USS LST-480
USS LST-480 burned out and grounded on Intrepid Point, West Loch, on 22 May 1944. Note the especially extensive damage to the LST's after part and to her starboard bow area. A pontoon causeway is floating along LST-480's starboard side, and the Coast Guard Cutter Woodbine (WAGL-289) is nosed in at her stern. Date 21 May 1944 | |
History | |
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Name: | USS LST-480 |
Builder: | Kaiser Cargo, Inc., Richmond, CA. |
Laid down: | 31 August 1942 |
Launched: | 29 October 1942 |
Commissioned: | 3 May 1943 |
Out of service: | 21 May 1944 |
Struck: | 18 July 1944 |
Honors and awards: | 2 battle stars |
Fate: | Sunk by accidental explosion of ammunition |
General characteristics | |
Class and type: | LST-1-class tank landing ship |
Displacement: |
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Length: | 328 ft (100 m) |
Beam: | 50 ft (15 m) |
Draft: |
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Depth: |
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Propulsion: | 2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders |
Speed: | 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) |
Boats & landing craft carried: | 2 or 6 LCVPs |
Troops: | Approximately 140 officers and enlisted men |
Complement: | 7-9 officers, 104-120 enlisted men |
Armament: |
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LST-480 was an LST-1-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II.
LST-480 was laid down on 31 August 1942 at Richmond, California by Kaiser Cargo, Inc.; launched on 29 October 1942 ; and commissioned on 3 May 1943.
It was sunk on 21 May 1944 when a series of explosions which began on LST-353, sparked the West Loch Disaster in Pearl Harbor naval base. The rusting partially beached hulk of LST-480 is the only visible remainder of the disaster.
World War II Pacific Theatre operations
During World War II, LST-480 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations:
- Gilbert Islands operation: Capture and occupation of Gilbert Islands, 13 November to 8 December 1943.
- Marshall Islands operation: Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls, 29 January to 8 February 1944.
Accident
On 21 May 1944 she was sunk by internal explosion onboard LST-353, 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]
The wreck can still be seen in West Loch [2]
LST-480 earned two battle stars for World War II service.
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to LST-480 (ship, 1943). |
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
- "LST-480". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
- "LST-480". Amphibious Photo Archive. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
- "LST-480". Amphibious Photo Archive. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
Coordinates: 21°21′26″N 157°59′50″W / 21.35725°N 157.9972°W
- ↑ "West Loch Disaster".
- ↑ "Memorial Day, 2009". The Boston Globe. 25 May 2009.