West Loch Disaster 1944

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Peter H
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West Loch Disaster 1944

#1

Post by Peter H » 01 Aug 2004, 13:00

The West Loch maritime disaster was not declassified until 1960

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http://members.aol.com/dolart/westloc1.jpg
Catastrophe in West Loch (Pearl Harbor), May 21, 1944 when fire and explosions killed or injured 559 men and destroyed six LSTs (Landing Ship, Tank) and three LCTs (Landing Craft, Tank), plus critically needed supplies of the Saipan Invasion Forces.
http://members.aol.com/dolart/westloch.htm

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http://www.nps.gov/usar/scrs/fig247.jpg

More here:
http://www.nps.gov/usar/scrs/scrs2z.htm
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Jack Nisley
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#2

Post by Jack Nisley » 01 Aug 2004, 21:51

This disaster is included in "History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Volume VIII, New Guinea and the Marianas, March 1944 - August 1944" by S. E. Morison, first published June 25, 1953. Undoubtablely, information on the event were classified at the time to prevent the enemy from learning about the incident and some of this information may have gone through normal declassification procedures and not been on public record until 1960.

Please tell me, what is your point?

Jack Nisley
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Andy H
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#3

Post by Andy H » 02 Aug 2004, 01:14

I remember some programme on this earlier this year. One of the main points was that certain elements within the USN were trying to blame the "Negro" cargo handlers etc for the explosion

Andy H
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Takao
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#4

Post by Takao » 02 Aug 2004, 03:44

Andy H,

I think you might be have seen a program about the Port Chicago, California ammunition disaster of July 17, 1944. Three ships were lost and some 320 men were killed and 390 injured. Of these casualties, the majority of the were African-American naval personnel. These African-American seamen mutinied after being denied the 30 day survivor's leave and from the fact that they believed that the USN thought the work was to dangerous for white seamen to do, hence they were doing the job. A Navy Court of Inquiry cleared the white officers and placed the blame on the cargo handlers.

From what I have seen on the West Loch disaster, no mention has been given about any placing of blame on African-Anerican personnel.
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Peter H
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#5

Post by Peter H » 02 Aug 2004, 05:31

Jack,
This topic hopefully highlights some of the forgotten(and dangerous) events of the Pacific War.It was dangerous enough floating around with ammo,out of action.

Though known to many veterans,there was no memorial etc for the victims until last year.

Peter
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Andy H
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#6

Post by Andy H » 02 Aug 2004, 13:42

Thanks for the correction Takao

Andy H
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Takao
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#7

Post by Takao » 04 Aug 2004, 19:53

Another disaster of this nature occurred on November 10, 1944. The USS Mount Hood (AE-11) exploded at Seeadler Harbor, Manus Islands. Some 380 men were either dead or missing, a similar number of wounded, and damage to several ships bearthed nearby. Improper handling was suspected as the cause of this explosion.

Information and a few pictures can be found at this link
http://www.geocities.com/wm_freeman/mthood.html

pictures can be found at this link.
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-u ... ae11-k.htm
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