This video tells the story of the Port Chicago explosion, mutiny and trial.
This is the first of three videos* describing the project by the Treasure Island Museum and our partners** to memorialize the Port Chicago 50 on Yerba Buena Island (YBI) in San Francisco Bay, as part of the redevelopment of Treasure and Yerba Buena Islands. It is presented by Kelli English, Chief of Interpretation of the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, National Park Service.
Video 2 presents the design concept for the history display, which will be atop Hilltop Park on YBI. Video 3 is the first public announcement of the discovery of the site of the mutiny trial, which was previously unknown.
The story began in the racism of the U.S. Navy during World War II. It exploded - literally - with the largest stateside disaster of World War II, killing 320 people, most of them Black sailors ordered to load explosives with no training and inadequate equipment and safety precautions.
50 Black sailors who refused to resume that dangerous work were tried for mutiny on Yerba Buena Island, part of the Treasure Island naval base. Their convictions shone a spotlight on racism in the military, leading sixteen months later to the desegregation of the Navy, and two years after that, of all the armed services.
* All 3 videos: • Memorializing the Port...
** The historical display at Hilltop Park is a joint effort of Treasure Island Museum, the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial unit of the National Park Service, and Treasure Island Development Group and their park designer, Hood Design Studio, with the support of the Treasure Island Development Authority.
14 июл 2022
