103 sailors killed by explosions on aircraft carrier off Rhode Island 60 years ago this hour (May 26 1954)


Video: 'USS Bennington'

(Wednesday, May 26, 1954, 6:15 a.m. EDT) — Explosions rocked the aircraft carrier USS Bennington today off Rhode Island, killing 103 sailors. The initial blast was blamed on leaking catapult fluid ignited by the flames of a jet.