USS York County
USS York County (LST-1175). Like earlier LSTs, these ships were often used to transport cargo; a cargo hatch at the after end of the upper deck is served by two heavy booms.
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History | |
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United States | |
Name | USS York County |
Namesake | |
Builder | Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company, Newport News, Virginia |
Laid down | 4 June 1956 |
Launched | 5 March 1957 |
Commissioned | 8 November 1957 |
Decommissioned | 17 July 1972 |
Stricken | 5 August 1992 |
Fate | Transferred to the Italian Navy, 1972 |
Italy | |
Name | Caorle (L 9891) |
Acquired | 1972 |
Fate | Sold for scrapping |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | tank landing ship |
Displacement |
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Length | 445 ft (136 m) |
Beam | 62 ft (19 m) |
Draft | 16 ft 8 in (5.08 m) |
Propulsion | 6 × Nordberg diesel engines, two shafts, controllable pitch propellers |
Speed | 17.5 knots (32.4 km/h; 20.1 mph) |
Boats & landing craft carried | 4 LCVPs |
Capacity |
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Troops | 575 officers and enlisted men |
Complement | 10 officers and 162 enlisted men |
Armament | 3 × twin 3-inch/50-caliber gun mounts |
USS York County (LST-1175) was a
York County was designed under project SCB 119 and laid down on 4 June 1956 at Newport News, Virginia by Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company; launched on 5 March 1957; sponsored by Mrs. William C. France; and commissioned on 8 November 1957.
Service history
1957–1959
The new tank landing ship was fitted out and underwent ready-for-sea trials at
1960–1962
She next departed the east coast of the United States on 11 January 1960 for her second Mediterranean deployment. Following her arrival back at her home port on 15 June, York County participated in "Tralex 1–60" and "Lantphibex 500/61" in the area of Vieques, Puerto Rico. In July, she proceeded to Baltimore for an overhaul by the Maryland Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. Upon emerging from the yard, the ship conducted refresher training before deploying to the Caribbean towards the end of November for training operations with other amphibious ships. She returned to Little Creek on 19 January 1961. The next major exercise, "SoLant Amity III," started on 17 April and took York County 27,000 miles in an effort to establish greater understanding between the peoples of the United States and southern Africa. The ship cruised along both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coasts of Africa and visited 12 ports in 10 countries and received some 23,000 visitors.
After a short midshipman cruise in early November 1961, York County headed for the Caribbean where she participated in Exercise "Phiblex 4–61" before returning to Little Creek in January 1962 for leave and upkeep. On 26 February, she conducted a two-week reserve cruise off the coast of Florida. On 15 May, York County sailed for the Mediterranean where she conducted practice and demonstration landings and participated in the Navy's "People to People" program. York County returned home on 19 October and made a one-day turnaround to take part in the Cuban blockade. It was not until 5 December 1962 that the ship finally returned to the Hampton Roads area for leave and upkeep, followed by a four-month yard and drydock period at Jacksonville, Florida, and six weeks of selected underway training exercises.
1963–1965
In July 1963, York County revisited the Caribbean and transported the highly publicized Puerto Rican National Guard from
For the early part of 1964, York County worked at Vieques, Puerto Rico, and Onslow Beach, N.C. She took part in the Naval Academy's Memorial Day ceremonies at Annapolis, Maryland. During June and July, York County received alterations at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. On 13 August, the ship lifted the 3rd Marine Light Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion to Vieques and reembarked the unit on 17 September for the return passage. Ten days later, she returned to Little Creek and commenced preparations for an overseas exercise. On 7 October 1964, York County got underway to join in Operation "Steel Pike I," the largest joint amphibious operation held since World War II. The ship returned home on 28 November 1964 and operated locally into the following spring. On 30 April 1965, York County sailed for the Dominican Republic and transported marines and equipment to Bajos de Haina. She conducted surveillance duties during the crisis in that nation before returning to Norfolk on 7 June and remaining in the Virginia Capes-Hampton Roads area for most of the summer. From September until December 1965, York County was deployed to the Caribbean and participated in numerous amphibious assault exercises and a major fleet exercise, "Phibaswex/Meblex 2–65."
1966–1967
York County was in her home port from 1 January 1966 until 24 January for leave and upkeep. She transported general cargo to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, then embarked marines and equipment for delivery to
During August, York County supported LVT training for Marine Corps reservists and provided control ship duty for drones. She spent September and October in restricted availability and on standby duty, ready to support NASA operations. On 31 October, York County got underway for the middle Atlantic where she served as a recovery ship for the Apollo 4 space shot. On 15 December 1967, the ship underwent tender availability which lasted through the end of the year.
1968–1970
On 17 January 1968, York County got underway from Little Creek; stopped briefly at
On 25 October 1968, York County got underway for a deployment to the Caribbean which lasted into February 1969. She returned to Little Creek on the 19th of that month and began a period in port which lasted into May. On 12 May, the ship began another brief Caribbean cruise to take part in Exercise "Exotic Dancer." After stops at Ponce and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and St. Croix, Virgin Islands, she participated in a simulated blockade in her part of the exercise. She returned home via San Juan, Roosevelt Roads, and Ponce, Puerto Rico, and reached Little Creek on 9 June. But for a special amphibious exercise at Onslow Beach, N.C., from the 23rd to the 28th, the ship spent the remainder of June and most of July at Little Creek. On 22 July, York County departed Little Creek; crossed the Atlantic; and joined the Mediterranean Ready Amphibious Force. After making several successful landings throughout the Mediterranean and enjoying liberty in many ports, York County returned to Little Creek on 12 December 1969. York County entered Norfolk Shipbuilding and Drydock Company's yard on 20 January 1970 for an overhaul. By 10 August, the ship was ready for sea. she conducted various exercises in the
1971–1972
On 18 January 1971, the ship got underway for Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, to participate in the "Firex" exercises. She continued to operate in the Caribbean until 22 February when she arrived at Miami for two days of liberty. the ship returned to Little Creek on 27 February and immediately went alongside USS Amphion (AR-13) for tender availability which lasted until 17 March. After completing fire-fighting training in Philadelphia, York County remained at Little Creek until 25 April except for loading ammunition and gasoline at Craney Island, Virginia. During this time, the crew prepared the ship for Exercise "Exotic Dancer," which commenced on 26 April and lasted through 14 May 1971. Upon her return home, York County operated in the Virginia coastal area and got ready for a month-long cruise in the Caribbean. York County returned to Virginia on 6 August for tender availability followed by type training exercises. On 9 September, the ship was again deployed to the Caribbean and returned to Little Creek on 28 October where she spent the rest of 1971.
She spent January 1972 preparing for an upcoming Caribbean and eastern Pacific cruise. On the last day of the month, York County got underway for the
Decommissioning and transfer
York County was decommissioned on 17 July 1972 and transferred to the Italian government. She served the
See also
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
- "LST-1175 York County". Amphibious Photo Archive. Retrieved 3 July 2007.