Explosion West Loch disaster

the burned hulk of lst-39 on 21 may 1944.



lst-480 on 22 may 1944.



lst-480 burns again on 23 may 1944. sunken lst-353 disaster originated lies off starboard bow

at 15:08, lst-353, moored @ tare 8, exploded, sending large fireball sky. noise heard miles away @ pearl harbor headquarters. more explosions of increasing intensity followed, sparking fears of japanese attack or earthquake. fire , debris raining down on fuel , munitions stored on decks of other lsts had caused explosive chain reaction. within minutes, 200 men had been blown water. eleven wooden buildings on shore destroyed , vehicles blown on side. in all, 20 buildings damaged.

initial efforts crews fight fires impeded heat, although ships further away managed muster damage control parties. many of lsts tied @ tare 8 began sink. within hour, admiral richmond k. turner directing fire-fighting efforts launch.

various lsts managed move safety under own power or assistance tugboats. others abandoned , allowed drift, spreading fires, before sinking in channel. leaking oil ignited on water spread fires tares 7 , 9 though had been unharmed after first explosions @ tare 8. tugboats , foam-carrying salvage ships pearl harbor arrived fight spreading fires. 1 ship managed turn drifting lst away collision course ammunition ship docked across loch @ ammunition depot.

a final explosion occurred @ 22:30; while several lsts continued burn 24 hours. in total, harbor tugs osceola, hoga, , geronimo, net tender tamaha, chartered tug mikioi, , smaller tugs ytl-233, ytl-306, ytl-307, ytl-308, ytl-309, , ytl-339 damaged while engaged in fire control efforts.