USS LST-353
Landing Ship, Tank · United States · Lost 1944 · The Hawaiian Islands
The landing ship believed to have triggered the secret 1944 West Loch disaster, one of the deadliest homefront accidents of the Pacific war.
The Vessel and Her Loss
LST-353 was loading mortar ammunition in West Loch, Pearl Harbor, ahead of the invasion of the Mariana Islands when an explosion tore through her deck. The blast ignited a chain reaction that sank six LSTs and killed 163 personnel in what became known as the West Loch disaster. The incident was kept secret by the Navy until 1960.
Vessel
- 1942
- LST-353
- Charleston Navy Yard
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Steel
- 328 ft
- 50 ft
- 1780
- Diesel, twin screw
- United States Navy
Loss
- May 21, 1944
- Fire
- West Loch, Pearl Harbor
- Pearl Harbor
- Staging for the invasion of the Mariana Islands
- Mortar ammunition and amphibious assault supplies
- Not established
- Part of the broader West Loch disaster, which killed 163 personnel and injured 396 across six LSTs.
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Wreckage was towed to sea and dumped after the disaster.
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- 21.36° N 158.00° W
- Approximate position
- West Loch, Pearl Harbor, Oahu
Position marks the West Loch staging area; the wreckage itself was later dumped at sea.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (85/100)
The precise cause of the initial explosion was never conclusively determined by the Navy's inquiry.
Naval History and Heritage Command
Disaster narrative, casualty figures.
