USS Stone County (LST-1141)
LST-542 Class Tank Landing Ship:
Laid down, 22 January 1945, at Chicago Bridge and Iron Co., Seneca, IL.
Launched, 18 April 1945
Commissioned, USS LST-1141, 9 May 1945, LT. E. M. Biggs, USNR, in command
During World War II USS LST-1141 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater
Following World War II USS LST-1141 was assigned to Occupation and China service in the Far East.
Decommissioned, 24 August, 1949, at San Diego, CA.
Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group
Recommissioned, 3 November 1950, at San Diego
During the Korean War USS LST-1141 participated in some campaigns.
Named USS Stone County (LST-1141), 1 July 1955
During the Vietnam War USS Stone County participated also.
Decommissioned, May 1970 at Apra, Guam
Transferred under lease to Thailand, 12 March 1970, renamed HTMS Lanta (LST-4)
Sold outright to Thailand under the Security Assistance Program, 15 August 1973
Struck from the Naval Register, 15 August 1973
Hull number changed from LST-4 to LST-714, date unknown
Decommissioned by the Royal Thai Navy, date unknown
USS Stone County earned four battle stars for Korean War service and five campaign stars for Vietnam War service
Specifications:
Displacement
1,625 t.(lt)
4,080 t.(fl) (sea-going draft w/1675 ton load)
2,366 t. (beaching displacement)
Length 328' o.a.
Beam 50'
Draft
light 2' 4" fwd, 7' 6" aft
sea-going 8' 3" fwd, 14' 1" aft
landing 3' 11" fwd, 9' 10" aft (landing w/500 ton load)
limiting 11' 2"
maximum navigation 14' 1"
Speed 11.6 kts. (trial)
Endurance 24,000 miles @ 9kts. while displacing 3960 tons
Complement
13 officers
104 enlisted
Troop Accommodations
16 officers
147 enlisted
Boats 2 LCVP
Cargo Capacity (varied with mission - payloads between 1600 and 1900 tons)
Typical loads
One Landing Craft Tank (LCT), tanks, wheeled and tracked vehicles, artillery, construction equipment and military supplies. A ramp or elevator forward allowed vehicles access to tank deck from main deck
Additional capacity included sectional pontoons carried on each side of vessel amidships, to either build Rhino Barges or use as causeways. Married to the bow ramp, the causeways would enabled payloads to be delivered ashore from deeper water or where a beachhead would not allow the vessel to be grounded forward after ballasting
Armament (varied with availability when each vessel was outfitted. Retro-fitting was accomplished throughout WWII. The ultimate armament design for United States vessels was
2 - Twin 40MM gun mounts w/Mk. 51 directors
4 - Single 40MM gun mounts
12 single 20MM gun mounts
Fuel Capacity
Diesel 4,300 Bbls
Propulsion
two General Motors 12-567A, 900hp Diesel engines
single Falk Main Reduction Gears
three Diesel-drive 100Kw 230V D.C. Ship's Service Generators
two propellers, 1,700shp
twin rudders
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