Decades-old explosion on USS Leyte still largest loss of life ever on Boston’s waterfront

Thirty-seven people killed 40 injured -- sailors and civilians -- in an explosion on Oct. 16, 1953. It was the largest loss of life ever on Boston’s waterfront.
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[@marybabiec]

My uncle served aboard the USS Leyte

[@ResponseShop2]

My father was on board. He didn't talk much about it but credited his survival to the fact that he was in the shower when the explosion happened. He felt the shower stall saved his life.

[@chuckkentis7878]

My dad was down where the fire was just before it started. He up on deck for something and all his buddies down there were killed. He was training as a fire fighter and had to help remove the bodies. He never spoke of it to anyone. But had a break down later on about that.

[@ginaalwaysavip1177]

We will never forget! God Bless these men that survived. XOXO

[@kittybitts567]

God bless their souls. May they rest in peace. May perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed through the Mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen

[@angelcakes2727]

Amen ❤

[@Faith_Through_Struggle]

my dad served aboard this ship and I only heard at his funeral that he, with other sailors had gone to get each other a drink from the galley I’m assuming, when a “pipe” exploded and my dad was the only one to survive. That’s the story my relatives know as they are much older than me but finding this video kinda puts that circumstance in a brighter light as maybe my dad was onboard this ship at that time as he served on the uss oriskany aswell but he never talked much about the Leyte😲🧐

[@enzos711]

Hydraulic Fluid Leak, from Catapult ..

[@omnipotent9515]

My grandfather was on that ship as well im pretty sure. story was he was taking out the trash when the explosion went off. I've seen pictures online of the aftermath. I have to go down to Charlestown and see that plaque. It should have his name on it, He died about a year or two ago. Last time I seen him I shouldve brought it up.

[@InfectedChris]

@@omnipotent9515 last time you SAW it.

[@omnipotent9515]

@@InfectedChris im sorry what are you referring too.

[@InfectedChris]

@@omnipotent9515 "I seen him" makes no sense.