The USS Mount Hood (AE-1) was a cargo ship of the United States Navy, specifically designed for ammunition supply. Launched in 1944, it played a crucial role during World War II, supporting naval operations in the Pacific Theater. The ship was named after the famous Mount Hood, a dormant stratovolcano in Oregon. On November 10, 1944, the USS Mount Hood suffered a catastrophic explosion while anchored in Humboldt Bay, Papua New Guinea. The explosion resulted in the loss of 300 crew members and nearby ships, marking it as one of the most significant maritime disasters in U.S. naval history.