USS LST-473 was a United States Navy LST-1-class tank landing ship used in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II. As with many of her class, the ship was never named. Instead, she was referred to by her hull designation.

USS LST-473, coming alongside while underway in the Southwest Pacific, date unknown.
History
United States
NameLST-473
Orderedas a Type S3-M-K2 hull, MCE hull 993[1]
BuilderKaiser Shipbuilding Company, Vancouver, Washington
Yard number177[1]
Laid down10 July 1942
Launched9 December 1942
Commissioned16 March 1943
Decommissioned18 March 1946
Stricken17 April 1946
Identification
Honors and
awards
5 × battle stars
FateSold for scrapping, 21 April 1948
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 7
Operations:
Awards:

Construction

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LST-473 was laid down on 10 July 1942, under Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 993, by Kaiser Shipyards, Vancouver, Washington; launched 9 December 1942; and commissioned on 16 March 1943.[1][3]

Service history

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During World War II, LST-473 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations: the Lae occupation in September 1943; the Leyte operation in October 1944; the Lingayen Gulf landings in January 1945; the Zambales-Subic Bay operation in January 1945; and the Mindanao Island landings in March 1945.[3]

LST-473 returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 18 March 1946. She was struck from the Navy list on 17 April, that same year. On 21 April 1948, the tank landing ship was sold to Hughes Bros., Inc., New York City, and subsequently scrapped.[3]

Honors and awards

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LST-473 earned five battle stars for her service in World War II.[3]

See also

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Notes

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Citations

Bibliography

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Online resources

  • "LST-473". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 13 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 13 April 2017.
  • "USS LST-473". Navsource.org. 31 October 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
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