Tank Landing Ships - LST
Description: Tank landing ships (LST) are used to transport and land tanks, amphibious vehicles and other rolling stock in amphibious assault.
Features: Ships of this class are the first to depart from the bow-door design that characterized the workhorses of World War II. The hull form necessary to attain the 20-knot speeds of contemporary amphibious squadrons would not permit bow doors. Accordingly, these ships offload cargo and vehicles by means of a 112-foot ramp over their bow. A stern gate allows off-loading of amphibious vehicles directly into the water. The two ships of this class, now assigned to the Naval Reserve Forces, are the only of this 20-ship class of LSTs remaining in the fleet.
Point of Contact:
Public Affairs Office
Naval Sea Systems Command
Washington, DC 20362
General Characteristics, Newport class
Builders: National Steel and Shipbuilding
Power plant: Six diesels, two shafts, 16,000 brake horsepower
Length: 522 feet (156.6 meters)
Beam: 69 feet (20.7 meters)
Displacement: 8,450 tons (8,585.61 metric tons) full load
Speed: 20 knots (23 miles, 36.8 km, per hour)
Ships:
USS Frederick (LST-1184), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS La Moure County (LST-1194), Little Creek, Va.
Crew: 13 officers, 244 enlisted
Armament: One 20 mm Phalanx CIWS mount; two 25 mm MK 38 machine guns
Date Deployed: June 7, 1969 (USS Newport)
