LST-58 was constructed on 31 October 1943 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by the Dravo Corporation. It was launched on 11 December 1943 and sponsored by Mrs. L. H. Crawford. The ship was commissioned on 22 January 1944.
USS LST-58 was sent to the European theatre during World War II and took part in the Normandy invasion from June 6th to June 25th, 1944. The ship was taken out of service on 7 November 1945 and officially removed from the Navy’s records on 28 November 1945. She was purchased by the Northern Metals Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 30, 1947, and later dismantled for scrap.
USS LST-58 was awarded a single battle star in recognition of its service during World War II.
Specifications:
Displacement:
1,625 t.(lt)
4,080 t.(fl) (sea-going draft w/1675 ton load)
2,366 t. (beaching displacement)
Endurance: 24,000 miles @ 9kts. while displacing 3960 tons
Complement:
13 officers
104 enlisted
Troop Accommodations:
16 officers
147 enlisted
Boats: 6 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 x Twin 40MM gun mounts w/Mk. 51 directors
4 x Single 40MM gun mounts
12 x 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
History
LST-1 Class Tank Landing Ship (Mk 1):
Laid Down: 31st October 1943, at Dravo Corp., Neville Island, PA.
Launched: 11th December 1943.
Commissioned: USS LST-58, 22 January 1944, LT. John E. Wachter, USNR, in command.
During World War II: USS LST-58 was assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater and participated in the Invasion of Normandy, from 6th to 25th June 1944.
Action:
Decommissioned: 7th November 1945.
Final Disposition: Sold for scrapping, 30th November 1947, to Northern Metals Co., Philadelphia, PA.
Commendations: USS LST-58 earned one battle star for World War II service.
Commanding Officer(s)
LT. Wachter, John E., USNR 22 January 1944 – 1945
LT. Freeman, Eugene Flavius, USNR 1945 – 7 November 1945
