HM LST-422
History | |
---|---|
United Kingdom | |
Name | LST-422 |
Ordered | as a MCE hull 942[1] |
Builder | Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Baltimore , Maryland |
Yard number | 2192[1] |
Laid down | 12 November 1942 |
Launched | 10 December 1942 |
Commissioned | 4 February 1943 |
Stricken | 16 May 1944 |
Identification | Hull symbol: LST-422 |
Fate | Lost in action, 26 January 1944 |
General characteristics [2] | |
Class and type | tank landing ship |
Displacement |
|
Length | 328 ft (100 m) oa |
Beam | 50 ft (15 m) |
Draft |
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Installed power |
|
Propulsion |
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Speed | 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph) |
Range | 24,000 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 |
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Troops | 163 |
Complement | 117 |
Armament |
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HMS LST-422 was a
Construction
LST-422 was laid down on 12 November 1942, under
Service history
LST-422 saw no active service in the United States Navy. The tank landing ship was lost in action while in Royal Navy service 26 January 1944, when she struck a mine off Anzio, Italy.[3][4]
LST-422 was carrying the C and D Companies, and the Headquarters of the
LST-422 had arrived off of Anzio, around 01:00, after sailing through deteriorating weather and high, gale force, winds, and set anchor. With waves at 20 to 30 ft (6.1 to 9.1 m) and continued gale force winds, the LST was blown into a known mine field located around 12 mi (19 km) offshore. At 05:20 an explosion ripped open a 50 ft (15 m) hole in the bottom starboard side of the ship, between the main and auxiliary engine rooms, which immediately ignited the ship's fuel oil supply.[6]
The tank deck was the first to flood, with most of the men of the 83rd asleep on this deck over 400 men were unable to escape. The vehicles on the tank deck, which were fueled and loaded with ammunition, began to explode, which in turn ignited the gasoline that had been stored on the top deck. With all power lost, it was impossible to contact the engine room and with the fires it was impossible to reach the mess deck where the fire fighting suits and helmets were stored. The auxiliary fire foam motor had been damaged by flying shrapnel and could not be started.[6]
The order was given for the US Army personnel to abandon ship, however, only four life rafts were undamaged, so any floatable loose materials were thrown overboard to assist men that were already in the water.[6]
Lieutenant Commander Braodhurst, along with eight of his crew, finally abandoned ship at about 06:00. At 14:30 LST-422 broke in two and sank.[6]
She was struck from the Navy list on 16 May 1944.[3]
See also
Notes
- Citations
Bibliography
Online resources
- "LST-422". 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-422". Navsource.org. 16 January 2009. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "HMS LST-422". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
- Rhoads, George. "The Sinking of the LST-422". Retrieved 12 May 2017.
External links
- Photo gallery of LST-422 at NavSource Naval History