CHAIN REACTION
A chain reaction ensued with explosion after explosion taking place as the LSTs blew up. A total of 163 men were killed and 395 wounded. Fires burned for 24 hours and twenty buildings ashore were badly damaged. Six LSTs were sunk and many damaged.
It was kept secret for 16 years. No conclusive evidence has been found to explain the cause. Possibly gasoline fumes or mortar shells exploded while being handled.
It was afterwards recommended that LSTs not be nested together during loading, but Admiral Nimitz vetoed the idea because of lack of facilities and LSTs continued to be loaded in groups, but much more carefully..
LSTS
A LST had a crew of 119 and could carry 200 Marines, 80-100 barrels of high octane fuel and 6000 cubic feet of ammo.
You can see pictures at
www.nps.gov/archives/usar'scrs'scrs2z.htm
Like I Said, I'd Never Heard of It. --Cooter
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