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| THE NEWER VERSION OF LST They attempted to use some of the features of a proven ship like the LSD (Landing Ship Dock) which had a stern opening. This allowed the disembarking of small craft or amphibious tanks while at sea. It was also built with a landing for helicopters. This new design had the feature of a pointed bow, allowing for much more speed than ealier LST's, especially with the larger propulsion engines. It could still beach close enough to send it's over 100 foot ramp out to the beachhead, where vehicles and tanks could disembark directly from the ship onto the beach. It was, in my opinion, another line of ugly ducklin's. I have never had the pleasure of getting any information concerning how well the systems worked on these newer versions. The concept of the design was inovative. Although the United States does not have any more of these in its fleets, it is in use in some forign countries. (ccb) |
| USS FREDERICK LST 1184 The last of the USN LST's |
| LST 1184 WITH BOW RAMP EXTENDED |
| STERN VIEW WHICH OPENS AND LOWERS INTO THE WATERS FOR DISEMBARKING |
| LSD 49 The type of ship from which the new LSTs and even newer Amphibious Assualt ships were designed |
| LST WITH STERN OPEN AND LOWERED FOR DISEMBARKING AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLES |
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| "Then and Now" or what's this "Amphibious" Navy coming to?? You can visit the home page of the ship at |
| Here is the New Amphibious Assualt Navy ship USS San Antonio LPD 17 shown during the New York Memorial Day Navy Fleet Week. Photos furnish by Ken Frank |
| This is the inside of the "Launching Area". These Amtracks are launched from a rear opening and make their way to the beachhead on their own. Previously LSTs ran right up on the beachhead and debarked vehicles, men, and equipment... even railroad cars on tracks rolled off the LST onto the beach. With the new helicopters capable of carrying heavy loads for long distances, some items normaly delivered by LSTs are delivered otherwise. Photo furnished by Ken Frank |
| This is the bow of the amphibious assualt ship USS Shreveport LPD 12, a smaller version. On the stern there is a landing pad where helicopters are able to land and take off in support of the Amtracks or for any needed supplies. Photo by Ken Frank |
| After vistiting these ships and looking over these modern vessels, Ken Frank, who took these photos, reminded me that "The LST is still the largest ship ever built to hit the beaches to land troops and vehicles directly on the beachhead." He's right. For a small ship it turned out to be very large in it's own right and in the winning of WWII in Europe and the Pacific. (ccb) |
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