On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two ships loading ammunition for Pacific troops exploded. It was WWII's worst home front disaster.
Learn how to visit the national park site.
Discover the stories of those impacted by the disaster.
Uncover the history and stories of Port Chicago.
Explore historic images of the disaster, contemporary photos of the site, and events.
Answers to your most common questions.
Watch a powerful documentary on The Port Chicago Disaster. Click link for the presentation page.
Learn more about research and park collections.
A small number of photos have been colorized to show more details and to provide a new perspective.
Learn More About Our Park Partner, Friends of Port Chicago National Memorial
Last updated: July 12, 2024
