USS SEATTLE (AOE 3), Explosion, 12 July 1982

On July 12, 1982, the Sacramento class fast combat support ship, USS Seattle (AOE 3) suffered an explosion in the aft portion of the ship while moored alongside a fuel pier at Porto Torres, Sardinia, Italy. The explosion was caused by a reaction between fuel vapors and a chemical that was stored in one of the spaces. The explosion damaged the after steering and the enlisted dining facility. There were no personnel casualties or injuries reported.