1974 — Apr 9, oil tanker Elias explosions dockside pumping oil, Del. Riv., Fort Mifflin, PA-13

–13 USCG. Marine Casualty Report. M/V Elias: Explosion and Fire at Fort Mifflin… 1977, i.
–9 crew
–4 visitors (members of captain’s family)
–11 National Fire Protection Association. The 1984 Fire Almanac. 1983, p. 240.
— 9 Star News, Pasadena, CA. “9 Lost In Ship Explosion,” April 10, 1974, p. 4.

Narrative Information

NTSB Abstract: “At approximately 10 P.M. on 9 April 1974 while the M/V Elias was in the process of completing the discharge of a full cargo of Bachaquero crude oil at the Atlantic Richfield Oil (ARCO) Terminal, Fort Mifflin, Pennsylvania on the Delaware River the vessel sustained a series of three massive explosions, burned and sank. Nine members of the crew and four visitors (relatives of the master) perished or are missing. The M/V Elias was a total loss and the SS Edward L. Steiniger and the ARCO Terminal sustained extensive damages….

“The Commandant concurred with the Marine Board that source, and location of the initial explosion cannot be determined. Evidence of internal explosion in the after pump room, the cofferdam in the number 3 starboard cargo tanks, and in several of the cargo tanks indicate a varied path of the explosions.” [p. i.]

“….Surviving crew members on board escaped from the aft section of the vessel by climbing down mooring lines or by swimming ashore. Thirteen members of the crew and one person on shore were injured and required hospitalization from injuries sustained….” [p. 6]

“3. The following persons lost their lives as a result of the casualty.

Andreas Antoniadis Master
Desta Gebrhidhin A.B. [able seaman]
Matina Mentis Visitor
Joann Mentis Visitor
Georgeen Mentis Visitor
Nicholaos Andoniou Chief Mate
Konstantinos Spetsiotis 3rd Mate
Elefterios Stefas 2nd Mate

“The following persons are missing:

[Name blacked out] A.B. [able seaman]
“ Fireman
“ Fireman
“ Pumpman
“ Visitor….” [pp. 7-8]

“….The first detonation was one of major proportions and occurred suddenly and without forewarning to those onboard. The explosion which extended to both deck houses was so massive that the persons on the forward deck house were unable to take any evasive or protective action and perished in place. [p. 28]

Newspapers

April 10: “Philadelphia (UPI) – A Greek oil tanker described by witnesses as looking like a ‘twisted beer can,’ exploded dockside while unloading its cargo Tuesday night…The Elias was pumping off its cargo of Venezuelan crude oil at ARCO’s Fort Mifflin depot when the center section of the ship exploded shortly before 10 p.m. …. Some of the missing were feared still aboard the tanker which settled to the bottom of the Delaware River about one mile south of the Philadelphia Naval Yard….The Coast Guard said 14 members of the tanker’s 33-man crew were on shore leave at the time of the explosion.

“Philadelphia fire officials said the cause of the blast was still undetermined. Fire fighters, who brought the raging flames under control just before midnight, were still on the scene at daybreak hosing down the partially submerged tanker….

“The explosion rattled windows as far away as New Castle, Del., and threw an orange flow over the Philadelphia and southern New Jersey shorelines….” (Simpson’s Leader-Times (Kittanning, PA), April 10, 1974, p. 1)

April 10: “Philadelphia (AP) Coast Guard rescue workers using two 40-foot ships and a helicopter searched the Delaware River today for eight persons missing in the aftermath of a tanker explosion that spread flaming oil over the river. The missing included a woman and her two children.

“One person was killed and 26 injured, three critically, in the Tuesday night explosions and fires. Five seamen were missing in addition to the woman and children who were visiting the ship when the blasts occurred. Among those treated for injuries were seamen who leaped from the burning ship, the Greek tanker Elias, into the icy river waters.

“The first explosion sent a ball of flames into the rain and snow-filled sky. It occurred as the tanker was unloading a cargo of crude oil at the Atlantic Richfield Co. terminal in south Philadelphia. Officials said the Elias was due to sail this morning, having delivered 250,000 barrels of oil on Tuesday.

“The blast ripped away 100 feet of the steel and concrete pier where the 650-foot vessel was berthed and damaged the two-story terminal building.” (Star News (Pasadena, CA). “9 Lost In Ship Explosion,” April 10, 1974, p. 4.)

Sources

National Fire Protection Association. The 1984 Fire Almanac. Quincy, MA: NFPA, 1983.

Simpson’s Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA. “Oil Tanker Explodes at Dockside in Philadelphia Killing Worker,” 4-10-1974, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=96295184

Star News, Pasadena, CA. “9 Lost In Ship Explosion,” 4-10-1974, p. 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=48749229&firstvisit=true&src=search&currentResult=15

United States Coast Guard, Marine Board of Investigation. Marine Casualty Report. M/V Elias; Explosion and Fire at Fort Mifflin, Pennsylvania on 9 April 1974 with Loss of Life (Report No. USCG 16732/51363). Washington, DC: Commandant, USCG, September 9, 1977, 45 pages. Accessed 12-19-2021 at: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/CG-5PC/INV/docs/boards/elias.pdf