The LSD's of the US NAVY
What is an LSD? Simply put, LSD stands for Landing Ship, Dock
This is a type of ship that was conceived during World War 2 as a ship that could sail to the site of an amphibious landing, carry and launch assault boats directly from a well-deck in the rear of the vessel. To do this, the ship floods several tanks in the stern (rear) of the ship and ballasts the ship down, this floods the deck, and allows the boats aboard to come and go...
The newest assault boats the Navy has are called LCAC's. That stands for Landing Craft Air Cushion. These are actually large hover-craft that can drive into the well deck even when not flooded. They can also drive up on to the beachhead to deliver troops upon it with dry feet, unlike the old days where they had to wade through the surf under fire. The LCAC's can even carry a couple of M-1 Abrams Tanks while riding on their cushion of air!
The navy has planned at one time or another to build 52 of these versatile ships and has actually finished 50 of them. They have even spawned a new type of ship based from the LSD, the LPD. A web page will be added in for those ships at a later date.
Here is a list of all of the LSD's and important dates that I know about, if you have any updated information, e-mail me at: ChrisV71@sbcglobal.net and tell me, I'll be sure to add it in.
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Last updated August 3, 2003
Latest
update:
General Updating of website. Updated Donner's status, and the status of the Anchorage class. Added recent picture of the Donner and the first pictures of the Catamount.
ALERT!!!
Help Save the USS Gage (APA-168)!
The Gage has been mothballed since 1947! and is the only surviving World War 2 Haskell class APA in original configuration. Not only that, she is in relatively good shape all things considered and can even be made operational with some elbow grease. There is a group trying to save this ship, however the Navy plans on using her next year for target practice. Please check out their website (www.apaproject.org) and sign the petition to help save this ship. This is a once in a lifetime shot to save an APA. All of the rest are gone or the few survivors have been severely altered.
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