Edna Reichert & Edward Havlicek

The South Amboy Explosion of 1950

Sadly, three short-months later Edward was killed on the job. He was working as the chief engineer of the JAMES HEALING, a wooden hulled lighter of 40 gross tons, owned by Healing & Sons and operated by the James Healing Company of Jersey City, N.J. On this day four "lighters" [barges] were docked at what was known as the "lighter pier" at South Amboy, New Jersey where the transfer of munitions and dynamite was to be made from railway cars.

At approxiamately 6:30 PM, May 19th, 1950, an explosion occurred which destroyed the 4 barges, damaged 14 other vessels (many of which were total losses) and damaged nearby homes and businesses. As a result, 5 people were killed, 26 were missing and presumed dead, 52 people were treated at local hospitals and 150 others received medical treatment. Edward HAVLICEK was among those missing and presumed dead.

According to newspaper articles about the event, Albert REICHERT (Edna's brother & Edward's brother-in-law) had been employed by this same company and had given up his job on the barges to work a tug based on Long Island. He rushed to the scene of the accident upon learning about it from the radio.The South Amboy Munitions Explosion was an event that defines the city of South Amboy to this day.

• The Columbia Gazetteer of North America (2000) included mention of the explosion in it's description of the city: "South Amboy, city (1990 pop. 7,863), Middlesex co., E N.J., opposite Perth Amboy, with a harbor at mouth of Raritan R. (bridged here); 40°29'N 74°16'W. Mfg. (steel prods., rubber and plastic goods); clay (dug here since early 19th cent.); transships coal. Terminal (1832) of the Camden and Amboy, state’s 1st RR; became an important coal port. Settled 1651; inc. as borough 1888, as city 1908. Damaged (1950) by explosion of munitions."
• Philip Peterson was a member of the Civil Defense Amateur Radio Emergency Service in 1950 and relayed messages from the scene of the tragedy. In 1990, he presented a broadcast of his memories of the event.
• Amendment to the Dangerous Cargo Act July 16, 1952: Prohibited issuing of explosives loading permits to vessels unless shipment conforms to regulations and permit reflects any other COTP requirements.
• Official United States Coast Guard Report on the Investigation of the South Amboy Explosion (Also available here as a .pdf)
• The Spotswood H.S. History Club created a documentary video on local history including one on the "South Amboy Powder Pier Explosion of 1950."

Interment Records,Flushing Cemetery, 163-06 46th Avenue, Flushing, NY 11358.

Memorial Service, Edward Havlicek, St. Jacobus Evangelical Lutheran Church, Woodside, NY