The SS Charles Henderson was a Liberty ship constructed during World War II. It was destroyed in an ammunition explosion on April 9, 1945.
Namesake
One source states that the vessel was named after Charles Richmond Henderson (1848–1915), a Baptist clergyman and sociologist.[2] Another source claims that it was named in honour of Charles Henderson, the Governor of Alabama.[3]
On 21 January 1944, the Charles Henderson collided with the coastal tanker MV Plattsburgh Socony near Cape Henlopen, Delaware. The collision resulted in a fire on the tanker.[5] "Fourth Naval District officers said one of the ships burst into flames after the collision and was abandoned an hour later."[6] One seaman was reported missing, and four others suffered burns. "A navy picket boat drew alongside the burning tanker – and 'stayed despite the danger of the ship exploding at any moment' – to rescue four crewmen marooned on the bow. Other survivors escaped in a lifeboat."[7]
The ship sailed from New York City on 25 February 1945, bound for Norfolk, Virginia. There it loaded 6,675 tons of aircraft bombs in its holds. With loading complete, it steamed for Bari, Italy on 9 March, but returned the same day to repair its condenser's main induction valve. The ship waited five days for the next Mediterranean-bound convoy, UGS-80. Upon arriving at Gibraltar, the Charles Henderson proceeded independently to Bari, via Augusta, Sicily, arriving 5 April.[9]
Fate
In one of the largest ammunition disasters of World War II, the Charles Henderson was being unloaded at berth 14 at Bari, in Southern Italy, on 9 April 1945, when she was destroyed in a high order explosion.[10] "This detonation caused by [handling] 500 pound [230 kg] bombs loaded with Composition B, killed 542 and injured 1,800. It is believed the bombs were hooked and dragged to the well, then lifted without mats. The crew may have hurried because the contract paid by number of items lifted. Buildings along the waterfront were destroyed for 2,000 feet [610 m]. Ships were severely damaged to 2,100 feet [640 m]."[11]
9 April 1945 – Photo by WOJG Hubert Platt Henderson who was stationed at Bari as the Director of the 773rd Band
Thirty-nine crew and 13 Armed Guard were killed in the explosion.[10] The only survivor was the chief engineer, who was ashore at the time of the blast. The wreck remained in Bari until 1948, when it was sold for scrap.[9]
^United Press, "Ships Collide Off East Coast; Fiery Sea of Oil Seen", The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Saturday 22 January 1944, Volume 50, page 2.
^Associated Press, "Navy Saves Four Men on Burning Tanker", The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Washington, Sunday 23 January 1944, Volume 61, Number 254, page 2.
