HM LST-426

Summary

HMS LST-426 was a United States Navy LST-1-class tank landing ship that was transferred to the Royal Navy during World War II. As with many of her class, the ship was never named. Instead, she was referred to by her hull designation.

HM LST-426 and other LSTs, mid-1943 at the dockside of Sousse Harbour, Tunisia. The ships are being loaded with vehicles and equipment in preparation for the invasion of Sicily.
History
United Kingdom
NameLST-426
Orderedas a Type S3-M-K2 hull, MCE hull 946[1]
BuilderBethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland
Yard number2198[1]
Laid down16 November 1942
Launched11 December 1942
Commissioned16 February 1943
Decommissioned23 April 1946
IdentificationHull symbol: LST-426
FateReturned to USN custody, 23 April 1946
United States
NameLST-426
Acquired23 April 1946
Stricken19 June 1946
FateSold for scrapping, 2 December 1947
General characteristics [2]
Class and typeLST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement
  • 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full load
  • 2,160 long tons (2,190 t) landing
Length328 ft (100 m) oa
Beam50 ft (15 m)
Draft
  • Full load: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward; 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
  • Landing at 2,160 t: 3 ft 11 in (1.19 m) forward; 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) aft
Installed power
Propulsion
Speed12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Range24,000 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
  • 2,100 tons oceangoing maximum
  • 350 tons main deckload
Troops163
Complement117
Armament

Construction edit

LST-426 was laid down on 16 November 1942, under Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 946, by the Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland; launched 11 December 1942; then transferred to the United Kingdom and commissioned on 16 February 1943.[3]

Service history edit

LST-426 saw no active service in the United States Navy. She was decommissioned and returned to United States Navy custody on 23 April 1946, and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 19 June 1946. On 2 December 1947, she was sold to N. Block & Co., Norfolk, Virginia, and subsequently scrapped.[3]

See also edit

Notes edit

Citations

Bibliography edit

Online resources

  • "LST-426". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 12 May 2017.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  • "Bethlehem-Fairfield, Baltimore MD". www.ShipbuildingHistory.com. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  • "USS LST-426". Navsource.org. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2017.

External links edit

  • Photo gallery of LST-426 at NavSource Naval History