USS LSM-149

Summary

USS LSM-149 was a LSM-1-class landing ship medium built for the U.S. Navy in World War II. Like most ships of her class, she was not named and known only by her designation.

History
United States
NameUSS LSM-149
BuilderCharleston Navy Yard
Laid down4 May 1944
Launched27 May 1944
Commissioned8 July 1944
FateDamaged, 5 December or 14 December 1944; Declared total loss
Decommissioned15 April 1945
General characteristics
Class and typeLSM-1-class landing ship medium
Displacement
  • 520 t.(light)
  • 743 t. (landing)
  • 1,095 t.(fully loaded)
Length203 ft 6 in (62.0 m)
Beam34 ft 6 in (10.52 m)
Draft
  • 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m) fwd, 7 ft 8 in (2.34 m) aft
  • Fully loaded:
  • 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) fwd, 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m) aft
Propulsion
  • 2 General Motors (non-reversible with airflex clutch) diesels
  • Direct drive with 1,440 BHP each @ 720rpm
  • twin screws
Speed13.2 knots (24.4 km/h) (max.), (928 tons displacement)
Endurance
  • 4,900 miles @ 12 knots, (928 tons displacement)
  • (7,900 km @ 22 km/h)
Capacity5 medium or 3 heavy tanks, or 6 LVT's, or 9 DUKW's
Troops2 officers, 46 enlisted
Complement5 officers, 54 enlisted
Armament5 × 20 mm AA guns
Armor10-lb. STS splinter shield to gun mounts, pilot house and conning station

LSM-149 was laid down at the Charleston Navy Yard on 4 May 1944, and was launched 27 May 1944. She was commissioned along with sister ship USS LSM-148 on 8 July 1944 by Rear Admiral Jules James.[1]

Assigned to the Pacific Theatre, LSM-149 was damaged and breached while attempting to recover a barge in heavy surf off Sansapor, New Guinea on 30–31 July 1944. LSM-149 was grounded off the Philippines on 5 December 1944. (According to the United States Navy this happened on 14 December 1944, but her fate has also been reported as on 5 December 1944.) She was declared a total loss, and decommissioned on 15 April 1945.

References edit

  1. ^ Priolo, Gary P. (2004-05-28). "USS LSM-148 and USS LSM-149 Christening". NavSource Online. NavSource Naval History. Retrieved 2007-12-06.
  • Priolo, Gary P. (2004-05-28). "LSM-149". NavSource Online. NavSource Naval History. Retrieved 2007-12-06.