The Corinthos Disaster

By Christian Lewis


A number of people who have Delaware County for the better part of their lives have come to know of the County’s major emergencies like the Wade Dump fire. However there is one event that was very distinctive and very dangerous. The Corinthos Disaster was unique in several respects most notably it was the largest disaster of its kind to be contained by an all-volunteer response. January 31, 2009 will mark the 34th anniversary of this major event in the County’s history.
Events Leading up to:
In January 1975 the war in Vietnam was drawing to an end, Gerald Ford was the President and no one in the small borough of Marcus Hook could have believed that their small town would play host to such a major disaster. On January 31, 1975 a chemical transport ship the Edgar M. Queeny was leaving the Monsanto dock on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River. Across the river and just north of the Queeny was the British Petroleum Pier where the Liberian oil tanker Corinthos was docked and offloading its cargo of crude oil. At about 12:06 AM the Edgar Queeny had left dock and was preparing to make a turn to head up the river. Assisted by one tug, the Edgar M. Queeny had started its turn. At 12:26 AM the “full astern” order was given and 2 minutes later the Queeny struck the Corinthos.
Fire Operations:
The first dispatch went out from Delaware County Fireboard at 12:29 AM bringing both Marcus Hook and Viscose fire companies to the scene. Upon arrival Marcus Hook fire company’s Chief Robert Sides called for a second alarm and additional ambulances from the surrounding area. When Chief Sides found the oil tanker fully involved with flames reaching 400-500 feet into the air, he immediately an ordered defensive line was setup between the burning vessel and the adjacent refinery. The dock and the approach to the dock were fully involved in fire and it would be around 6 am until units were able to advance onto the pier. The fire was pushed back enough for lines and deluge guns to be advanced towards the burning ship. Around this time help was requested from the coast guard and the Philadelphia fire department marine units. Also requests went out for large amounts of foam to be brought to the scene this was supplied by neighboring refineries, BP’s own stockpile, and National Foam in West Chester, PA, a half hour from the scene. The chief county fire marshal, George T. Lewis Jr, helped in many phases of the incident such as distribution of equipment and manpower. He scheduled working times for the crews on scene so they could be used more effectively over the course of the event. Over the 5 days firefighters from 52 fire companies from Delaware County, Claymont, Delaware, and Philadelphia fire department marine units as well as the United States Coast Guard battled the raging fire. Early on it was decided to let the ship burn to minimize the risks to the river itself. Everyone from the highest officer to the firefighters on the line knew luck was on their side; had the weather not cooperated the fire could have easily advanced into the refinery.


Conclusion:

Beyond the fire operations the volunteers and organizations that stepped up in support of helping the victims and keeping the firefighters fed and rested should be given just as much credit as the firefighters who stood in the path of the fire. The men and women that participated in all aspects of this disaster have earned a place in history and this condensed version of the disaster is to get their story out. If people wish to find out more there are is a book in called The Corinthos Disaster: Oil Tanker Fire and Explosion written by George Piasecki Enterprises available on Amazon or at the George T. Lewis, Jr. Library at the Delaware County Emergency Svcs Training Center in Sharon Hill, PA.








Firefighter Christian Lewis
(South Media Fire Company, Nether Providence Township)
100 N. Providence Rd.
Media, PA 19063
Phone: (610) 566-1390
Email: phanatic121588@hotmail.com