V Berean collide, Houston Ship Channel, TX– 12

lornajarrettblanchard November 7, 1961

–12 USCG. Commandant’s Action…collision…UNION RELIANCE…BEREAN…, 1963, p. 1.
–12 US District Court, S.D. TX, Houston Div. “Matter of China Union Lines, Ltd.” 7-17-1963.

Narrative Information

USCG: “….2. The M/V Berean, a Norwegian tank vessel of 9003 gross tons, loaded with various oils and chemicals, including a cargo of acrylonitrile contained in Number 1 tank across, arrived off Galveston Bar, Texas, on the evening of 7 November 1961. At 2115, upon receiving a pilot on board, the vessel, with a draft of approximately 19 feet forward and 25 feet aft, proceeded up the Houston Ship Channel at an approximate speed of 14 knots, reducing speed as necessary when meeting or passing other vessels. On reaching the vicinity of Morgan Point, an outbound vessel was observed ahead. As the Berean approached Beacons 71 and 72 the outbound vessel, later identified as the Union Reliance, was observed entering the bend at ‘Five Mile Cut’ near Beacon 75. The Berean, then on the inbound channel range at full speed, reduced speed to half ahead and then slow ahead. The outbound Union Reliance was observed to negotiate the slight turn in the channel at Beacon 75 while close aboard the starboard or West side of the channel. At this point, with the two vessels approximately 1 mile apart, the pilot of the Berean ordered one blast of the whistle for a port to port passing. Immediately thereafter the Union Reliance was observed to sheer cross channel and the Berean’s pilot heard the vessel sound three blasts and drop her anchor. The Berean’s pilot immediately ordered right rudder, full astern, three blasts on the whistle and the mate on the bridge was instructed to proceed forward and drop the anchors. At this moment the master of the Berean appeared on the bridge and, observing the situation, jingled the engine room telegraph for emergency full astern and, upon instructions from the pilot, sounded the danger signal on the ship’s whistle.

“Approximately 2 minutes following the full astern bell, the Berean was felt to ground gently on the east channel bank. Immediately following the grounding the bow of the Union Reliance made contact with the port bow of the Berean at an angle of approximately 50 to 60 degrees between centerlines. After raking the Berean’s side, the bow of the Union Reliance penetrated the Berean at Number 1 cargo tank just aft of the break in the forecastle. The area of penetration was immediately engulfed in flames which spread rapidly throughout the length of the Union Reliance.

“3. The Union Reliance (ex-Mormacland), a Chinese freighter of 7638 gross tons laden with general cargo including a forward deck cargo of approximately 200 drums of citronella departed Long Reach Dock, Houston, Texas, at 1830 on 7 November 1961, with a Houston Ship Channel Pilot on board, bound for New Orleans, Louisiana. Approximately 2 hours following departure, while in the vicinity of Adams Terminal, the vessel experienced a steering casualty which necessitated anchoring to effect repairs. Upon discovering than one brush holder in the starboard steering engine motor was grounded, control was shifted to the port steering motor and, after several tests of the steering mechanism, the trip down channel was resumed. Speed was set at full ahead (maneuvering speed) which is estimated to have been approximately 9 knots. Upon approaching the slight bend in the channel in the vicinity of Beacon 75 the pilot ordered port rudder followed by ‘ease to 10 degrees port’ and then amidships. When the rudder angle indicator reached 5 degrees port the helmsman reported that the wheel was jammed and would not move in either direction. Upon shifting to gyro-electric it was found that, although the gyro-electric steering wheel would turn, the rudder would not respond. The main engines were immediately put to slow ahead, stop and then full astern and the danger signal was sounded on the ship’s whistle. As the engines commenced astern motion the pilot ordered the starboard anchor dropped and approximately 2 minutes thereafter ordered the port anchor dropped with instructions to hold both anchors. The Chief Engineer, in company with the Second Assistant, proceeded to the steering flats moments before impact, but failed to observe any malfunctioning.

“4. The Union Reliance continued to sheer cross channel to port with both anchors down and, at 2315, her bow made contact with the port side of the Berean penetrating the Berean’s Number 1 cargo hold to a depth of approximately 10 feet. The acrylonitrile cargo in the Berean’s Number 1 tank sprayed over the forward half of the Union Reliance and the resultant flames rapidly engulfed the forward portion of the vessel up to and including the deckhouse area. The intensity of the fire and smoke caused the crewmembers to flee to the after living quarters and also forced evacuation of the engine room. The fire continued to spread to the after portion of the vessel prohibiting the launching of all but the after starboard lifeboat.

“5. As the result of this casualty twelve persons aboard the Union Reliance including the pilot lost their lives and two others suffered burn injuries. There were no personnel injuries nor lives lost aboard the Berean although the vessel sustained extensive hull damage. The Union Reliance, in addition to damage resulting from impact, suffered extensive hull damage as the result of the fire which continued to burn for about three days following the collision. Due to the intensity of the fire in the area of the pilot house, the steering mechanism within that portion of the vessel was completely destroyed. Later examination revealed no malfunctioning of the steering components in the after steering engine room.
Remarks

“1. Concurring with the Board, it is considered that this casualty was caused by a steering gear failure aboard the Union Reliance, confined to that portion of the steering mechanism which was destroyed by fire….” (pp. 1-3)

U.S. District Court, Houston Division: “….At approximately 11:15 p.m. on the night of November 7, 1961, the Chinese Motor Vessel UNION RELIANCE and the Norwegian Motor Tanker BEREAN were in collision in that portion of the Houston Ship Channel which crosses Galveston Bay. As a result, twelve lives were lost and certain personal injuries were sustained aboard the UNION RELIANCE. Both vessels were damaged and damage was done to the cargo aboard each vessel.

“Both vessels caught fire, though the fire aboard the BEREAN was extinguished within a matter of a few hours. The UNION RELIANCE remained ablaze and at anchor, blocking the Houston Ship Channel at a point close to Buoy No. 73. On November 10, 1961, while still ablaze to such extent that no one could board her, the UNION RELIANCE was towed by the United States Corps of Engineers to Galveston Harbor, where she was anchored….

Sources

United States Coast Guard. Commandant’s Action on Marine Board of Investigation; collision between M/V/ UNION RELIANCE, Chinese flag, and M/V Berean, Norwegian flag, in Houston Ship Channel on 7 November 1961 with loss of life. Wash. DC: Treasury Dept., Commandant, USCG, April 8, 1963, 12 pages. Accessed 10-23-2022 at: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/CG-5PC/INV/docs/boards/unionreliance.pdf

United States District Court, S.D. Texas, Houston Division. “Matter of China Union Lines, Ltd.” 7-17-1963. Accessed 10-23-2022 at: https://casetext.com/case/matter-of-china-union-lines-ltd