USS LST-39
USS LST-39 was a United States Navy LST-1-class tank landing ship used exclusively in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II. Like many of her class, she was not named and is properly referred to by her hull designation.
USS LST-39 and USS LST-480 still ablaze on 22 May 1944. | |
History | |
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United States | |
Name | LST-39 |
Builder | Dravo Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
Laid down | 23 April 1943 |
Launched | 29 July 1943 |
Commissioned |
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Stricken | 18 July 1944 |
Identification |
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Fate | Sunk, 21 May 1944, later refloated |
United States | |
Name | YF-1079 |
Out of service | c. July 1945 – January 1946 |
Reclassified | Spare Parts Issue Barge |
Stricken | 25 February 1946 |
Identification | Hull symbol: YF-1079 |
Fate | Destroyed, 1946 |
General characteristics | |
Type | LST-1-class tank landing ship |
Displacement |
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Length | 328 ft (100 m) oa |
Beam | 50 ft (15 m) |
Draft |
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Installed power |
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Propulsion |
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Speed | 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph) |
Range | 24,000 nmi (44,000 km; 28,000 mi) at 9 kn (17 km/h; 10 mph) while displacing 3,960 long tons (4,024 t) |
Boats & landing craft carried | 2 or 6 x LCVPs |
Capacity |
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Troops | 16 officers, 147 enlisted men |
Complement | 13 officers, 104 enlisted men |
Armament |
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Service record | |
Awards: |
Construction
LST-39 was laid down on 23 April 1943, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by the Dravo Corporation; launched on 29 July 1943; sponsored by Mrs. L. A. Mertz; and commissioned on 8 September 1943.[2]
Service history
During World War II, LST-39 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater, but saw no combat action.[2] She sank 21 May 1944, as part of the West Loch disaster and she was struck from the Navy list on 18 July 1944.
She was later refloated, converted to a spare parts issue barge, and redesignated YF-1079.[2] In early October 1945, YF-1079 was in Buckner Bay, when Typhoon Louise passed over. She was one of over 200 US military vessels to be grounded or severely damaged. During the storm she was struck by another ship, severely damaging her starboard side. She was again struck from the Navy list 25 February 1946, and destroyed August 1946.
References
Bibliography
- "LST-39". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- "USS LST-39". NavSource Online. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- Photo gallery of USS LST-39 at NavSource Naval History