Penobscot-Morania Collision

Penobscot-Morania Collision (HM1LJK)

Location: Buffalo, NY 14203 Erie County
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Country: United States of America
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N 42° 52.668', W 78° 53.27'

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The worst disaster in Buffalo Harbor history took place in the Buffao River at this point on the night of Oct. 29, 1951, freighter Penobscot and the gasoline barge Morina collided, sparking an explosion and fire that took 11 lives. The collision occurred as the 230-foot tank barge, carrying 19,200 barrels of gasoline and pushed by the tug Dauntless, rounded the lighthouse point and cut across the channel towards the Erie Basin. The Penobscot hit the low, unlit barge, rupturing two tanks and spilling gasoline that ignited when the vessels pulled apart. Capt. Louis Guyette and wheelsman Roy Richardson died at their posts in the Penobscot's burning pilot house, while swinging the vessel's stern against this pier while crewmen could slide down ropes to safety.
Placed ByBuffalo Lighthouse Association
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Sunday, July 5th, 2015 at 10:02pm PDT -07:00
Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)17T E 672502 N 4749408
Decimal Degrees42.87780000, -78.88783333
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 42° 52.668', W 78° 53.27'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds42° 52' 40.08" N, 78° 53' 16.2" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)716


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