EFFORTS TO CONTROL FIRE CAUSE OIL TO SPREAD 14 MILES DOWN CALIFORNIA COAST
Santa Barbara, California (JFK+50) On April 16, 1926, Associated Press reports that "thousands of sea birds are dying and extinction threatens the pismo clam" as a result of the $10 million oil fire at San Luis Obispo*."
Captain Robert Ord...declared, according to AP, that oil reached the ocean and spread 14 miles down the coast as a result of the effort to control the fire.
Union Oil Company** will clean up the beach "by spraying the surface water with gasoline and setting it afire."
*San Luis Obispo, founded in 1772, became a popular tourist destination known for historic architecture & vineyards.
**Union Oil Company of California was founded in 1890 in Santa Paula, CA. The '76' brand became famous & was acquired by Chevron in 2005.
SOURCE
"Oil to Be Burned From Pacific to Save Sea Birds," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., April 16, 1926, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
