December 19, 1960 -
The USS Constellation fire took place on board the famous Kitty Hawk-class carrier under construction in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. This followed December 11 aircrash disaster Guitarman noted last week. The Constellation fire resulted in 50 deaths and injured 336 firefighters.
The fire started aboard the under-construction carrier when a fork lift truck hit a steel plate which then ruptured a 1200 gallon tank of diesal fuel. The tank was located on the hangar deck along with wooden sheds, lumber, paint and wiring. The ship was a floating lumber yard with between 3200 and 4200 construction workers on board with limited exit ramps.
The first alarm for box was received by Bklyn at 1030. A 5th alarm was transmitted within 30 minutes. A second alarm simultaeous call for Manhattan (77-308-66-22-277) resulted in 35 engines, 5 ladders, 4 fireboats, 6 squads and 3 rescues. 580 members and 150 probationary members fought the fire. A total of 65 lines were used to extinguish the fire. Countless rescues to reach construction workers who were below decks some of whom had sealed themselves off in individual compartments.
The companies who operated at both the aircraft fire in Park Slope on December 11 and the Constellation fire at the Navy Yard were Engines 7, 9, 15, 17, 31, 55, 207, 210, 219, 235, Trucks 102, Bn 31, Rescues 1, 2 4.
The famous carrier eventually was launched in October 1961:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Constellation_(CV-64)
http://www.navysite.de/cvn/cv64.htm
(Most of this info in Winter 1961 WNYF)
The USS Constellation fire took place on board the famous Kitty Hawk-class carrier under construction in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. This followed December 11 aircrash disaster Guitarman noted last week. The Constellation fire resulted in 50 deaths and injured 336 firefighters.
The fire started aboard the under-construction carrier when a fork lift truck hit a steel plate which then ruptured a 1200 gallon tank of diesal fuel. The tank was located on the hangar deck along with wooden sheds, lumber, paint and wiring. The ship was a floating lumber yard with between 3200 and 4200 construction workers on board with limited exit ramps.
The first alarm for box was received by Bklyn at 1030. A 5th alarm was transmitted within 30 minutes. A second alarm simultaeous call for Manhattan (77-308-66-22-277) resulted in 35 engines, 5 ladders, 4 fireboats, 6 squads and 3 rescues. 580 members and 150 probationary members fought the fire. A total of 65 lines were used to extinguish the fire. Countless rescues to reach construction workers who were below decks some of whom had sealed themselves off in individual compartments.
The companies who operated at both the aircraft fire in Park Slope on December 11 and the Constellation fire at the Navy Yard were Engines 7, 9, 15, 17, 31, 55, 207, 210, 219, 235, Trucks 102, Bn 31, Rescues 1, 2 4.
The famous carrier eventually was launched in October 1961:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Constellation_(CV-64)
http://www.navysite.de/cvn/cv64.htm
(Most of this info in Winter 1961 WNYF)
