Describe the events of the explosion. Then, summarize how both the sailors and Navy officials responded differently. in the port chicago 50

The Explosion – It was 10:18 p.m. when Small heard a thunderclap-like boom coming from the pier. At first, the men thought they were under attack, but the initial boom was followed by an even louder single one. The sky lit up with explosions and the windows of the barracks were blasted out. Ringquist, who had just left the pier, turned around at once. Miles around the port, people saw the explosions, including a handful of sailors like Morris Rich who were on leave from their ships. They knew instantly that everyone on board was dead. Sikes and Alverta were seeing a movie when they heard the blast and learned about what has happened. Sikes brought Alverta home, then rushed back to base. Commander Kinne rushed out of the officers’ quarters to see what had happened. Fiery debris was falling down from the sky, threatening boxcars full of ammunition. Men and officers worked quickly and efficiently to put out fires. Percy was injured in the blast, and though wanting to help, was sent to the hospital to get sewn up. When Cyril Sheppard rushed toward the pier, he discovered it, and both ships, were gone.

The men discussed the cause of the explosions. Some believed it was an accident involving hot cargo, while others believed it was actually an enemy sneak attack, while still others believed it had to do with the boxcars. Congress took up a bill to compensate residents around Port Chicago, and families of the dead. Mississippi Congressman John Rankin, a racist pro-segregationist, argued that many of the families receiving compensation will be black, so the amount was lowered from $5,000 to $3,000. The Pittsburgh Courier blasted back at the racism, asking why the heroes of Port Chicago risked death. The paper argued that whites and blacks were the same, and the conscience of all America should be touched by the sacrifice of the men at Port Chicago.