USS LST-3

Summary

USS LST-3 was an LST-1-class tank landing ship of the United States Navy built during World War II. She was transferred to the Royal Navy in December 1944. Like many of her class, she was not named and is properly referred to by her hull designation.

USS LST-3 beached in southern France in September 1944. The additional davits for LCVPs are evident at the bow of the ship and near the original pair at the stern.
History
United States
NameLST-3
BuilderDravo Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Laid down29 June 1942
Launched19 September 1942
Sponsored byMrs. A.C. Harlow
Commissioned8 February 1943
Decommissioned23 December 1944
Identification
Honors and
awards
2 × battle stars
FateTransferred to the Royal Navy
United Kingdom
NameLST-3
Commissioned24 December 1944
Decommissioned12 May 1946
FateReturned to US Naval custody, 12 May 1946
United States
Acquired12 May 1946
Stricken19 June 1946
FateSold for scrapping, 10 September 1947
General characteristics [1]
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
6 × LCVP
Capacity
  • 2,100 tons oceangoing maximum
  • 350 tons main deckload
Troops163
Complement117
Armament
Service record
Operations:

Construction edit

LST-3 was laid down on 29 June 1942, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by the Dravo Corporation; launched on 19 September 1942; sponsored by Mrs. A.C. Harlow; and commissioned on 8 February 1943,.[2][1]

USN service history edit

LST-3 was assigned to the Mediterranean Theatre and participated in the following operations: the Allied invasion of Sicily in July and August 1943; and the Invasion of southern France from August to September 1944.[2]

Royal Navy service edit

LST-3 was decommissioned from the USN on 23 December 1944, in Bizerte, Tunisia, and commissioned into the Royal Navy the next day. She operated in the Mediterranean. She was returned to the United States April 1946, by a Royal Navy crew and turned back over to USN custody 12 May 1946.[1]

Final disposition edit

LST-3 was struck from the Navy list on 19 June 1946. On 10 September 1947, she was sold to the Boston Metals Co., of Baltimore, Maryland, for scrapping.[2]

Awards edit

LST-3 earned two battle stars for World War II service.[2]

References edit

Bibliography edit

  • "LST-3". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 11 August 2017.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  • "LST-3". Navsource. Navsource.org. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2017.

External links edit

  • Photo gallery of USS LST-3 at NavSource Naval History