USS LST-480
Landing Ship, Tank · United States · Lost 1944 · The Hawaiian Islands
A landing ship destroyed in the 1944 West Loch disaster whose forward hull still lies beached at Pearl Harbor, a rare visible remnant of the tragedy.
The Vessel and Her Loss
LST-480 was moored in West Loch, Pearl Harbor, loading ammunition for the invasion of the Mariana Islands when a nearby explosion set off the catastrophic West Loch disaster. Fire and secondary blasts destroyed the ship along with five other LSTs. Unlike most of the wreckage, her forward hull was left beached and remains visible at West Loch today.
Vessel
- 1942
- LST-480
- Permanente Metals Corporation
- Richmond, California
- Steel
- 328 ft
- 50 ft
- 1625
- 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
- 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
- Forward hull remains beached and visible at West Loch to this day.
- Not established
- Not established
- Within Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, restricted military property
Position
- 21.36° N 158.00° W
- Approximate position
- West Loch, Pearl Harbor, Oahu
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (88/100)
Naval History and Heritage Command
Disaster narrative.
Vessel specifications, loss details.
