1952 — May 25, tankers A. C. Dodge and Michael collide, explos./fire, Delaware Riv., DE–10

–10 NFPA. “Large Loss Fires of 1952.” Quarterly of the NFPA, V. 46, N. 3, Jan 1953, p. 243.
–8 tanker A.C. Dodge
–2 tanker Michael
–10 USCG. Marine Board of Investigation; collision between the MV A. C. Didge and the SS
Michael, Delaware River, 25 May 1952, with loss of life. 8 December 1952, p. 1.

Narrative Information

National Fire Protection Association: “May 25, Delaware River, Del. M.S. A. C. Dodge, et al. $1,000,000; 10 killed.

“1,147 gross ton tank vessel, A. C. Dodge, loaded with gasoline. The tank vessel A. C. Dodge and the freighter [tanker] Michael proceeding in opposite directions collided while attempting to pass. Fire broke out immediately, accompanied by explosions aboard the Dodge, and as the two vessels separated flames from burning gasoline on the water reached as high as the mast head of the Michael. The Dodge was completely enveloped in flame and later sank. Fire burned in the bow of the Michael for several hours. Eight crew members of the Dodge and two on the Michael lost their lives, presumably by drowning. The primary cause of the disaster, according to the Marine Board of Investigation, was that the pilot of the Michael reversed his planned passing of the Dodge and failed to take proper action when there was no clear agreement between the vessels as to the passing situation.” (National Fire Protection Association. “Large Loss Fires of 1952.” Quarterly of the National Fire Protection Association, Vol. 46, No. 3, Jan 1953, p. 243.)

United States Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation Report: “During the evening of 25 Mary 1952, the SS Michael, a tank vessel of 10,441 g.t., fully loaded with crude oil, was up-bound and the MV A. C. Dodge, a tank vessel of 1,147 g.t., fully loaded with gasoline, was down-bound in the Delaware River. The weather was clear, visibility 5 to 10 miles and a flood tide of about one knot. At the intersection of Reedy Island and Baker Ranges, passing signals were exchanged for a normal port-to-port passing, following which the A. C. Dodge evidently made an erratic change of heading which confused the Michael, and although collision-avoiding action was taken, such efforts, due to close proximity and speed of the vessels, were ineffective and both vessels collided at approximately 2230, 35 May 1952. The A. C. Dodge exploded, caught fire and sank and the Michael sustained hull and superficial fire damage. As a result of this casualty, the following eight crew members from the Dodge and two from the Michael lost their lives:

A. C. Dodge
John D. Elliott, Master
John N. Elliott, Second Mate
Charles Hole, Chief Engineer
John R. Holmes, 1st Assistant Engineer
Rasmus M. Kleppe, Deckhand
Ramond E. Anderson, Deckhand
William O’Brien, Cook
Howard E. Moller, Deckhand

Michael
Clarence R. Backman, Consular Passenger
Alfred R. Magnuson, 3rd Mate [p.1.]

“The Board made the following Findings of Fact:

“1. The tankers Michael and A. C. Dodge collided in the Delaware River in the vicinity of Reedy Island Range Lighted Bell Buoy 2-R (1541) at about 2230 Eastern Daylight Saving Time on 25 May 1952. Fire and explosion occurred on the Dodge immediately after the impact, resulting in the subsequent sinking of the vessel 1200 yards 059⁰ True from Reedy Island Middle Light. The Michael suffered hull damage in the way of both bows and from fire which burned in that section for some hours after the collision. She also suffered superficial fire damage on the after part of the hull from gasoline burning on the water. Eight crew members from the Dodge and two from the Michael were unaccounted for after the disaster, and of these, four bodies have been recovered, three identified from the Dodge and one from the Michael; the others are still missing and presumed dead. Other crew members suffered injuries of varying extent, none seriously…. [p. 2.]
….
“7….The Michael’s radar was in operation but was not used before or during the collision.

“Since no eye witnesses from the Dodge survived the collision the circumstances before and after it occurred are those given in the testimony of the Michael witnesses…. [p. 4.]

“The only survivor from the Dodge [name blacked out] could shed but little light on the collision because he was asleep in his quarters when it occurred. He was partly thrown from his bunk by the impact, and on dashing for the door saw the engine room full of flames. He then donned a life jacket, jumped overboard through the port, swam from the scene and managed to get on board a gas buoy, where he remained until rescued…..” [p. 6.]

Sources

National Fire Protection Association. “Large Loss Fires of 1952.” Quarterly of the National Fire Protection Association, Vol. 46, No. 3, Jan 1953, p. 243.

United States Coast Guard. Memorandum from Chief, Merchant Vessel Inspection Division, to Commandant, United States Coast Guard. Subject: Marine Board of Investigation; collision between the MV A. C. Didge and the SS Michael, Delaware River, 25 May 1952, with loss of life. Washington: DC: 8 December 1952, 11 pages. Accessed 6-5-2023 at: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/CG-5PC/INV/docs/boards/acdodge.pdf

Additional Material

New York Times. “Rush To Lifeboats In Collision Denied.” 6-3-1952. Accessed 6-6-2023 at: https://www.nytimes.com/1952/06/03/archives/rush-to-lifeboats-in-collision-denied.html?url=