Definition
USS LST‑993 was a United States Navy tank landing ship (LST) of the LST‑542 class that saw active service during World War II.
Overview
The vessel was constructed as part of the massive wartime shipbuilding program that produced over a thousand LSTs for amphibious operations. After commissioning, LST‑993 participated in the Pacific Theater, transporting vehicles, troops, and supplies to combat zones. Following the end of hostilities, the ship was decommissioned in the mid‑1940s and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register.
Etymology/Origin
The designation “USS” (United States Ship) is the standard prefix for commissioned vessels of the U.S. Navy. “LST” stands for “Landing Ship, Tank,” a class of ships specifically designed to carry tanks, vehicles, cargo, and troops directly onto unimproved shorelines. The hull number “993” identifies the vessel within the sequential numbering system used for this class.
Characteristics
- Class & Type: LST‑542‑class tank landing ship
- Displacement: Approximately 1,625 tons (light) and 4,080 tons (full load)
- Dimensions: Length ≈ 328 ft (100 m); Beam ≈ 50 ft (15 m); Draft ≈ 2.4 ft (0.73 m) forward, 9.9 ft (3 m) aft (light)
- Propulsion: Two General Motors 12‑567 diesel engines, twin shafts, delivering about 1,700 bhp
- Speed: Maximum 12 knots (22 km/h)
- Complement: Approximately 100–115 officers and enlisted personnel
- Armament (typical for class): One 3"/50 caliber gun, two 40 mm anti‑aircraft guns, and several 20 mm AA guns (exact fit for LST‑993 not definitively documented)
- Cargo Capacity: Up to 20 M4 Sherman tanks, or equivalent combinations of vehicles and equipment; could also carry several hundred troops
Related Topics
- LST‑542 class: The subclass of LSTs to which LST‑993 belonged, featuring improved habitability and defensive armament over earlier LST designs.
- Amphibious warfare vessels: Ship types employed by navies to conduct beach landings, including LSTs, LPDs (amphibious transport docks), and LHDs (amphibious assault ships).
- Pacific Theater of World War II: The operational area where LST‑993 was deployed, encompassing campaigns such as the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
- United States Navy ship naming and numbering conventions: The system by which hull classification symbols and sequential numbers are assigned to naval vessels.