This might be what you are referring to,
February 18 1942,
On February 15, 1942, the Pollux departed Maine for Argentia, Newfoundland, where a large US air-naval base existed. It was carrying a cargo of bombs, radio equipment, aircraft engines, and other supplies, and was under the escort of the destroyers USS Truxtun and USS Wilkes. Onboard the Pollux was its usual complement of 143 enlisted men, 16 officers, and the single alley cat that served as mascot.......
They owe their lives in large part to eight men from the nearby community of Lawn, as well as to the townsfolk of St. Lawrence, who travelled to the wreck site through a winter storm and spent hours pulling sailors over the cliff and then transporting them to safety. The disaster remains one of the worst in US naval history.
https://www.mun.ca/mha/polluxtruxtun/pollux/
http://www.nww2m.com/2012/02/uss-pollux-truxton-incident/
Yes. That's the case. Somehow, other tragedies are listed as "the worst in US Naval History".