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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Mount Hood (AE-11) --
Explosion, 11 November 1944

This page features views of the explosion of USS Mount Hood (AE-11) and its aftermath. Photographs of the actual explosion are presented in approximately the same order as taken.

For additional images of related USS Mount Hood (AE-11), see: USS Mount Hood (AE-11), 1944-1944

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 45736

USS Mount Hood (AE-11)


Explodes in Seeadler Harbor, Manus, Admiralty Islands, 10 November 1944.
The photograph was taken by a sailor from Spencer, West Virginia, who gave it to the donor.

Donation of Admiral Felix B. Stump, 1963.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 71KB; 740 x 495 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 65605

USS Mount Hood (AE-11)


Explodes in Seeadler Harbor, Manus, Admiralty Islands, 10 November 1944.
Photographed by a photographer of the 57th Construction Battalion, who had set up his camera to take pictures of the Battalion's camp.
Note smoke trails left by fragments ejected by the explosion, and splashes at their impact points.

Collection of Commander Lester B. Marx, Commanding Officer of the 57th C.B.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 96173

USS Mount Hood (AE-11)


Explodes in Seeadler Harbor, Manus, Admiralty Islands, 10 November 1944.
Note smoke trails left by fragments ejected by the explosion.

Copied from the War Diary, Manus Naval Base, for November 1944

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 114KB; 595 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 95404

USS Mount Hood (AE-11)


Explodes in Seeadler Harbor, Manus, Admiralty Islands, 10 November 1944, as seen from the Naval Supply Depot on Manus.

Copied from the War Diary, Naval Base, Manus, for November 1944.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 108KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 65604

USS Mount Hood (AE-11)


Smoke cloud expanding, just after she exploded in Seeadler Harbor, Manus, Admiralty Islands, 10 November 1944.
Photographed by a photographer of the 57th Construction Battalion, who had set up his camera to take pictures of the Battalion's camp.

Collection of Commander Lester B. Marx.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 95405

Explosion of USS Mount Hood (AE-11) in Seeadler Harbor, Manus, Admiralty Islands, 10 November 1944


Small craft gathered around USS Mindanao (ARG-3) during salvage and rescue efforts shortly after Mount Hood blew up about 350 yards away from Mindanao's port side. Mindanao, and seven motor minesweepers (YMS) moored to her starboard side, were damaged by the blast, as were USS Alhena (AKA-9), in the photo's top left center, and USS Oberrender (DE-344), in top right.
Note the extensive oil slick, with tracks through it made by small craft.

Copied from the War Diary, Manus Naval Base, for November 1944

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 140KB; 635 x 675 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 96174

Explosion of USS Mount Hood (AE-11) in Seeadler Harbor, Manus, Admiralty Islands, 10 November 1944


Salvage and rescue work underway on USS Mindanao (ARG-3) shortly after Mount Hood blew up about 350 yards away. Note heavy damage to Mindanao's hull and superstructure, including large holes from fragment impacts. View looks forward from alongside her port quarter.
USS Mindanao had 180 crewmen killed and injured by this explosion. She was under repair until 21 December 1944.
Small craft alongside or nearby include (from left) YPB-6 (probable identification), two LCVPs and YPB-7.

Copied from the War Diary, Manus Naval Base, for November 1944

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 118KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 96175

Explosion of USS Mount Hood (AE-11) in Seeadler Harbor, Manus, Admiralty Islands, 10 November 1944


Four motor minesweepers (YMS) alongside the starboard side of USS Mindanao (ARG-3) shortly after Mount Hood blew up about 350 yards away from Mindanao's port side. These wooden minesweepers were protected from most of the direct force of the blast by Mindanao's hull, but received some damage.
USS YMS-340 is second from the left. Note that her open bridge bulwarks have been blown down.
Also note differing types of retracting accoustic "hammer box" mountings on the bows of these ships.

Copied from the War Diary, Manus Naval Base, for November 1944

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 107KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 95406

Explosion of USS Mount Hood (AE-11) in Seeadler Harbor, Manus, Admiralty Islands, 10 November 1944


Damage to Quonset huts atop the barge YF-681 from concussion from the explosion that destroyed USS Mount Hood. The barge is alongside USS Argonne (AG-31), which was also damaged by the blast.

Copied from the War Diary, Manus Naval Base, for November 1944

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 

For additional images of related USS Mount Hood (AE-11), see: USS Mount Hood (AE-11), 1944-1944


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

30 September 1999