Remember the Forgotten Forty-nine
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At the time it was the largest, peacetime loss of military lives in a single incident. Forty-nine Sailors and Marines perished and hundreds of lives were changed forever in a tragic Naval accident most of us have forgotten or have never heard of.
Shortly before 2:00 am on January 17, 1977, a U.S. Navy LCM-6 liberty boat left the Pier of Barcelona, carrying 124 Sailors and Marines back to the USS Guam and the USS Trenton.
Minutes after launching, the LCM-6 rounded the end of the pier and made a turn into the path of the Spanish merchant ship Urlea. The ship struck the liberty boat, which capsized, throwing passengers and crew into the icy-cold harbor waters.
Many of the men were trapped under the overturned LCM-6; others climbed on top of the boat or swam to shore.
Almost immediately, Spanish tugs and fishing vessels began picking up survivors. Ambulances were on the scene within minutes. Divers from the Barcelona Fire Department, the Spanish Navy, and a local diving club joined U.S. Forces in rescue efforts. The final body was recovered on February 2, 1977, bringing the total number of dead to 49.
Shortly after the accident, memorial services were held on the USS Guam. Then on the first anniversary, the Barcelona Council of the U.S. Navy League installed a 12-foot monument honoring those who lost their lives and those who aided in the rescue.
It's been nearly 40 years since the accident.
In all this time there's never been a chance for survivors and next-of-kin to meet. That's changing now.
We're raising awareness and reaching out to survivors and next-of-kin through social media. And we're organizing the very first reunion in Barcelona in January 2017.
Your donation will be used to defray the costs of of the event, including travel, lodging and meals, making it possible for veterans and next-of-kin to attend.
Please give generously.
Facebook: ussguamtrenton1977
Web: ussguamtrenton1977.wordpress.com
Reunion and Ceremony coming in January of 2017.
Shortly before 2:00 am on January 17, 1977, a U.S. Navy LCM-6 liberty boat left the Pier of Barcelona, carrying 124 Sailors and Marines back to the USS Guam and the USS Trenton.
Minutes after launching, the LCM-6 rounded the end of the pier and made a turn into the path of the Spanish merchant ship Urlea. The ship struck the liberty boat, which capsized, throwing passengers and crew into the icy-cold harbor waters.
Many of the men were trapped under the overturned LCM-6; others climbed on top of the boat or swam to shore.
Almost immediately, Spanish tugs and fishing vessels began picking up survivors. Ambulances were on the scene within minutes. Divers from the Barcelona Fire Department, the Spanish Navy, and a local diving club joined U.S. Forces in rescue efforts. The final body was recovered on February 2, 1977, bringing the total number of dead to 49.
Shortly after the accident, memorial services were held on the USS Guam. Then on the first anniversary, the Barcelona Council of the U.S. Navy League installed a 12-foot monument honoring those who lost their lives and those who aided in the rescue.
It's been nearly 40 years since the accident.
In all this time there's never been a chance for survivors and next-of-kin to meet. That's changing now.
We're raising awareness and reaching out to survivors and next-of-kin through social media. And we're organizing the very first reunion in Barcelona in January 2017.
Your donation will be used to defray the costs of of the event, including travel, lodging and meals, making it possible for veterans and next-of-kin to attend.
Please give generously.
Facebook: ussguamtrenton1977
Web: ussguamtrenton1977.wordpress.com
Reunion and Ceremony coming in January of 2017.
Organizer
Lisa M Thomas
Organizer
Amarillo, TX
