USS_LST-353 Knowpia

	LST-353 unloading in the Solomons, June 1943
History
United States
Name	USS LST-353
Builder	Charleston Navy Yard
Laid down	15 July 1942
Launched	12 October 1942
Commissioned	27 November 1942
Stricken	18 July 1944
Honours and; awards	3 battle stars and Navy Unit Commendation (WWII)
Fate	Sunk, 21 May 1944
General characteristics
Class and type	LST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement	1,780 long tons (1,809 t) light; 3,880 long tons (3,942 t) full;
Length	328 ft (100 m)
Beam	50 ft (15 m)
Draft	Unloaded:; Bow: 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m); Stern: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m); Loaded :; Bow: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m); Stern: 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m);
Depth	8 ft (2.4 m) forward; 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m) aft (full load);
Propulsion	2 General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed	12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing ; craft carried	Two or six LCVPs
Troops	approx. 140 officers and enlisted
Complement	8-10 officers, 100-115 enlisted
Armament	5 × 40 mm gun mounts; 6 × 20 mm gun mounts; 2 × .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns; 4 × .30 cal (7.62 mm) machine guns;

21°21′25.83″N 157°59′49.98″W / 21.3571750°N 157.9972167°W / 21.3571750; -157.9972167

USS LST-353 was an LST-1-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. It was destroyed on 21 May 1944 when an explosion on its deck sparked the West Loch Disaster in Pearl Harbor naval base.

Construction and service edit

LST-353 was laid down on 15 July 1942 at the Charleston Navy Yard; launched on 12 October 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Estelle Lynette Cushman; and commissioned on 27 November 1942. During World War II, LST-353 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations: the consolidation of the southern Solomons (June, 1943); the New Georgia-Rendova-Vangunu occupation (July, 1943); the Vella Lavella occupation (August, 1943); and the occupation and defense of Cape Torokina (November, 1943).

Loss edit

On 21 May 1944 she was sunk by internal explosion while moored in West Loch at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 18 July 1944.

Five other LSTs were so damaged from the fire caused by the explosion that they too sank, including LST-43, LST-69, LST-179, and LST-480. Two others were severely damaged. In all 163 sailors were killed; 396 wounded.^[1]

LST-353 earned three battle stars and the Navy Unit Commendation for World War II service.

References edit

^ "West Loch Disaster".

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

"LST-353". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Retrieved 25 June 2007.
"LST-353". Amphibious Photo Archive. Retrieved 25 June 2007.

[1] "West Loch Disaster".

[1]

Summary

Construction and service edit

Loss edit

See also edit

References edit