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USS LST-380

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LST-380
LST-380 loading on 1 June 1944, alongside other ships
History
United States
NameUSS LST-380
BuilderBethlehem Steel Company, Quincy, Massachusetts
Laid down10 December 1942
Launched10 February 1943
Commissioned15 February 1943
Decommissioned7 June 1946
Stricken19 July 1946
Honours and
awards
3 battle stars (WWII)
Fate
  • Loaned to UK, 20 November 1944
  • Returned, 11 April 1946
  • Sold, 7 June 1946, lost 25 August 1958
Royal Navy EnsignUnited Kingdom
NameHM LST-380
Acquired20 November 1944
Commissioned20 November 1944
FateReturned to US Navy, April 1946
General characteristics
Class and typeLST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement
  • 1,625 long tons (1,651 t) light
  • 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full
Length328 ft (100 m)
Beam50 ft (15 m)
Draft
  • Light :
  • 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) forward
  • 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) aft
  • Sea-going :
  • 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m) forward
  • 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
  • Landing :
  • 3 ft 11 in (1.19 m) forward
  • 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) aft
Propulsion2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Range24,000 nmi (44,000 km) at 9 kn (17 km/h; 10 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried
2 × LCVPs
Troops163
Complement111
Armament
  • 2 × twin 40 mm gun mounts w/Mk.51 directors
  • 4 × single 40 mm gun mounts
  • 12 × single 20 mm gun mounts

USS LST-380 was a LST-1-class tank landing ship of the United States Navy during World War II, later loaned to the Royal Navy.

LST-380 was laid down on 10 December 1942 at Quincy, Massachusetts, by the Bethlehem Steel Company; launched on 10 February 1943; sponsored by Mrs. D. J. Callahan; and commissioned on 15 February 1943.

During World War II, LST-380 was assigned to the European theater and participated in the following operations:

LST-380 was transferred to the United Kingdom on 20 November 1944 and returned to United States Navy custody on 11 April 1946. On 7 June 1946, the tank landing ship was sold to the United States Military Government, Korea, and struck from the Navy list on 19 July 1946.

LST-380 earned three battle stars for World War II service.

M/V Salvage Chief

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In 1948, Fred Devine of Portland, Oregon purchased the ex-LST-380 to convert it for shallow-water salvage work.[1] The bow doors were welded shut, extra anchor winches and anchors were added, and a helipad built on the aft deck. Renamed Salvage Chief and based in Astoria, Oregon, the ship assisted in rescue and recovery operations along the Pacific Coast from 1949 to 2015. Notable salvage operations included the SS Yorkmar in 1952, the SS Sansinena in 1976, and the Exxon Valdez in 1989.[1] In 2016, the ship was sold to Salvage Chief LLC and remains in Astoria for training.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Salute to M/V Salvage Chief" (PDF). National Maritime Historical Society. 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Salvage Chief could get new life after a disaster". The Daily Astorian. 6 February 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
[edit]
  • [1], Famed West Coast Salvage Vessel May Sail Again