USS LST-446 was a United States Navy LST-1-class tank landing ship used in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II.

USS LST-446, launching at Kaiser Shipyards, Vancouver, Washington, 18 September 1942. The pilothouse and smoke stack belong to the paddle-wheel tug at the LSTs stern.
History
United States
NameLST-446
Orderedas a Type S3-M-K2 hull, MCE hull 966[1]
BuilderKaiser Shipbuilding Company, Vancouver, Washington
Yard number150[1]
Laid down15 June 1942
Launched18 September 1942
Commissioned30 November 1942
Decommissioned13 July 1946
Identification
Honors and
awards
6 × battle stars
FateSold 10 February 1947
United States
OperatorSuwannee Fruit & Steamship Company, Jacksonville, Florida
Refitconverted to commercial service
Statusfate unknown
General characteristics [2]
Class and typeLST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement
  • 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full load
  • 2,160 long tons (2,190 t) landing
Length328 ft (100 m) oa
Beam50 ft (15 m)
Draft
  • Full load: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward; 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
  • Landing at 2,160 t: 3 ft 11 in (1.19 m) forward; 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) aft
Installed power
Propulsion
Speed12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Range24,000 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
  • 2,100 tons oceangoing maximum
  • 350 tons main deckload
Troops16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement13 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament
Service record
Part of: LST Flotilla 5
Operations:
Awards:

Construction

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LST-446 was laid down on 15 June 1942, under Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 966, by Kaiser Shipyards, Vancouver, Washington; launched on 18 September 1942; and commissioned on 30 November 1942.[1][3]

Service history

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During the war, LST-446 was assigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations. She took part in the consolidation of the southern Solomons from March through April 1943; the New Georgia Campaign which included the New Georgia-Rendova-Vangunu occupation in July and August 1943, and the Vella Lavella occupation in August 1943; the occupation and defense of Cape Torokina November and December 1943; the Green Islands landing February 1944; the assault and occupation of Guam July 1944; and the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto April 1945. [3]

Post-war service

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Following the war, LST-446 performed occupation duty in the Far East until mid-December 1945. Upon her return to the United States, the tank landing ship was decommissioned on 13 July 1946, and struck from the Navy list on 8 October 1946. On 10 February 1947, she was sold to the Suwannee Fruit & Steamship Co., of Jacksonville, Florida, for conversion to merchant service.[3]

Honors and awards

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LST-446 earned six battle stars for her World War II service.[3]

Notes

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Citations

Bibliography

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Online resources

  • "LST-446". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 1 April 2017.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  • "Kaiser Vancouver, Vancouver WA". www.ShipbuildingHistory.com. 27 November 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  • "USS LST-446". Navsource.org. 4 October 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
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