 Overhead view of the burning hulk of USS LST-480, in the West Loch, Pearl Harbor, 22 May 1944. The yard craft with her bow on the bow of LST-480 appears to be an LCM, while the ship at her stern is USCGC Woodbine. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | LST-480 |
| Ordered | as a Type S3-M-K2 hull, MCE hull 1000[1] |
| Builder | Permanente Metals Corporation, Richmond, California |
| Yard number | 35[1] |
| Laid down | 31 August 1942 |
| Launched | 29 October 1942 |
| Commissioned | 3 May 1943 |
| Out of service | 21 May 1944 |
| Stricken |
|
| Identification |
|
| Honors and awards |  2 × battle stars |
| Fate | Sunk by accidental explosion of ammunition 21 May 1944 |
| General characteristics [2] | |
| Class and type | LST-1-class tank landing ship |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 328 ft (100 m) oa |
| Beam | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Draft |
|
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| 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 |
|
| Troops | 16officers, 147 enlisted men |
| Complement | 13 officers, 104 enlisted men |
| Armament |
|
| Service record | |
| Operations: |
|
| Awards: | |
USS LST-480 was an LST-1-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy used in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II.
LST-480 was laid down on 31 August 1942, under Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 1000, by Kaiser Shipyards, Yard No. 4, Richmond, California; launched on 29 October 1942; and commissioned on 3 May 1943.[1][3][2]
During World War II, LST-480 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations:
On 21 May 1944, LST-480 and at least 28 to 33 other LSTs were gathered near Waipio peninsula, in Pearl Harbors West Loch, loading ammunition and supplies in preparation for the invasion of Saipan.[4][5]
At 15:08, an explosion onboard LST-353, which may have originated near LCT-963, caused a chain reaction that would eventually sink LST-480, LST-353, and four other LSTs. At least two other LSTs were severely damaged and 163 sailors were killed with another 396 wounded.[4][5]
While the other ships were removed and sunk at sea,[5] the wreck of LST-480 can still be seen in the West Loch.[6] 21°21′26″N 157°59′50″W / 21.35725°N 157.9972°W / 21.35725; -157.9972
LST-480 earned two battle stars for World War II service.[3]
Online resources
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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MARCOM ships built by Kaiser Shipyards, Richmond Shipyards, Richmond, California during World War II
| |
|---|---|
| Crater-class cargo ships Type EC2-S-C1 ships |
|
| Type EC2-S-C1 ships Liberty Ships |
|
| Boulder Victory-class cargo ships Type VC2-S-AP2 ships |
|
| Type VC2-S-AP2 ships Victory Ships |
|
| Greenville Victory-class cargo ship VC2-S-AP3 ship |
|
| Norwalk-class cargo ship Type VC2-S-AP3 cargo ship |
|
| Type VC2-S-AP3 cargo ships |
|
| Haskell-class attack transports Type VC2-S-AP5 ships |
|
| General G. O. Squier-class transport ships Type C4-S-A1 ships |
|
| Marine Adder-class transport ship Type C4-S-A3 ship |
|
| Type C4-S-A3 ships |
|
| Type C4-S-A4 ships |
|
| LST-1-class tank landing ships Type S3-M-K2 ships |
|
| Achelous-class repair ships Type S2-S2-AQ1 ships |
|
| Tacoma-class patrol frigates Type S2-S2-AQ1 ships |
|
| Alamosa-class cargo ships Type C1-M-AV1 ships |
|
| Miscellaneous Auxiliary Type C1-M-AV1 ships |
|
| Type C1-M-AV1 ships |
|
