On 10 November, the ship was lying in Berth 380, in the central part of the harbor near the harbor entrance, instead of being moored well away from the main anchorage. This was done for reasons of convenience, as it afforded her calmer water, shortened the boating distances for ammunition transfer, and allowed cruisers to come directly alongside her for munitioning. She was loaded with an assortment of munitions, including 100lb. and 250lb. bombs; 5in., 6in., 8in., and 14in. shells and powder charges; .30 cal., .50 cal, and 20mm machine-gun projectiles; aerial depth charges; and rocket projectiles and motors. In all, these comprised approximately 3,800 tons of ammunition. The ship was surrounded by small craft, including several medium-sized LCM landing craft. All five of her hatches were open, and 500lb. bombs were being loaded into #3 Hold. At 08:30 on 10 November 1944, a party consisting of communications officer, Lt. Lester H. Wallace, and 17 men left the ship and headed for shore to collect the ship's mail. At 08:55, while this party was walking on the beach, the explosion occurred. Even at a distance of 4600 yards from the ship, the force of the explosion knocked Wallace and most of his men from their feet. Scrambling back into their boat, they headed back to the ship, only to turn around again shortly thereafter as "There was nothing but debris all around...".