1975 — Jan 31, tanker Corinthos explosions/fire after hit by Queeny, Del. Riv., Marcus Hook PA-26

–29 Nat. Fire Protect. Assoc. “Multiple-Death Fires, 1975.” Fire Journal, 70/4, July 1976, p.29.
–29 National Fire Protection Association. The 1984 Fire Almanac. 1983, p. 240.*
–26 New York Times. “Coast Guard Cites 2 for ‘Negligence’ In Tanker Crash.” 2-22-1975, p.30.
–11 dead
–15 missing
–26 USCG. SS EDGAR M. QUEENY Collision…S/T CORINTHOS, Marcus Hook…, 1977, p.5.
— 4 dead (1 on Queeny and 3 on Corinthos)
–22 missing (20 from tanker Corinthos and 2 from tanker Queeny)

Blanchard note on fatalities: We have no explanation for the disparity between the NFPA estimate of 29 fatalities and USCG, NTSB, and NYT reporting of twenty-six deaths. Have looked at other sources not cited and find reporting of twenty-six fatalities as well.

Narrative Information

NFPA, July 1976: “Ship collision, Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania. Shortly after midnight on January 31, an American Chemical cargo ship, the Edgar M. Queeny, collided with the Corinthos, a Liberian tanker. The impact triggered a violent explosion and fire, which resulted in the deaths of 29 men.

“At the time of impact, the Corinthos was docked off-loading crude oil, with about [unclear] barrels of oil still in her tanks. The initial explosion was followed by several more large explosions that could be felt up to twenty miles away. The Queeny pulled back soon after, away from the Corinthos and, by activating its foam system, was able to extinguish the fire on board.

“The fire on the Corinthos spread rapidly, with explosions sending sections of deck plate hundreds of feet into the air. As explosions continued to occur, the fire spread through the dock area and on the surface of the Delaware River.

“Fifty-nine fire companies were called on to assist in fighting this fire, along with two dozen military and civilian marine companies. Although the Fire Department was able to brunt fire damage to the dock area, structures in the town of Marcus Hook suffered extensive property damage from the explosions. The explosions and threat of fire spread made it necessary to evacuate a section of the town.

“The fire was declared under control in three days, only after an outstanding coordinated effort by all of the agencies involved. This incident was the worst loss-of-life fire in 1975.”

NTSB. Action by the National Transportation Safety Board:

:This casualty was investigated by a U.S. Coast Guard Board of Investigation which convened at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 4, 1975. A representative of the National Transportation Safety Board observed part of the proceedings. The National Transportation Safety Board has considered only those facts in the investigation record which are pertinent to the Safety Board’s statutory responsibility to determine the cause or probable cause of the casualty and to make recommendations.

Synopsis

“At 0029, on January 31, 1975, the U.S. Registered tankship SS EDGAR M. QUEENY, laden with chemical and petroleum products, was maneuvering into Marcus Hook channel of the Delaware River in Pennsylvania, when it collided with the Liberian tanker S/T CORINTHOS which was moored and discharging a bulk cargo of crude oil at the British Petroleum Company dock. The port anchor of the QUEENY slightly penetrated the port side plating of the CORINTHOS at an angle of about 39 deg. into one or more of the wing cargo tanks, which were being pumped and were approximately half full. Almost immediately, a series of increasingly intense explosions began in the CORINTHOS, and the vessel was engulfed in flames. Twenty-six persons were killed or are missing and 11 were injured in this accident. The QUEENY suffered minor damage but the CORINTHOS was destroyed. The Delaware River was polluted by oil about Marcus Hook. Property damage was estimated to be $20 million.

“The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the casualty was the SS Edgar M. Queeny pilot’s failure to safely execute a turn into Marcus Hook channel. Contributing to the cause were the master’s delay in assuming control of the vessel for 4 minutes after he first doubted the probable success of the turn, and the pilot’s attention being divided between internship communications and conning.” [p.1.]

“Injuries to Persons

“The details of the data of the known dead, missing, and injured are contained in the Marine Board report and are summarized as follows:

Crew Passengers

Injuries Queeny Corinthos Queeny Corinthos Totals

Fatal 1 3 0 0 4
Nonfatal 6 5 0 0 11
Missing 0 20 0 2 22
None 30 19 0 0 49 [p. 5]

(USCG. SS EDGAR M. QUEENY Collision…S/T CORINTHOS, Marcus Hook…, 1977.)

Newspaper

Feb 22, NYT: “Philadelphia, Feb. 21 (UPI) – A United States Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation said today that it had found evidence of ‘negligence and‐or misconduct’ on the part of the captain and pilot of an American tanker involved in Jan. 31 crash that left 11 persons known dead and 15 missing. Capt. D. F. Hall, chairman of the board that investigated the crash between the chemical tanker, S.S. Edgar M. Queeny, and the Greek oil tanker, Corinthos, recommended further investigation of the incident. ‘The board has determined that the actions of Capt. Fay Kellogg, master of the S.S. Edgar M. Queeny, and Capt. Sverre Sorensen, pilot on board the Queeny, constitute evidence of negligence and‐or misconduct,’ Captain Hall said.

“A Coast Guard spokesman said that the Marine inspection office here would begin an investigation into the conduct of Captain Kellogg and Captain Sorensen prior to the crash. The spokesman said the two faced possible suspension and revocation of their licenses.

“The Coast Guard Board of Investigation adjourned its hearings Wednesday. The sessions began Feb. 4, five days after the Queeny rammed the Corinthos before dawn as she was docked in the Delaware River off Marcus Hook, Pa., to unload her cargo of oil.

“The Greek tanker was ripped, apart by a series of explosions and fires. The bodies of 11 persons have been recovered from the wreckage. Fifteen others are missing and presumed dead.” (New York Times. “Coast Guard Cites 2 for ‘Negligence’ In Tanker Crash.” 2-22-1975, p. 30.)

Sources

National Fire Protection Association. “Multiple-Death Fires, 1975.” Fire Journal, Vol. 70, No. 4, July 1976, pp. 27-29 and 51.

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

New York Times. “Coast Guard Cites 2 for ‘Negligence’ In Tanker Crash.” 2-22-1975, p. 30. Accessed 10-20-2021 at: https://www.nytimes.com/1975/02/22/archives/coast-guard-cites-2-for-negligence-in-tanker-crash.html

United States Coast Guard. Marine Casualty Report. SS Edgar M. Queeny – S/T Corinthos; Collision at Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania on 31 January 1975 with Loss of Life. U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation Report and Commandant’s Action. Action by National Transportation Safety Board. October 27, 1977 (Report No. USCG/NTSB Mar-77-2). Washington: DC, 63 pages. At: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/docs/boards/edgarmqueeny.pdf
Accessed again 10-20-20211 at: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/CG-5PC/INV/docs/boards/edgarmqueeny.pdf