Copy of a Report of the Office of Area Defense Coordinator Martinez, California July 17, 1944

July 10, 1944 Detailed report of the functioning of the Office of Area Defense Co-ordinator, Martinez, California, following an explosion at the Port Chicago Naval Ammunition Depot, at 10:19 P.M. JULY 17, '44. 10:22 P.M. Area Coordinator John A. Miller arrived in office of the Martinez Area Defense Headquarters. 10:25 P.M. Called placed to County-Coordinator Lester Bowers, Antioch 426. No contact made. 10:35 P.M. Rite McCarthy and Mrs. Catherine McCarthy reported to control center. Not in operation yet and they reported in Area office for duty. They were placed at one of the three priority telephone lines. 10:37 P.M. Called Antioch 426. Mrs. Bower advised Mr. Bower had left immediately for the scene. 10:38 P.M. Numerous calls inquiring damage. None official and all during night seme but henceforth no record will be made this type of calls. 10:41 P.M. Col. Rutten, Benecia Arsenal called to inquire extent of damage and offer all assistance. 10:43 P.M. Napa County Coordinator H.G. Sawyer called from Napa 13311 offering essistance, advising his location. 10:48 P.M. Joe Joseph, Chief of Police, Crockett called offering himself and group. Advised them proceed to Martinez. 10:53 P.K. Col. Rutten edvised doctors and nurses enroute. 10:58 P.M. Coordinator Sawyer advised doctors and nurses enroute. 11:15 P.M. Received advises power lines disrupted. PG&E advised troubleshooters being essembled. Mr. Fryer gethering and dispatching them. 11:18 P.M. Mabel Bowen, Martinez Ambulance Corps. had ambulance at Memorial Hall, Port Chicago on duty. 11:19 P.M. Sutp. Schools B.O. Wilson appeared advising his wife assisting County Hospital and he was proceeding there as best way to assist. 11:20 P.M. Miss Waterman, incharge of Marin Red Cross advised Marin Red Cross ready to move on monents notice. She could be reached at San Anselmo and County Coordinator Bordernaro awaiting our call. 11:20 P.M. Coast Counties Gas had dispatched linemen from Concord into the stricken district. 11:25 P.M. Morgan Anderson, State Council of Defense phoned from S.F. sending nurses and leaving himself for the scene. 11:30 P.M. Larry Dufor of Solono County Hospital had dispatched two nursos to Contra Costa County Hospital. 11:35 P.M. Col. Rutten phoned advising he had received information that two ships had blown up at Port Chicago Naval Ammunition. This was first authentic information. 11:45 P.M. Mr. Rabenstoin, Martinez Defense Center desired infor- mation if coffee and other food could be assembled and transmitted. 11:50 P.M. Called Mrs. Hemphitt to ask her to investigate possi- bility of Red Cross attending to this detail. 11:56 P.M. County Coordinator Robert Cantu of Sonoma County phonod to adviso two doctors and two nurses had loft his county enroute to County Hospital, Martinez, ready for action. 11:56 P.M. Clare Horner, Richmond Coordinator appeared personally andstayod n.oxtended time assistance on phones which now vere pouring in. Gavo much help. Offered all Richond assistance we neodod. Horo on ground floor to 11:59 P.H Capt. Pierco, Benecia regnal advised two ambulancos enroute. 12:05 A.M. Goo. Burton.Red Supt. Sheriffs Office reported heavy blockado all rods loading Port Chicago. They wore mak- ing somo hoadway to clear it up. 12:05 A.M. Martinoz Community and Contra Costa County Hospitals reported heavy arival of casualties. 12:06 A.M. Lester Mullens ploned from Martinez Cantoen that they were preparing cffoe. 12:10 A.M. Dr. Gibbons of State Modical O.C.D. phoned standing by at Bayview 1913 for orders or appoals. 12:15 A.M. Deputy Coordinator S.F. Motropoliten Dofonse Council, Joe Murphy phoned to advise the control center was in operation and he could be reached thore, Markot 1735. 12:17 a.m. Sheriffs Office, Napa County, phoned reporting throe nurses and four doctors had left napa for Martinez.