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Port Chicago NM Tour Access and Closure Dates
August 1 - 18, 2012 - OPEN*** August 19 - September 5, 2012 - CLOSED*** September 6 - 15, 2012 - OPEN*** September 16 - December 19, 2012 - CLOSED*** December 20 - December 29 - OPEN ***
320 Americans Killed in WWII Naval Magazine Accident
On the evening of July 17, 1944, residents in the San Francisco east bay area were jolted awake by a massive explosion that cracked windows and lit up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were instantly killed when two ships being loaded with ammunition for the Pacific theatre troops blew up. This was WWII's worst homefront disaster.
Reservations are required to visit this site.
Features
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The 68th Annual Commemoration of Port Chicago
Please join us on Saturday July 21, 2012 for the 68th anniversary commemoration of The Port Chicago explosion in Concord, CA.
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Port Chicago Naval Magazine NM Reservations
Tours are only available on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 1:30 PM. Access for tours is granted based on U.S. Army and NPS scheduling availability.
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National Memorial and National Memory
On October 28, 2009, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial became the 392nd unit of the National Park Service.
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Naval Historical Center
For more information on the 1944 Port Chicago explosion, visit the on-line Naval Historical Center at www.history.navy.mil
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Did You Know?
After the Port Chicago explosion on July 17, 1944, where more than 5000 tons of TNT went off, the deepwater harbor and piers were completely destroyed. Surprisingly, the harbor and pier were back up and running in a month.