. I am pretty sure I read about the Black Tom disaster on The History Guy, but I don't remember where I read about the SS Richard Montgomery, sunk in the Thames [UK] estuary with an estimated 1,500 tons of high explosives still on board.
One can just imagine the result if a U- boat had snuck in and shelled the depot.
Would have been the greatest coup of the Kreigsmarine.
@@JG-tt4sz Right up there with a raid into Scapa Flow.
@@kleinjahr Scapa Flow would look like child's play.
You're the best. Thank you!
A lot of the most IMPORTANT events were the ones PREVENTED. They just don't (sadly) get the "glamor".
Bravery at its best
THG you rock! Peace
People forget how many munitions plants were built for WWII. In little towns all over, any place that had railroad access.
Thanks Great Story 👍👍👍
This was an exciting commentary!
When I was stationed at the shipping port of Dammam in Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War, we, as members of the US Army's Transportation Corp, off-loaded thousands of tons of ammunition of all kinds there. I remember leaving one of the ammo ships one night at the end of a 12 hour shift, when the Iraqis began firing Scud Missiles at the port. The US Patriot Missile Battery's opened up to intercept them, which they did, in mid air right over top the port. The explosions lit up the night skies like the Forth of July, and we were silently praying that none of the flaming metal debris came down on us because there was well over 100,000 tons of ammo already stored on the port, as well as six other fully loaded ammo ships tied up at the dock. The attack lasted for over an hour, and we really did luck out that night because the chain reaction that would have occurred would have resulted in one of the largest ammo explosions ever seen. We thanked our lucky stars to see the sun rise the following day.
Just great! Fascinating!
Lol, I love that UA-cam played an add about fire, and your channel starts with a fireball. Heheh, talk about keeping in theme. Great vid, by the way - very interesting :)
A fine video, sir.
Cold courage indeed! What bravery!!
Firefighters are a different breed indeed. God bless them all.
Great video
Back in the Saddle Again Naturally
Hmmmm..... I got a feeling this was the inspiration for the episode Munitions from TUGS
History Guy!!! Can you do a video on the Iroquois Theatre Fire? Thanks!
Imagine the explosion that will occur if the SS Montgomery blows up.
I try to know as much as mentally possible about my city, but this is one of the most epic stories I have heard about it in a long time. This is especially eerie because I can see the Statue of Liberty from my home.
Thank for sharing this epic story. I wish I could’ve met those involved.
I've enjoyed your content from the beginning sir thank you for all you do. Knowledge is useless we don't share it and thank you for sharing
Every Boy Scout, every Cub Scout, is taught you don't fight an oil fire with water. You need foam like they have at airports. But water is still pored onto ship fires.
Thanks!
Thank you!
NY harbor dodged an incredibly destructive bullet ❤
If we Americans only knew what is being handled, stored, and moved through our towns and communities every day we wouldn’t sleep very well at night.
See also East Palestine, Ohio.
I used to live near the 5 mile "flattened" one. However that was way before my time.
Spare a thought for those who served on board these ships. Evisceration was always only a torpedo away.
As retired Coast Guard this brought immense pride. "Other" branches make fun of us constantly. This "episode" showed what is NORMAL for Coasties.
👍
As a firefighter of 20 years I admire and understand the selfless actions of all involved. You may get injured if you act, if you don't act many will get injured or worse. You act for the sake of others.
good video
Too bad Lebanon never heard of this story. Would have learned a lot fro it.
Great remembrance! Glad I wasn't there for the battle to save NY... (a side) I have a cousin named Lance I wonder what the history of the name Lance is? 😀 Thanks for your hard work...
As formerly one of the US Army Transportation Corps cargo handlers - this was interesting.
I spent most of 1968 working in the port area of the munitions port in Sattahip, Thailand.
Many fully ladened WW2 era Victory Ships called at the port in an effort to keep all of the Air Force bases supplied. The B-52 base was about 35km from the port.
An interesting footnote in history