Dale Martin
City Manager
Fernandina Beach
February 1, 2019
On Sunday, I will be honored to represent Fernandina Beach at the annual ceremony commemorating the forty-eighth anniversary of the Thiokol plant explosion near Woodbine, Georgia. The explosion on Feb 3, 1971, killed twenty-nine workers. According to Ms. Jannie Everette, CEO/President of the Thiokol Memorial Organization, Fernandina Beach played a key role in the response to the disaster, not only by sending Fire Department personnel and equipment, but also initiated the alert that brought additional immediate resources from the Jacksonville area.
The Thiokol facility was constructed in 1964 to support rocket engine solid fuel development for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The specific site was selected due to its relative remoteness but still easy access to deep water and Cape Canaveral as well as the available labor pool. Subsequently, though, NASA decided to use liquid fuel engines, so the plant transitioned to other products. In 1969, Thiokol was awarded an Army contract to manufacture trip flares for use in the ongoing Vietnam War.
The primary component of the trip flares was magnesium. Magnesium burns very bright and very hot (2,500 degrees) and, when burning, cannot be extinguished by normal methods (water, interacting with magnesium, creates hydrogen gas, which also burns). The components of the flares were originally classified as the most dangerous substances other than nuclear or biological hazards. In 1967, the classification was, for unknown reasons, reduced to a mere fire hazard (falling from the original Class 7 to Class 2). In 1970, the error was recognized and the original classification restored. Sadly, the Thiokol facility did not receive notice of the higher re-designation until three weeks after the explosion.
The explosion occurred at 10:53 AM in Building M-132, where the flares were assembled and stored (by a primarily African-American female workforce). A small fire started, which was actually a somewhat common experience, but nonetheless, workers evacuated the building. Since the previous small fires had been always been safely extinguished, however, workers did not actually leave the area. This fire was different, as it spread to the storage area, resulting in a massive fireball.
The building was destroyed, several other buildings severely damaging, trees burned, and windows were shattered for miles. Twenty-four workers died in the blast or its immediate aftermath and another five died later from injuries. Dozens of others suffered severe injuries.
The emergency response units available in 1971 in Camden County were limited to the Kingsland volunteer fire department. Calls for help went out throughout southeastern Georgia, and, with the assistance of Fernandina Beach, northeastern Florida. As mentioned, personnel and equipment of the Fernandina Beach Fire Department also responded to the site. The explosion is considered the worst disaster in southeastern Georgia.
Led by Ms. Everette, the Thiokol Memorial Organization, seeks to appropriately recognize and honor the efforts of the plant workers, not only those who perished, but the others who returned to work shortly thereafter to continue their support of the war effort. At the request of the Thiokol Memorial Organization, I have drafted a letter to President Trump in support of a Presidential Freedom Medal for the victims. More information about the Thiokol Memorial Organization can be found on its website (thiokolmemroial.org).
This story has been recounted previously by all local media in Fernandina Beach. It continues to warrant reconsideration as a truly significant regional event in which Fernandina Beach played an important role. I attended last year’s ceremony and look forward to again representing Fernandina Beach and supporting the victims, families, and communities affected by this disaster.
The ceremony is scheduled for 3:00 PM at St. Marys Middle School. The ceremony time, normally conducted to coincide with the 10:53 AM occurrence of the explosion, has been delayed to accommodate Sunday worship services (area churches have been asked to recognize a moment of silence at 10:53 AM).