Bodvar Gregersen, 51, was last seen February 1, 1972, aboard the chemical tanker SS V.A. Fogg when it sailed from Freeport, Texas, into the Gulf of Mexico carrying xylene. An explosion shortly after departure tore the ship apart and it sank about 33 miles southeast of Freeport. All 39 crew members, including Gregersen, were presumed dead; some bodies were later recovered but Gregersen’s remains were never identified. Investigators believe volatile benzene fumes ignited during routine tank cleaning procedures, though many circumstances surrounding the blast remain unclear. The wreck is now a known diving site and the disaster had lasting effects on the region’s maritime history.

Did anyone who knew Gregersen or served on the V.A. Fogg ever share recollections that could clarify what happened that day?