View source for Landing Ship, Tank

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{short description|Amphibious assault ship of World War II}}
[[File:LST Sicily.jpg|thumb| A [[Canada|Canadian]] LST off-loads an [[M4 Sherman]] during the [[Allied invasion of Sicily]] in 1943.]]

A '''Landing Ship, Tank''' ('''LST''') is a [[ship]] first developed during [[World War II]] (1939–1945) to support [[amphibious operation]]s by carrying [[tank]]s, vehicles, cargo, and [[landing troops]] directly onto a low-slope beach with no [[dock (maritime)|dock]]s or [[pier]]s. The shallow draft and bow doors and ramps enabled [[amphibious assault]]s on almost any beach.

The LST had a highly specialized design that enabled ocean crossings as well as shore groundings. The [[bow (ship)|bow]] had a large door that could open, deploy a [[ramp]] and unload vehicles. The LST had a [[Flat-bottomed boat|flat keel]] that allowed the ship to be [[beaching (nautical)|beached]] and stay upright. The twin [[propeller]]s and [[rudder]]s had protection from [[ship grounding|grounding]]. The LSTs served across the globe during World War II, including in the [[Pacific War]] and in the [[European theatre of World War II|European theater]].

The first tank landing ships were built to British requirements by converting existing ships; the UK and the US then collaborated upon a joint design. The British ships were used in late 1942 during the [[Operation Torch|Allied invasion of Algeria]]. In 1943, LSTs participated in the [[Allied invasion of Sicily|invasion of Sicily]] and [[Allied invasion of Italy|mainland Italy]]. In June 1944 they were part of the huge invasion fleet for the [[Normandy landings]].

Over 1,000 LSTs were laid down in the United States during World War II for use by the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]]; the United Kingdom and Canada produced eighty more.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://shipbuildinghistory.com/merchantships/2stypeships.htm |first= Tim |last= Colton |title= S-Type Special-Purpose Ships |date= 12 April 2008 |website= Shipbuilding History |access-date= 9 October 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180305222220/http://shipbuildinghistory.com/merchantships/2stypeships.htm |archive-date= 5 March 2018 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://appendix.usmaritimecommission.de/documents/costs%20on%20warbuilt%20vessels%201936%20to%201946.pdf |first= Frank A. |last= Gerhardt |title= Cost of War-Built Vessels, From Inception, From October 25, 1936 to June 30, 1946 |website= United States Maritime Commission 1936 Thru 1950 |access-date= 9 October 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161231074652/http://appendix.usmaritimecommission.de/documents/costs%20on%20warbuilt%20vessels%201936%20to%201946.pdf |archive-date= 31 December 2016 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 |url= http://www.pwencycl.kgbudge.com/L/s/LST.htm
 |title= LST Class, Allied Landing Ships
 |first= Kent G.
 |last= Budge
 |website= The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia
 |access-date= 9 October 2017
 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171019100734/http://pwencycl.kgbudge.com/L/s/LST.htm
 |archive-date= 19 October 2017
 |url-status= live
 }}</ref>

==LST Mk.1==
{{stack begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image= [[File:The Royal Navy during the Second World War HMS Bachaquero at Bone IWM A 15709.jpg|300px|HMS ''Bachaquero'']]
|Ship caption=[[Universal Carrier]]s being loaded at Bone Harbour through the bow doors of HMS ''Bachaquero''
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
|Name=LST ''Maracaibo'' class
|Builders=[[Furness Shipbuilding Company]], [[Haverton Hill-on-Tees]]
|Operators={{navy|United Kingdom}}
|Class before=
|Class after=''Boxer''
|Subclasses=
|Cost=
|Built range=
|In service range=
|In commission range=
|Total ships building=
|Total ships planned=
|Total ships completed=3 ({{HMS|Misoa|F117|2}}, {{HMS|Tasajera|F125|2}} & {{HMS|Bachaquero|F110|2}})
|Total ships cancelled=
|Total ships active=
|Total ships laid up=
|Total ships lost=
|Total ships retired=
|Total ships preserved=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship tonnage= 4890 [[Gross Register Tonnage|GRT]]
|Ship length= {{convert|382|ft|m|abbr=on}}{{sfnp|Lenton|Colledge|1968|p=577}}
|Ship beam= 64 ft (19.5m)
|Ship draught=*''Fully laden'':
*{{convert|15|ft|m|abbr=on}} aft
*{{convert|4|ft|m|abbr=on}} forward
|Ship depth=
|Ship hold depth=
|Ship decks=
|Ship deck clearance=
|Ship ramps=Double hinged ramp, effective length of 100 ft (30 m)
|Ship propulsion=Reciprocating steam engine, 2 shafts, 3,000 shp
|Ship speed=
|Ship range=
|Ship endurance=
|Ship boats=
|Ship capacity=18 × 30 ton tanks ''or'' 22 × 25 ton tanks ''or'' 33 × 3-ton trucks{{sfnp|Lenton|Colledge|1968|p=577}}
|Ship troops=Berths for 217 troops{{sfnp|Lenton|Colledge|1968|p=577}}
|Ship complement=98 [[Combined Operations Headquarters|Combined Operations]] personnel
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=*1 × twin 40 mm gun
*6 × 20 mm guns{{sfnp|Lenton|Colledge|1968|p=577}}
*3 × [[Lewis gun]]s
*2 × {{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on}} smoke mortars{{sfnp|Lenton|Colledge|1968|p=577}}
|Ship armour=
|Ship notes=Equipment: 2 × 50 ton derrick cranes
}}
|}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image= File:HMS Thruster FL9083.jpg
|Ship image size= 300
|image alt=
|Ship caption=HMS ''Thruster''
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
|Name=LST (1) ''Boxer'' class
|Builders=Harland and Wolff
|Operators={{navy|United Kingdom}}
|Class before=''Maracaibo''
|Class after=LST (2)
|Subclasses=
|Cost=
|Built range=
|In service range=
|In commission range=
|Total ships building=
|Total ships planned=
|Total ships completed=3 ({{HMS|Boxer|F121|2}}, {{HMS|Bruiser|F127|2}}, {{HMS|Thruster|F131|2}})
|Total ships cancelled=
|Total ships active=
|Total ships laid up=
|Total ships lost=
|Total ships retired=
|Total ships preserved=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship type=Landing Ship, Tank Mark I
|Ship tonnage=
|Ship displacement=*{{Convert|3620|LT|t|0|lk=on|abbr=on}} standard
*{{Convert|5410|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} full load
|Ship length={{Convert|400|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{Convert|49|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship height=
|Ship draught={{Convert|14|ft|6|in|abbr=on}}
|Ship depth=
|Ship hold depth=
|Ship ramps=
|Ship propulsion=Steam turbines, 2 shafts, {{Convert|7000|shp|abbr=on}}
|Ship speed=*{{Convert|18|kn|lk=on}} laden to beaching draught
*{{Convert|16.5|kn}} at deep
|Ship range={{Convert|9000|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{Convert|14|kn|abbr=on}}
|Ship endurance=
|Ship capacity=13 [[Churchill tank]]s ''or'' 20 medium tanks, 27 vehicles on upper deck, 193 men
|Ship troops=
|Ship complement=169
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=*4 × [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|QF 2 pdr]]
*8 × [[20 mm Oerlikon]]
*2 × 4-inch smoke mortars
|Ship armour=
|Ship notes=Equipment: 1 × 40 ton crane<ref>{{cite book |last=Bishop |first=Chris |title=The Encyclopedia of Weapons of WWII: The Comprehensive Guide |page=532 |location=London, UK |publisher=Amber Books |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-78274-167-1}}</ref>
}}
|}
{{stack end}}
===''Maracaibo'' landing ships===
The British [[Operation Dynamo|evacuation from Dunkirk]] in 1940 demonstrated to the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] that the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] needed relatively large, ocean-going ships that could handle shore-to-shore delivery of tanks and other vehicles in amphibious assaults upon the continent of Europe. As an interim measure, three 4,000 to 4,800-[[gross register ton]] "[[Lake tanker]]s", built to pass over the restrictive bars of [[Lake Maracaibo]], [[Venezuela]], were selected for conversion because of their shallow [[Draft (hull)|draft]]. [[Bow (ship)|Bow]] doors and ramps were added to these ships, which became the first tank landing ships, LST (1): {{HMS|Misoa|F117|6}}, {{HMS|Tasajera|F125|2}} and {{HMS|Bachaquero|F110|2}}.{{sfnp|Lenton|Colledge|1968|p=577}} They later proved their worth during the [[Operation Torch|invasion of Algeria]] in 1942, but their bluff bows made for inadequate speed and pointed out the need for an all-new design incorporating a sleeker [[Hull (watercraft)|hull]].

=== ''Boxer'' class ===
The ''Boxer'' class was the first purpose-built LST design. This work was started before any of the converted ''Maracaibo'' class were in service, so there was no opportunity to learn from the effectiveness of that design. The urgency in building the Boxers was that the Maracaibos were considered to be too slow for operational requirements. As events turned out, the LST(2) had the same slow speed of {{convert|10|kn}}, but given the much larger numbers of the LST(2), that had to be accepted.<ref name="Baker 1947a">{{cite book |last1=Baker |first1=Rowland |editor1-last=Duckworth |editor1-first=A. D. |title=Transactions of the Institution of Naval Architects |date=1947 |publisher=Institution of Naval Architects |location=London, England |chapter=Ships of the Invasion Fleet}}</ref>{{rp|61-64}}

The Boxer class was a scaled-down design from ideas penned by Prime Minister [[Winston Churchill]]. In order that it could carry 13 [[Churchill tank|Churchill]] [[infantry tank]]s, 27 other vehicles and nearly 200 men (in addition to the crew) at a speed of {{convert|18|kn}}, it could not have a shallow draught sufficient for easy unloading. As a result, each of the three ({{HMS|Boxer|F121|2}}, {{HMS|Bruiser|F127|2}}, and {{HMS|Thruster|F131|2}}) ordered in March 1941 had a very long ramp stowed behind the bow doors.{{sfnp|Brown|2000|pp=142–143}}

The ships were built at [[Harland & Wolff|Harland and Wolff]] from 1941 and the first completed early in 1943. Work was delayed by the complexities of an entirely new type of design and German air raids on Belfast.{{r|Baker 1947a|p=63}} ''Bruiser'' and ''Thruster'' took part in the [[Operation Avalanche|Salerno landings]]. Later all three were intended to be converted to [[Radar picket|fighter direction ships]] in order to have [[ground-controlled interception]] of enemy aircraft during landing operations but only ''Boxer'' was converted and it took part in the Normandy landings.<ref>Slee, Geoff. [https://www.combinedops.com/HMS%20THRUSTER.htm "HMS Thruster"]. ''Combined Operations''. Accessed 22 December 2024.</ref>

The U.S. were to build seven LST (1) but in light of the problems with the design and progress with the LST Mark II the plans were cancelled. Construction of the LST (1)s took until 1943 and the first US LST (2) was launched before them.{{sfnp|Rottman|2005|p=6}}

==LST Mk.2==
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = [[File:LST-942 underway in late 1944.jpg|300px|''LST-942'']]
| Ship caption = ''LST-942'' underway soon after completion, late in 1944
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = LST (2)
| Builders = *[[Dravo Corporation]]
*[[Kaiser Shipyards]]
*[[Jeffboat|Jeffersonville Boat & Machine Co.]]
*[[Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Co.]]
*[[Chicago Bridge & Iron Company|Chicago Bridge & Iron Co.]]
*[[American Bridge Company|American Bridge Co.]]
*[[Bethlehem Hingham Shipyard]]
*[[Boston Navy Yard]]
*[[Newport News Shipbuilding]]
| Operators = *{{naval|United States}}
*{{coast guard|United States|}}
*{{naval|United Kingdom}}
*{{naval|Canada|1911}}
*{{naval|Japan}}
*{{naval|Singapore}}
*{{naval|Philippines}}
*{{naval|Malaysia}}
*{{naval|Taiwan}}
*{{naval|China}}
*{{naval|Thailand}}
*{{naval|Vietnam}}
*{{naval|Greece}}
*{{naval|Germany}}
*{{naval|Argentina}}
*{{navy|Peru}}
*{{naval|Turkey}}
*{{naval|Indonesia}}
*{{navy|South Korea}}
*{{naval|Venezuela}}
*{{naval|Mexico}}
*{{naval|Italy}}
| Class before = 
| Class after = [[Talbot County-class tank landing ship|''Talbot County'' class]]
| Subclasses = *''LST-1'' class
*''LST-491'' class
*''LST-542'' class
| Cost = 
| Built range = 1942–1945
| In service range = 
| In commission range = 1942–1971 (US)
| Total ships building = 
| Total ships planned = 
| Total ships completed = 1052
| Total ships cancelled = 100
| Total ships active = *1 (Singapore)
*1 (Mexico)
*4 (Taiwan)
*2 (Vietnam)
*3 (Philippines)
*1 (US Maritime Sealift Command)
| Total ships laid up = 
| Total ships lost = 
| Total ships retired = 
| Total ships preserved = * {{USS|LST-325}}
* {{USS|LST-393}}
* {{USS|LST-510}}
* [[USS Pender County (LST-1080)|ROKS ''Hwa San'']]
* [[USS LST-1010|ROKS ''Un Bong'']]
* [[USS LST-849|ROKS ''Wi Bong'']]
* [[USS LST-1134|HTMS ''Pangan'']]
* [[USS Stone County (LST-1141)|HTMS ''Lanta'']]
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship displacement = *{{convert|1780|LT|t|0}} light
*{{convert|3880|LT|t|0}} full load
| Ship length = {{convert|327|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|50|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship height = 
| Ship draught = *''Unloaded'':
*{{convert|3|ft|4|in|m|abbr=on}} bow
*{{convert|7|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} stern
*''Loaded'' :
*{{convert|8|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on}} bow
*{{convert|14|ft|1|in|m|abbr=on}} stern
| Ship depth = 
| Ship hold depth = 
| Ship decks = 
| Ship deck clearance = 
| Ship ramps = 
| Ship propulsion = 2 × [[General Motors]] [[EMD 567|12-567]] [[diesel engine]]s, two shafts, twin rudders
| Ship speed = {{convert|12|kn|mph km/h|lk=in}}
| Ship range = 
| Ship endurance = 
| Ship boats = 2 to 6 [[LCVP (United States)|LCVP]]s
| Ship capacity = 
| Ship troops = About 140 officers and other ranks
| Ship complement = 8 to 10 officers, 100 to 115 enlisted
| Ship crew = 
| Ship sensors = 
| Ship EW = 
| Ship armament = *1 × {{convert|3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} gun
*6 × [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm Bofors]] guns
*6 × 20 mm guns
*2 × [[M2 Browning|.50 cal (12.7 mm)]] machine guns
*4 × [[M1919 Browning machine gun|.30 cal (7.62 mm)]] machine guns
| Ship armour = 
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

===Development===
At their first meeting at the [[Atlantic Charter|Atlantic Conference]] in [[Argentia]], [[Newfoundland]], in August 1941, US President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill confirmed the Admiralty's views. In November 1941, a small delegation from the Admiralty arrived in the United States to pool ideas with the [[United States Navy]]'s [[Bureau of Ships]] with regard to development of ships and the possibility of building further ''Boxer''s in the US.{{sfnp|Brown|2000|p=143}} During this meeting, it was decided that the Bureau of Ships would design these vessels. As with the standing agreement, these ships would be built by the US so British shipyards could concentrate on building vessels for the [[Royal Navy]]. The specifications called for vessels capable of crossing the Atlantic, and the original title given to them was "Atlantic Tank Landing Craft", abbreviated as "Atlantic (T.L.C.)". Calling a vessel {{convert|300|ft|m|abbr=on}} long a "craft" was considered a misnomer and the type was re-named "Landing Ship, Tank (2)", or "LST (2)".

The LST (2) design incorporated elements of the first British LCTs from their designer, Sir [[Rowland Baker]], who was part of the British delegation. One of the elements provided for sufficient buoyancy in the ships' sidewalls so that they would float the ship even when the tank deck was flooded.{{sfnp|Brown|2000|p=143}} The LST (2) gave up the speed of HMS ''Boxer'', at only {{convert|10|kn}}, but carried a similar load while drawing only {{convert|3|ft|cm|0|spell=in}} forward when beaching.

===Design===
Within a few days, [[John Niedermair|John C. Niedermair]] of the Bureau of Ships sketched out an awkward looking ship that proved to be the basic design for the more than 1,000 ''LST (2)'' that were built during World War II. To meet the conflicting requirements of deep draft for ocean travel and shallow draft for beaching, the ship was designed with a large ballast system that could be filled for ocean passage and pumped out for beaching operations.{{sfnp|Niedermair|1982|p=58}} An anchor and mechanical winch system also aided in the ship's ability to pull itself off the beach. The rough sketch was sent to Britain on 5 November 1941 and accepted immediately. The Admiralty then requested that the United States build 200 "LST (2)" for the Royal Navy under the terms of [[lend-lease]].

The preliminary plans initially called for an LST 280&nbsp;feet (85&nbsp;m) in length; but, in January 1942, the Bureau of Ships discarded these drawings for a slightly longer ship of {{convert|290|ft|m}}. Within a month, final working plans were developed that further stretched the overall length to {{convert|328|ft|m}} with a {{convert|50|ft|m|adj=on}} beam and a minimum draft of {{convert|3.8|ft|m}}. This scheme distributed the ship's weight over a greater area, enabling her to ride higher in the water when in landing trim. The LST could carry a {{convert|2100|ST|t}} load of tanks and vehicles. The larger dimensions also permitted the designers to increase the width of the bow door opening and ramp from {{convert|12|to|14|ft|m}} in order for it to be able to accommodate most Allied vehicles. As the dimensions and weight of the LST increased, steel plating thickness increased from {{convert|1/4|in|mm|adj=on}} to {{convert|3/8|in|mm|adj=on}} on the deck and sides, with {{convert|1|in|mm|adj=mid|-thick}} plating under the bow.{{sfnp|Niedermair|1982|p=59}} By January 1942, the first scale model of the LST had been built and was undergoing tests at the [[David Taylor Model Basin]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]

Provisions were made for the satisfactory ventilation of the tank space while the tank motors were running, and an elevator was provided to lower vehicles from the main deck to the tank deck for disembarking. In April 1942 a mock-up of the well-deck of an LST was constructed at [[Fort Knox]], Kentucky, to resolve the problem of ventilation within the LST well-deck. The interior of the building was constructed to duplicate all the features found within an actual LST. Being the home to the [[Armor Branch|Armored Force]] Board, Fort Knox supplied tanks to run on the inside while Naval architects developed a ventilation system capable of evacuating the well-deck of harmful gases. Testing was completed in three months. This historic building remains at Fort Knox today.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.generalpatton.org/D-Day/LST.htm |title=The LST Building at Fort Knox |work=generalpatton.org |year=2008 |access-date=19 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929233950/http://www.generalpatton.org/D-Day/LST.htm |archive-date=29 September 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Early LST operations required overcoming the 18th-century language of the Articles for the Government of the United States Navy: "He who doth suffer his ships to founder on rocks and shoals shall be punished..."{{sfnp|Wyckoff|1982|p=51}} There were some tense moments of concept testing at [[Quonset Point|Quonset, Rhode Island]], in early 1943 when designer Niedermair encouraged the commanding officer of the first U.S. LST to drive his ship onto the beach at full speed of {{convert|10|kn|mph km/h}}.{{sfnp|Niedermair|1982|p=59}}

===Production===
{{anchor|LST-1 class tank landing ship}}
{{anchor|LST-491-class tank landing ship}}
[[File:USS Middlesex County (LST-983) launches a LVTP-5, in the 1960s (L45-182.02.01).jpg|thumb|left|{{USS|LST-983}} (USS ''Middlesex County'') with [[USS Clarke County (LST-601)|''LST-601'']] (USS ''Clarke County'') in the background, launches a [[United States Marine Corps|Marine]] [[LVTP-5]] for a waterborne landing, in the 1960s. When carrying amphibious tractors, an LST could land her payload from offshore without beaching.]]
[[File:LSTs 325, 388;1016032501.jpg|thumb|left|{{USS|LST-325}} (left) and {{USS|LST-388}} unloading at low tide while beached during the [[Normandy Invasion]] in June 1944]]
[[File:GMLSTdieselengine.jpg|thumb|left|A GM EMD 12-567ATLP diesel engine as installed in [[USS LST-393]]. The engines were rated at 900 HP (each) at 744 RPM.]]

The LST(2) was built as the '''''LST-1'' class''' and the '''''LST-491'' class'''.

In three separate acts dated 6 February 1942, 26 May 1943, and 17 December 1943, Congress provided the authority for the construction of LSTs along with a host of other auxiliaries, [[destroyer escort]]s, and assorted [[landing craft]]. The enormous building program quickly gathered momentum. Such a high priority was assigned to the construction of LSTs that the previously laid keel of an [[aircraft carrier]] was hastily removed to make room for several LSTs to be built in her place. The keel of the first LST was laid down on 10 June 1942 at [[Newport News, Virginia]], and the first standardized LSTs were floated out of their building dock in October. Twenty-three were in commission by the end of 1942.

The LST building program was unique in several respects. As soon as the basic design had been developed, contracts were let and construction was commenced in quantity before the completion of a test vessel. Preliminary orders were rushed out verbally or by telegrams, telephone, and air mail letters. The ordering of certain materials actually preceded the completion of design work. While many heavy equipment items, such as main propulsion machinery, were furnished directly by the Navy, the balance of the procurement was handled centrally by the Material Coordinating Agency—an adjunct of the Bureau of Ships—so that the numerous builders in the program would not have to bid against one another. Through vigorous follow-up action on materials ordered, the agency made possible the completion of construction schedules in record time.

The need for LSTs was urgent, and the program enjoyed a high priority throughout the war. Since most shipbuilding activities were located in coastal yards that were mainly used for construction of large, deep-draft ships, new construction facilities for the LSTs were established along inland waterways, some converted from heavy-industry plants, such as steel fabrication yards. Shifting the vessels was complicated by bridges across waterways, many of which were modified by the Navy to permit passage. A dedicated Navy "Ferry Command" orchestrated the transportation of newly constructed ships to coastal ports for final fitting out. Of the 1,051 LSTs built during the war, 670 were supplied by five "cornfield shipyards" in the Midwest. [[Dravo Corporation]]'s facility at [[Neville Island, Pennsylvania]], designated the lead shipyard for the project, built 145 vessels and developed fabrication techniques that reduced construction time and costs at all of the LST shipyards. The [[Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Co.]] built the most LSTs of any shipyard, with 171 constructed at [[Evansville, Indiana]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/shipyards/emergencylarge/missourivalley.htm |title=Missouri Valley Bridge, Evansville IN |first=Tim |last=Colton |work=Shipbuilding History |date=15 October 2010 |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803142402/http://shipbuildinghistory.com/shipyards/emergencylarge/missourivalley.htm |archive-date=3 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Chicago Bridge and Iron]]'s shipyard in [[Seneca, Illinois]], launched 156 ships and was specifically chosen because of their reputation and skills, particularly in welding. The [[American Bridge Company]] in [[Ambridge, Pennsylvania]], built 119.

===Modifications===
By 1943, the construction time for an LST had been reduced to four months. By the end of the war, this had been cut to two months. Considerable effort was expended to hold the ship's design constant, but, by mid-1943, operating experience led to the incorporation of certain changes in the new ships.

From LST-513, the elevator to transfer equipment between the tank deck and the main deck was replaced with a {{convert|12|by|32|ft|m|abbr=on}} ramp that was hinged at the main deck. This allowed vehicles to be driven directly from the main deck down to the tank deck and then across the bow ramp to the beach or causeway, speeding the process of disembarkation.<ref>ONI 266 Allied Landing Craft and Ships</ref>

Changes in the later '''''LST-542'' class''' included the addition of a navigation bridge; the installation of a water distillation plant with a capacity of {{convert|4,000|impgal|L}} per day;<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j4elCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA10 | title=Landing Ship, Tank (LST) 1942–2002 | isbn=9781782004899 | last1=Rottman | first1=Gordon L. | date=20 September 2012 | publisher=Bloomsbury }}</ref> the removal of the tank deck ventilator tubes from the center section of the main deck; the strengthening of the main deck in order to carry a smaller [[Landing Craft Tank]] (LCT); and an upgrade in armor and armament, with the addition of a [[3"/50 caliber gun]].

==LST Mk.3==
{|{{Infobox ship begin
}}
{{Infobox ship image
| image = File:Lst (3) 3035 FL7209.jpg
| caption = HMS ''LST-3035''
}}{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = LST (3)
| Builders = [[Hawthorn Leslie and Company|R & W. Hawthorn, Leslie & Co. Ltd]], [[Harland and Wolff]], [[Swan Hunter|Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd]], [[Vickers-Armstrongs]]
| Operators = *{{navy|United Kingdom}}
*{{Naval|Australia|1913}}
*{{Naval|Greece|royalnavy}}
*{{Naval|Netherlands}}
*{{Naval|India}}
| Class before = 
| Class after = 
| Subclasses = 
| Cost = 
| Built range = 
| In service range = 
| In commission range = 
| Total ships building = 
| Total ships planned = 119
| Total ships completed = *UK:
**31 × LST (3)
**2 × LST (C)
**2 × LST (Q)
*Canada:
**26 × LST (3)
| Total ships cancelled = 40 + 6 scrapped before completion
| Total ships active = 0
| Total ships laid up = 
| Total ships lost = 
| Total ships retired = 
| Total ships preserved = 0
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship displacement = *2,140 tons light
*{{convert|4980|LT|t|0}} full load
| Ship length = {{convert|347|ft|m|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|o/a]]
| Ship beam = {{convert|55|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship height = 
| Ship draught = *Loaded:
*{{convert|4|ft|7|in|m|abbr=on}} bow
*{{convert|11|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} stern
| Ship depth = 
| Ship hold depth = 
| Ship decks = 
| Ship deck clearance = 
| Ship ramps = 23 feet by 14 feet ramp
| Ship propulsion = Twin screws, steam reciprocating engines, {{convert|5500|hp|abbr=on}}, {{convert|10|ft|m|abbr=on}} propeller
| Ship speed = {{convert|13|kn|lk=in}}
| Ship range = 
| Ship endurance = 
| Ship boats = 
| Ship capacity = 10 tanks plus 15 vehicles
| Ship troops = 13 officers and 150 men
| Ship complement = 14 officers and 90 men
| Ship sensors = 
| Ship EW = 
| Ship armament = 8 × 20 mm Oerlikon for A/A defence on some ships
| Ship armour = 
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

===Design===
The LST (2) design was successful and production extensive, but there was still a need for more LSTs for British operations. As such, it was decided to build a further 80 of the ships in the UK and Canada to be available in the spring of 1945.

The British Staff drew up their own specification, requiring that the ship:

* Be able to embark and disembark tanks, motor transport, etc., on beaches of varying slopes; and amphibians and [[DD tank|DD]] Sherman tanks into deep water
* Carry five [[Landing Craft Assault]] (LCA), or similar craft, and one LCT (5) or LCT (6) on the upper deck, in place of transport, and, as an alternative to the LCT (5), two [[Navy lighterage pontoon|NL pontoon]] causeway to be carried; the LCT (5) and NL pontoon causeways to be capable of launching directly from the upper deck.
* To carry 500 tons of military load and to beach with that and sufficient fuel and stores for a {{convert|1000|mi|km|abbr=on}} return journey at {{convert|10|kn|km/h}}, on draughts {{convert|4|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} forward and {{convert|11|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} aft.
* To carry a load of sixty tons over the main ramp and ten tons over the vehicle ramp (i.e., the {{convert|50|ft|m|abbr=on}} ramp from the upper deck to the bow door. After trials, this was removed from some vessels)
* To be fitted for operations in the tropics and in cold climates

Two major problems made a redesign necessary. The preferred light weight medium-speed (locomotive type) [[Electro-Motive Diesel]] 12-[[EMD 567|567]] [[diesel engines]] were not immediately available. Staff wanted more power and higher speeds if possible, which the EMD engines could have provided. However, the only engines available were very heavy steam [[reciprocating engines]] from [[frigates]] that had been cancelled. These delivered two and a half times the power of the diesels. So large were they that significant changes had to be made to accommodate them. Lack of welded construction facilities meant that the hull had to be riveted. This combination of heavy hull and heavy engines meant that speed was only {{convert|3|kn|km/h}} faster than the LCT (2).

At the same time, other improvements were made—as well as simplifications required so most of the structure could be assembled with [[rivet]]s. The cutaway hard [[Chine (boating)|chine]] that had been dropped in the American version of the Mark 2 vessels was restored. The tank deck, which was above the waterline, was made parallel to the [[keel]], there was to be no round down to the upper deck, and the ship was enlarged to accommodate the more bulky machinery.

Provision was made for carrying the British [[Landing Craft Assault]] (LCA) in gravity [[davit]]s, instead of American assault craft. Provision was also made for carrying [[Landing Craft Tank]] (LCT) and [[Landing Craft Mechanized]] (LCM), and NL [[Pontoon bridge|pontoon]] [[causeway]]s.

When the design commenced, engineers knew that the beaches where the ships were expected to land would be very flat, but it was not possible to produce a satisfactory vessel with a {{convert|3|ft|m|abbr=on}} draught forward, and very little keel slope, so the 1 in 50 keel slope was maintained. It was known that the 1:50 slope would often result in the LST grounding aft on a shallow beach, resulting in the vehicles being discharged into comparatively deep water.

Various methods had been investigated to overcome the problem, but heavy grounding skegs and the N.L. pontoon causeways were finally accepted as standard; the pontoon causeways were formed of pontoons {{convert|7|ft|m|abbr=on}} × 5&nbsp;ft × {{convert|5|ft|m|abbr=on}}, made up into strings and rafts. When offloading, the rafts were secured to the fore end of the ship, and the load discharged directly onto the shore, or towed on the raft to the shore.

The ships were fitted out for service in both very cold and tropical conditions. The accommodation provided for both crew and army personnel was greatly improved compared with LST (2). The main hazard, apart from enemy action, was fire on the tank deck. [[Fire sprinkler]]s were provided, but the water drenching system installed in later American vessels could not be provided.

The bow door arrangements were similar to the LST (2), but the design arranged the bow ramp in two parts in an attempt to increase the number of beaches where direct discharge would be possible. The machinery for operating the bow doors and ramp were electrical, but otherwise, steam auxiliaries replaced the electrical gear on the LST (2).

The general arrangements of the tank deck were similar, but the design increased headroom and added a ramp to the top deck, as in later LST (2)s. Provision was made for carrying LCA on gravity davits instead of the American built assault boats. The arrangements were generally an improvement over the LST (2), but suffered from a deeper draught, and, to some extent, from the haste of construction.

The first orders were placed in December 1943 with British builders, and 35 with Canadian builders. [[Swan Hunter]] delivered the first ships in December 1944. During 1944, follow up orders were placed in Canada for a further 36. These programmes were in full swing when the war ended, but not all vessels were completed.

The ships were numbered numbers ''LST-3001'' to ''LST-3045'' and ''LST-3501'' to ''LST-3534''. ''LST−3535'' and later were cancelled.

Fifteen 40-ton tanks or 27 25-ton tanks could be carried on the tank deck with an additional fourteen lorries on the weather deck.{{sfnp|Rottman|2005|p=6}}

===Propulsion===
Steam was supplied by a pair of [[Three-drum boilers#Admiralty boiler|Admiralty pattern]] [[Three-drum boilers|3-drum water-tube type boilers]], working at {{convert|225|psi}}. The main engines were of the 4-cylinder [[Marine steam engine#Triple or multiple expansion|triple expansion]] 4-crank type, balanced on the [[Yarrow Shipbuilders|Yarrow]]-Tweedy-Slick system, the cylinders being as follows:
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:97%;"
|-
| High pressure || 18.5 in diameter
|-
| Medium pressure || 31.0 in diameter
|-
| Forward low pressure || 38.5 in diameter
|-
| Aft low pressure || 38.5 in diameter
|}
The common stroke was {{convert|30|in|mm}}. The piston and slide valve rods were all fitted with metallic packing to the stuffing boxes, and all pistons fitted with packing rings and springs. The high-pressure valve was of the piston type, whilst the remaining ones were of the balanced type. The main engines were designed to develop {{convert|2750|hp|abbr=on}} at 185 rpm continuously.

With the ships being twin screw, the engines were fitted with a shaft coupling to the crank shaft at the forward end, allowing the engine to be turned end to end to suit either port or starboard side fitting.

===Modifications for landing craft===
When the LST (3)s were ordered, the LST (2) programme was in full swing, and similar arrangements were made to enable the LSTs to carry the {{convert|112|ft|m}} long LCT5 or LCT6 that were being built in America for the Royal Navy.

The LCT needed lifting onto the deck of the ship, being carried on wedge-shaped support blocks; at the time of launching she was set down on the "launch ways" by simply slacking off bolts in the wedge blocks, allowing the launch way to take the weight. To carry out a launch, the LST was heeled over about 11 degrees by careful flooding of tanks in the hull. The height of the drop was about {{convert|10|ft|m|abbr=on}}. Once launched in this way, the propeller shafts were reconnected (together with some minor "unpacking" work) and the LCT was ready for operation.<ref name="Bruce 1999">{{cite book |last1=Bruce |first1=Colin John |title=Invaders: British and American Experience of Seaborne Landings 1939-1945 |date=1999 |publisher=Caxton |isbn=1840675330 |edition=2003}}</ref>{{rp|239}}

This method was used for moving LCT5s from Britain to the Far East, although there seems to be no reference to LST (3)s being used, most being completed late in or after the war.

Even at the end of the war there was a need for more ships able to carry minor landing craft, and two of the LST (3)s then completing were specially fitted to carry LCM (7). These craft, which were {{convert|58|ft|m|abbr=on}} long and weighed about 28 tons, were carried transversely on the upper deck of the ship. They were hoisted on by means of a specially fitted 30-ton derrick; This 30-ton derrick replaced a 15-ton derrick, two of which were the standard fit of the LST (3). The 30-ton derrick was taller and generally more substantial than the 15 ton one.

The LCM (7)s were landed on trolleys fitted with hydraulic jacks. These ran on rails down each side of the deck, and were hauled to and fro by means of winches. The stowage was filled from fore to aft as each craft was jacked down onto fixed cradles between the rails. The ships completed to this standard were ''LST-3043''/HMS ''Messina'', and ''LST-3044''/HMS ''Narvik''. While these ships were able to carry LCMs, they were only able to carry out loading and unloading operations under nearly ideal weather conditions, and therefore could not be used for assault operations; they also lacked the facilities to maintain the landing craft (which the Dock Landing Ships provided).

The Landing Craft Assault were wooden-hulled vessels plated with armour, {{convert|41|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} long overall, {{convert|10|ft|m|abbr=on}} wide, and displacing 13 tons fully loaded. Draught was {{convert|2|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}}, and normal load was 35 troops with {{convert|800|lb|abbr=on}} of equipment. A pair of Scripps marine conversions of Ford V8 engines gave it speeds of {{convert|11|kn|km/h}} unloaded, {{convert|8|kn|km/h}} service speed, {{convert|3|kn|km/h}} on one engine. Range was {{convert|50|–|80|mi|km|-1}} miles on {{convert|64|impgal|L}}. Armament was typically a [[Bren light machine gun]] aft; with two [[Lewis Gun]]s in a port forward position.

The LCM (7)s that were carried on the LST (2) were considerably larger, {{convert|60|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} in length, {{convert|16|ft|m|abbr=on}} beam, with a hoisting weight of 28 tons, full load displacement of 63 tons. Beaching draught was {{convert|3|ft|8|in|m|abbr=on}}, and propulsion was provided by a pair of Hudson Invader petrol engines, later replaced with Grays diesels, both sets providing {{convert|290|bhp|abbr=on}}, giving a speed of {{convert|9.8|kn|km/h}}.

The main requirement of the design was to carry a 40-ton [[Churchill tank]] or bulldozer at {{convert|10|kn|km/h}}. 140 had been completed when the war ended, and some saw service through to the 1970s.

===Variants===
Some LST (3)s were converted to LST (A) (A for "assault") by adding stiffening so they could safely carry the heaviest British tanks.

Two LST (3)s were converted to command vessels, LST (C): LST 3043 and [[HMS Narvik (L3044)|LST 3044]]. Post war they became HMS ''Messina'' (L112) and HMS ''Narvik'' (L114). They were better armed with ten 20&nbsp;mm Oerlikons and four 40&nbsp;mm Bofors.

Two LST (3)s were converted during building into Headquarters command ships LST (Q). These were L3012, which became L3101 (and later HMS ''Ben Nevis'') and LST 3013, which became LST 3102, and then HMS ''Ben Lomond''. They acted as LST "mother ships", similar in most aspects to American ships based on the LST (2) hull. They had two [[Quonset hut]]s erected on the main deck to accommodate 40 officers. Berths on the tank deck berthed an extra 196 men. A bake shop and 16 refrigeration boxes for fresh provisions augmented the facilities normally provided for the crew. Four extra distilling units were added, and the ballast tanks were converted for the storage of fresh water.

==Service in World War II==
[[File:LST Morotai.jpg|thumb|upright|left|U.S. LSTs carrying the [[Australian 26th Brigade]] from [[Morotai Island]] to [[Tarakan Island]] in April 1945]]

At the Armor Training School in Ft. Knox, Kentucky, buildings were erected as exact mock-ups of an LST. Tank crews in training learned how to maneuver their vehicles onto, in and from an LST with these facilities. One of these buildings has been preserved at Ft. Knox for historic reasons and can still be seen.

From their combat début in the [[Solomon Islands]] in June 1943 until the end of the hostilities in August 1945, the LSTs performed a vital service in World War II. They participated in the invasions of [[Sicily]] ([[Operation Husky]]), [[Allied invasion of Italy|Italy]], [[Operation Overlord|Normandy]], and [[Operation Dragoon|southern France]] in the [[European Theatre of World War II|European Theater]] and were an essential element in the island-hopping campaigns in the Pacific that culminated in the [[Battle of Leyte|liberation of the Philippines]] and the capture of [[Battle of Iwo Jima|Iwo Jima]] and [[Battle of Okinawa|Okinawa]].

Despite the large numbers produced, LSTs were a scarce commodity and Churchill describes the difficulty in retaining sufficient LSTs in the Mediterranean for amphibious work in Italy, and later the logistics of moving large numbers to the eastern theatres, while still supplying the large armies in Europe.

The LST proved to be a remarkably versatile ship. Thirty-nine of them were converted to become [[Achelous-class repair ship|landing craft repair ships]] (ARL). In this design, the bow ramp and doors were removed, and the bow was sealed. Derricks, booms, and winches were added to haul damaged landing craft on board for repairs, and blacksmith, machine, and electrical workshops were provided on the main deck and tank deck.

Thirty-six LSTs were converted to serve as small [[hospital ship]]s and designated [[LSTH]]. They supplemented the many standard LSTs, which removed casualties from the beach after landing tanks and vehicles. LSTs had brought 41,035 wounded men back across the [[English Channel]] from [[Normandy]] by D-Day+114 (28 September 1944).<ref>{{cite book |title=The U.S. Navy Medical Dept at War, 1941–1945 |access-date=19 July 2012 |publisher=[[Naval History and Heritage Command]] |location=Washington, D.C.|pages=728–732 |chapter=Chapter XVII : Normandy |chapter-url=http://ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/Admin-Hist/068B-Med/068-Med-17.html}}</ref> Other LSTs, provided with extra cranes and handling gear, were used exclusively for replenishing ammunition. They possessed a special advantage in this role, as their size permitted two or three LSTs to go simultaneously alongside an anchored [[battleship]] or [[cruiser]] to accomplish replenishment more rapidly than standard ammunition ships.

Three LST (2) were converted into British "Fighter Direction Tenders" (FDT), swapping their landing craft for [[Motor launch (naval)|Motor Launch]]es{{sfnp|Rottman|2005|p=47}} and outfitted with [[Air Ministry Experimental Station|AMES Type 11]] and Type 15 fighter control radar to provide [[Ground-controlled interception]] (GCI) coverage for air defence of the [[Normandy landings|D-Day]] landing areas. Of these ships, HMS ''FDT 216'' was stationed off [[Omaha Beach|Omaha]] and [[Utah Beach|Utah]] beaches, HMS ''FDT 217'' was allocated [[Sword Beach|Sword]], [[Juno Beach|Juno]], and [[Gold Beach|Gold]] beaches. HMS ''FDT 13'' was used for coverage of the overall main shipping channel. In the period 6 June to 26 June Allied fighters controlled by the FDTs resulted in the destruction of 52 enemy aircraft by day, and 24 enemy aircraft by night.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rquirk.com/cdnradar/cor/chapter11.pdf |title=Ground Controlled Interception Radars in Operation Neptune/Overlord: "The Allied Invasion of France" June, 1944 |first=Horace R. |last=Macaulay |work=Canadian Radar History Project |year=2000 |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924092322/http://www.rquirk.com/cdnradar/cor/chapter11.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== LST flight decks ===
[[File:LST Aircraft Carrier.jpg|thumb|left|USS ''LST-906'', with US Army Air Force L-4 Grasshopper on her flight deck being prepared for take-off. Note additional L-4 type aircraft stowed alongside the deck.]]
[[File:USS LST-776 with Brodie system front view during testing 1943.jpg|thumb|USS ''LST-776'' with Brodie system front view during testing 1943]]
In the latter stages of World War II, some LSTs were fitted with flight decks that could launch small observation planes during amphibious operations.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Flight Strip makes a flattop out of an Invasion Craft |journal=[[Popular Mechanics]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gN8DAAAAMBAJ&q=Popular+Mechanics+Science+installing+linoleum&pg=PA64 |access-date=16 November 2015 |date=December 1944 |volume=82 |number=6 |page=64}}</ref> These were USS ''LST-16'', USS ''LST-337'', USS ''LST-386'', USS ''LST-525'', ''LST-776'', and {{USS|LST-906}}. Two others (USS ''LST-393'' and USS ''LST-776'') were fitted with the [[Brodie landing system|Brodie System]] for take off and landing.

It has been estimated that, in the combined fleets assembled for the war on [[Empire of Japan|Japan]], the tonnage of landing ships, excluding landing craft, would have exceeded five million tons and nearly all built within four years.

Throughout the war, LSTs demonstrated a remarkable capacity to absorb punishment and survive. Despite the sobriquets "Large Slow Target" and "Large Stationary Target", which were applied to them by crew members, the LSTs suffered few losses in proportion to their number and the scope of their operations. Their brilliantly conceived structural arrangement provided unusual strength and buoyancy; {{HMS|LST 3002}} was struck and holed in a post-war collision with a [[Victory ship]] and survived. Although the LST was considered a valuable target by the enemy, only 26 were lost due to enemy action, and a mere 13 were the victims of weather, reef, or accident.

A total of 1,152 LSTs were contracted for in the great naval building program of World War II, but 101 were cancelled in the fall of 1942 because of shifting construction priorities. Of 1,051 actually constructed, 113 LSTs were transferred to Britain under the terms of Lend-Lease, and four more were turned over to the [[Greek Navy]]. Conversions to other ship types with different hull designations accounted for 116: 6 Miscellaneous Ships (AG), 14 Motor Torpedo Boat Tenders (AGP), 7 Self-Propelled Barracks Ships (APB), 13 Battle Damage Repair Ships (ARB), 39 Landing Craft Repair Ships (ARL), 3 Salvage Craft Tenders (ARST), 4 Aircraft Repair Ships (ARVA, ARVE), 1 Advance Aviation Base Ship (AVB), 4 Unclassified miscellaneous vessels (IX), and 36 LSTH. One LST which had been sunk in an accident was later raised and converted into a Covered Barge (YF).

==Post-war developments==

===United States===
[[File:LST-1108 arrives at Rongerik Atoll on 8 March 1946 (146763092).jpg|thumb|left|LST arrives at Rongerik Atoll in March 1946]]

The end of World War II left the Navy with a huge inventory of amphibious ships. Hundreds of these were scrapped or sunk, and most of the remaining ships were put in "mothballs" to be preserved for the future. Additionally, many of the LSTs were demilitarized and sold to the private sector, along with thousands of other transport ships, contributing to a major downturn in shipbuilding in the United States following the war. Many LSTs were used as targets in aquatic nuclear testing after the war, being readily available and serving no apparent military applications. World War II era LSTs have become somewhat ubiquitous, and have found a number of novel commercial uses, including operating as small freighters, [[ferry|ferries]], and [[dredge]]s. Consequently, construction of LSTs in the immediate post-war years was modest. [[USS Talbot County (LST-1153)|''LST-1153'']] and [[USS Tallahatchie County (LST-1154)|''LST-1154'']], commissioned respectively in 1947 and 1949, were the only steam-driven LSTs ever built by the Navy. They provided improved berthing arrangements and a greater cargo capacity than their predecessors.
[[File:LST-742,1950;1016074201.jpg|thumb|[[USS Dunn County (LST-742)|USS ''LST-742'']] on 13 October 1950 at Wolmi-do island, [[Incheon|Incheon Harbor]], [[South Korea]], loading supplies for the upcoming Wonsan invasion]]
The success of the [[Battle of Inchon|amphibious assault at Inchon]] during the [[Korean War]] showed the utility of LSTs once again. This was in contrast with the earlier opinion expressed by many military authorities that the advent of the atomic bomb had relegated amphibious landings to a thing of the past. During the Korean War a number of LSTs were converted to transport the much needed, but slow and short range [[Landing craft tank|LSU]] from the United States to the Korean theater of war using the piggy-back method. After arrival the LSU was slid off sideways from the LST.<ref>{{cite journal|title=LSU rides big brother to work |journal=[[Popular Mechanics]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=49gDAAAAMBAJ&q=Popular+Mechanics+Science&pg=PA94 |access-date=16 November 2015 |date=September 1951 |volume=96 |number=3 |pages=94–95}}</ref> Additionally, LSTs were used for transport in the building of an Air Force base at Thule, Greenland during the Korean War. Fifteen LSTs of what were later to be known as the ''Terrebonne Parish'' class were constructed in the early 1950s. These new LSTs were {{convert|56|ft|m}} longer and were equipped with four, rather than two, diesel engines, which increased their speed to {{convert|15|kn}}. [[3"/50 caliber gun|Three-inch / 50-caliber]] twin mounts replaced the old twin 40&nbsp;mm guns, and controllable pitch propellers improved the ship's backing power. On 1 July 1955, county or, in the case of Louisiana, [[List of parishes in Louisiana|parish]] names were assigned to many LSTs, which up to then had borne only a letter-number hull designation.

In the late 1950s, seven LSTs of the ''De Soto County'' class were constructed. These were an improved version over earlier LSTs, with a high degree of habitability for the crew and embarked troops. Considered the "ultimate" design attainable with the traditional LST bow door configuration, they were capable of {{convert|17.5|kn}}.

=== United Kingdom ===

==== Commercial ferry use ====

In 1946, a brand new concept of transport was developed in the UK. During World War II, the great potential of landing ships and craft was recognised; if it was possible to drive tanks, guns and lorries directly onto a beach, then theoretically the same landing craft could be used to carry out a similar operation in the civilian commercial market, providing there were reasonable port facilities. From this idea grew the worldwide [[roll-on/roll-off]] [[ferry]] industry. In the period between the world wars, Lt. Colonel [[Frank Bustard]] formed the [[Atlantic Steam Navigation Company]], with a view to cheap transatlantic travel. This never materialised, but he observed trials on [[Brighton Beach|Brighton Sands]] of a LST in 1943 when its peacetime capabilities were obvious.

In the spring of 1946, the company approached the Admiralty with a request to purchase three of these vessels. The Admiralty was unwilling to sell, but after negotiations agreed to let the ASN have the use of three vessels on [[bareboat charter]] at a rate of £13 6s 8d per day. These vessels were LSTs ''3519'', ''3534'', and ''3512''. They were renamed ''[[HMS LST 3519|Empire Baltic]]'', {{SS|Empire Cedric||2}}, and {{SS|Empire Celtic||2}}, perpetuating the name of [[White Star Line]] ships in combination with the [[Empire ship|"Empire" ship]] naming of vessels in government service during the war.

The chartered vessels had to be adapted for their new role. First the accommodation on board had to be improved, and alterations in the engine and boiler rooms had also to be made. Modified funnels and navigational aids needed to be provided before they could enter service. On the morning of 11 September 1946, the first voyage of the Atlantic Steam Navigation Company took place when ''Empire Baltic'' sailed from [[Port of Tilbury|Tilbury]] to [[Rotterdam]] with a full load of 64 vehicles for the Dutch government. On arrival at [[Waalhaven]], the vessel beached using the method employed during wartime landings, being held by a stern anchor. The vessel stayed on the beach overnight, returning at 08:00 the next morning. This leisurely pace of work was followed for the first few voyages, the beach being employed possibly because normal port facilities were unavailable due to wartime damage. Following the initial Rotterdam voyage, ASN used their new vessels to transfer thousands of vehicles for the British Army from Tilbury to Hamburg, and later to Antwerp in 1955.

The original three LSTs were joined in 1948 by another vessel, {{HMS|LST 3041||2}}, renamed ''Empire Doric'', after the ASN were able to convince commercial operators to support the new route between [[Preston Dock]] in Lancashire and the Northern Ireland port of [[Larne]]. Originally [[Liverpool]] was chosen, but opposition from other operators led to a move to Lancashire. However, special port facilities had to be constructed at both Preston and Larne before the new route could be opened – a wartime end-loading ramp built by engineers during World War II at Preston, and a floating pontoon from a [[Mulberry harbour]] connected via a bridge to the quay at Larne.

The first sailing of this new route was on 21 May 1948 by ''Empire Cedric''. After the inaugural sailing, ''Empire Cedric'' continued on the Northern Ireland service, offering initially a twice-weekly service. ''Empire Cedric '' was the first vessel of the ASN fleet to hold a Passenger Certificate, and was allowed to carry fifty passengers. Thus ''Empire Cedric'' became the first vessel in the world to operate as a commercial/passenger roll-on/roll-off ferry, and the ASN became the first company to offer this type of service.

Some of the first cargo on this service were two lorry-loads of 65 gas cookers each on behalf of Moffats of Blackburn, believed to be the first commercial vehicles carried in this way as freight. The Preston–Larne service continued to expand, so much so that in 1950 it added a route to Belfast. This service opened in 1950, and sailings out of Preston were soon increased to six or seven a week to either Belfast or Larne.

In 1954, the [[British Transport Commission]] (BTC) took over the ASN under the Labour government's [[nationalization]] policy. In 1955, another two LSTs were chartered into the existing fleet, {{ship||Empire Cymric}} and {{ship||Empire Nordic}}, bringing the fleet strength to seven. The Hamburg service was terminated in 1955, and a new service was opened between Antwerp and Tilbury. The fleet of seven ships was to be split up, with the usual three ships based at Tilbury and the others maintaining the Preston to Northern Ireland service.

During late 1956, the entire fleet of ASN was taken over for use in the Mediterranean during the [[Suez Crisis]], and the drive on/drive off services were not re-established until January 1957. At this point ASN were made responsible for the management of twelve Admiralty LST (3)s brought out of reserve as a result of the Suez Crisis, though too late to see service.

==== Army service ====

A major task at the end of World War II was the redistribution of stores and equipment worldwide. Due to the scarcity and expense of merchant shipping it was decided in 1946 that the [[Royal Army Service Corps]] civilian fleet should take over seven LSTs from the Royal Navy. These were named after distinguished corps officers: [[Evan Gibb]], [[Charles Macleod]], [[Maxwell Brander]], [[Snowden Smith]], [[Humfrey Gale]], [[Reginald Kerr]], and [[Fredrick Glover]].

The LSTs needed to comply with [[Board of Trade]] regulations, and to be brought up to merchant navy standards, which involved lengthy alterations including extra accommodation. On completion, five vessels sailed for the Middle East, and two for the Far East.

During the evacuation of [[Mandatory Palestine]], ''Humfrey Gale ''and ''Evan Gibb ''made fifteen voyages each between [[Haifa]] and [[Port Said]] lifting between them 26,000 tons of vehicles and stores.

Similar work was done worldwide until 1952 when the ships were handed over to the Atlantic Steam Navigation Company, and subsequently in 1961 to the [[British-India Steam Navigation Company]], tasked by the War Office directly, RASC having no further concern with their administration.

==== Aviation training ====

The rapid increase in the use of helicopters in the Royal Navy in the late 1950s and 1960s required an increase in the training and support facilities ashore and afloat. Operational training for aircrew was carried out by naval air stations at [[RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey)|Portland]] and [[RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk)|Culdrose]]. The scrapping of some carriers and conversion of others to commando carriers in the mid-1950s left a shortage of suitable decks. This led to the ordering of {{RFAux|Engadine|K08|6}} in 1964; however, she would not be available till 1967. In the meantime it was decided to convert ''LST 3027'' to serve as an interim training ship.

This work was carried out at Devonport Dockyard in 1964. The deck forward of the cargo hatch was cleared of all obstructions, and strengthened for helicopter use. A small deckhouse used to support the gun emplacements was retained, although no guns were fitted, and it was used by the Flight Deck Officer as a helicopter control position. Below deck, two {{convert|10,000|impgal|L|adj=on}} aviation fuel tanks were installed at the fore end of the tank deck, and refuelling positions provided at the fore end of the flight deck. The tanks were sealed off by a bulkhead and the rest of the space used for stores, workshops and accommodation. Finally the bow doors were sealed, as they would no longer be needed. The flight deck was large enough for two [[Westland Wessex]] helicopters with rotors turning, or six could be parked with rotors folded. Renamed {{HMS|Lofoten|K07|6}} she proved extremely useful in service, and many lessons were learned that would be incorporated into ''Engadine''.

==Notable incidents==
===World War II===
*{{USS|LST-342}} sank 18 July 1943 by torpedo from [[Japanese submarine Ro-106]] off the Solomon Islands.<ref>{{cite DANFS |title=LST-342 |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/l/lst-342.html |date=2004 |access-date=8 April 2017}}</ref> Artist [[McClelland Barclay]] was killed during the attack.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Art by McClelland Barclay|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/art/exhibits/conflicts-and-operations/wwii/the-art-of-mcclelland-barclay.html|access-date=2021-09-17|website=NHHC|language=en-US}}</ref>
*During [[Exercise Tiger]] practice for an amphibious landing on 28 April 1944, German [[E-boat]]s attacked a convoy in [[Lyme Bay]]. Two LSTs were sunk (LST-531 and {{USS|LST-507}}) by torpedoes and two more damaged with 729 US army and navy personnel killed and missing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.combinedops.com/Op_Tiger.htm |title=Operation Tiger |website=Combined Ops.com |access-date=15 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607040347/http://www.combinedops.com/Op_Tiger.htm |archive-date=7 June 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq87-3g.htm |title=Oral Histories – Exercise Tiger, 28 April 1944 (provided by LT Eugene E. Eckstam, medical officer on USS ''LST-507'') |website=[[Naval History and Heritage Command]] |access-date=15 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612150050/http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq87-3g.htm |archive-date=12 June 2009}}</ref>
*In the [[West Loch disaster]] on 21 May 1944 {{USS|LST-353}} exploded while moored in West Loch at [[Pearl Harbor, Hawaii]]. This caused explosions on other LSTs. LST-39, {{USS|LST-43||2}}, {{USS|LST-69||2}}, {{USS|LST-179||2}} and {{USS|LST-480}} sank and others damaged. The explosions killed 163 sailors and wounded 396.<ref>{{cite web |title=West Loch Disaster |url=http://www.nps.gov/archive/usar/scrs/scrs2z.htm |website=National Park Service |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203014251/http://www.nps.gov/archive/usar/scrs/scrs2z.htm |archive-date=3 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/usar/scrs/scrs2z.htm |title=USS Arizona Memorial: Submerged Cultural Resources Study (Chapter 2) |website=[[National Park Service]] |access-date=9 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010054501/https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/usar/scrs/scrs2z.htm |archive-date=10 October 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Post-war===
[[File:Graham County LST-1176.jpg|thumb|upright|{{USS|Graham County|LST-1176}} beached at [[Vieques, Puerto Rico]], in 1964]]

*USS ''LST-52'' and ''LST-133'' participated in [[Operation Crossroads]], the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in July 1946, as targets.<ref>{{cite report |title=Bureau of Ships Group Technical Inspection Report |publisher=United States Atomic Energy Commission Division of Technical Information |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/AD0801410.pdf }}</ref>
*{{USS|LST-467}} sunk in 1979 as an artificial reef near the [[U.S. Virgin Islands]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scubadiving.com/travel/caribbean-atlantic/usvi-lessons-downtime |first=Dave |last=Lauterborn |date=19 February 2008 |title=U.S. Virgin Islands: Lessons In Downtime |website=scubadiving.com |access-date=9 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150625044532/http://www.scubadiving.com/travel/caribbean-atlantic/usvi-lessons-downtime |archive-date=25 June 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*{{USS|Bulloch County|LST-509}} (as [[Vietnam People's Navy]] armed transport HQ-505) sank 14 March 1988 during the [[Johnson South Reef Skirmish]] with China.

==World War II survivors==
=== Indonesia ===
{{Main|Teluk Langsa-class tank landing ship}}

* KRI ''Teluk Ratai'' (509), ex-[[USS Presque Isle (APB-44)|USS LST-678]], is a museum ship in [[Pariaman|Pariaman, West Sumatra]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sumbar.inews.id/berita/begini-cara-bawa-kri-teluk-ratai-509-ke-pariaman-sumbar|title=Begini Cara Bawa KRI Teluk Ratai 509 ke Pariaman Sumbar|website=inews.id|date=22 June 2021|access-date=5 August 2021|language=ID |author1=Antara }}</ref>
* KRI ''Teluk Bone'' (511), ex-[[USS Iredell County (LST-839)|USS ''Iredell County'' (LST-839)]], was decommissioned by the [[Indonesian Navy]] on 15 August 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asiapacificdefensejournal.com/2019/09/indonesia-decommissions-two-ex-us-navy.html|title=Indonesia decommissions two ex-US Navy Landing Ship Tanks|website=asiapacificdefensejournal.com|date=7 September 2019|access-date=5 August 2021}}</ref>

=== Philippines ===
The [[Philippine Navy]] received 20+ units of the LST Mk.2 starting in the late 1940s. This includes BRP ''Laguna'' (LT-501), ex-[[USS LST-230]] and BRP ''Benguet'' (LT-507), ex-[[USS Daviess County (LST-692)|USS ''Daviess County'' (LST-692)]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} The BRP ''Sierra Madre'' (LT-57), ex-[[USS Harnett County (LST-821)|USS ''Harnett County'' (LST-821)]] permanently beached on the [[Second Thomas Shoal]]. The ship serves as an advance outpost, and is currently at the center of a territorial dispute between [[China]] and the [[Philippines]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=de Castro|first1=Erik|last2=Ng|first2=Roli|date=31 March 2014|title=Philippine ship dodges China blockade to reach South China Sea outpost|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-china-reef-idUSBREA2U02720140331|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516234251/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/31/us-philippines-china-reef-idUSBREA2U02720140331|archive-date=16 May 2014|access-date=19 May 2014|website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Wingfield-Hayes|first=Rupert|date=9 September 2014|title=China's island factory (see last few pages for description, photos and video of Sierra Madre)|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/2014/newsspec_8701/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920032050/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/2014/newsspec_8701/index.html|archive-date=20 September 2014|access-date=17 September 2014|website=BBC News}}</ref>

=== Singapore ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2022}}

RSS ''Resolution'' (L-204), ex-[[USS LST-649|USS ''LST-649'']], is operated by the [[Republic of Singapore Navy]] as a training ship at [[Tuas Naval Base]], [[Singapore]]. She was one of the five landing ships bought by Singapore on 5 December 1975 which consists of [[USS Holmes County (LST-836)|USS ''LST-836'']], {{USS|LST-649}}, {{USS|LST-629}}, {{USS|LST-579}} and {{USS|LST-613}}.

=== South Korea ===
{{USS|LST-849}} was commissioned in 1945 and was an active ship until 2006. She served in the [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] campaign in May–June 1945 and earned one battle star for her service in World War II. She was transferred to the [[Republic of Korea Navy]] in 1958, commissioned as ROKS ''Wi Bong'' (LST-676), and served there until 2006. She was used to transport thousands of soldiers and their equipment from [[South Korea]] to [[South Vietnam]] during the [[Vietnam War]]. In 2007, she was decommissioned and sold to the city of [[Gunsan]], South Korea for display in a maritime museum in a deal with the navy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jinpo Maritime Theme Park (진포해양테마공원)|url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1601865|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010010246/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1601865|archive-date=10 October 2017|access-date=9 October 2017|website=[[Korea Tourism Organization|VisitKorea]]}}</ref>

=== Taiwan ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2022}}

[[File:ROCS Chung Yeh (LST-231).jpg|thumb|166x166px|ROCS Chung Yeh (LST-231)]]

The Republic of China Navy currently operates 4 LST-542 Class vessels and 1 LST-1 Class Vessel, as well as decommissioning 1 of their LST-542 Class Vessels as of recent. All 6 ships saw service during WW2.

[[File:ROCS Chung Chien (LST-205).jpg|thumb|166x166px|ROCS Chung Chien (LST-205)]]

* ROCS ''Chung Chien'' (LST-205),ex-[[USS LST-716]], is active with the [[Republic of China Navy]] as of 2022
* ROCS ''Chung Chie'' (LST-218), ex-[[USS LST-279|USS ''Berkeley County'' (LST-279)]], is active with the [[Republic of China Navy]] as of 2022
* ROCS ''Chung Ming'' (LST-227), ex-[[USS Sweetwater County (LST-1152)|USS ''Sweetwater County'' (LST-1152)]], is active with the Republic of China Navy as of 2022
* ROCS ''Chung Yeh'' (LST-231), ex-[[USS Sublette County (LST-1144)|USS ''Sublette County'' (LST-1144)]], is active with the Republic of China Navy as of 2022
* ROCS ''Kao Hsiung (LCC-1), ex-[[USS Dukes County (LST-735)]]'', is in service as a Testbed for the Republic of China Navy as of 2022.
* ROCS ''Chung Shun'' (LST-208), ex-[[USS LST-732]], was decommissioned by the Republic of China Navy on 1 April 2021
[[File:ROC Chung Chie (LST-218).jpg|thumb|ROCS Chung Chie (LST-218)]]

=== Thailand ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2022}}

* HTMS ''Pangan'' (LST-713), ex-{{USS|Stark County|LST-1134}}, is a museum ship in [[Surat Thani]]
* HTMS ''Lanta'' (LST-714), ex-{{USS|Stone County|LST-1141}}, is a museum ship in [[Krabi]]

=== Vietnam ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2022}}

''Tran Khanh Du'' (HQ-501), ex-{{USS|Maricopa County|LST-938}}, had been transferred to the [[Republic of Vietnam Navy]], and after the [[Fall of Saigon]] was captured by North Vietnamese forces. {{As of|2003}}, she is active and in commission with the [[Vietnamese People's Navy]].

=== United States ===
[[File:USS LST-325-9.jpg|thumb|[[USS LST-325]] as a [[mobile museum]] in [[La Crosse, Wisconsin]]]]

* {{USS|LST-325}}, ex-RHS ''Syros'' (L-144), is a museum ship in [[Evansville, Indiana]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=http://www.lstmemorial.org/faq |website=USS LST Ship Memorial, Inc. |access-date=12 June 2022}}</ref>
* {{USS|LST-393}} is a museum ship in [[Muskegon, Michigan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=USS LST 393 |url=http://www.lst393.org/about-us/mission.html |website=Mission |access-date=12 June 2022}}</ref>
* MV ''Cape Henlopen'', ex-{{USS|LST-510}}, was converted to a passenger and auto ferry and operates between [[New London, Connecticut]], and [[Orient Point, New York|Orient Point]], on the East End of [[Long Island, New York]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Cape Henlopen |url=http://www.longislandferry.com/capeh.html |website=Cross Sound Ferry |access-date=12 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031024201710/http://www.longislandferry.com/capeh.html |archive-date=24 October 2003}}</ref>

==Modern developments==
[[File:USS Frederick;1016118402.jpg|right|thumb|{{USS|Frederick|LST-1184|6}} at sea. The ''Newport''-class ships can debark amphibious vehicles from stern gates or the bow ramp.]]

The commissioning of the {{sclass|Newport|tank landing ship|4}} in 1969 marked the introduction of an entirely new concept in the design of LSTs. She was the first of a new class of 20 LSTs capable of steaming at a sustained speed of {{convert|20|kn|km/h}}. To obtain that speed, the traditional blunt bow doors of the LST were replaced by a pointed ship bow. Unloading is accomplished through the use of a {{convert|112|ft|m|adj=on}} [[Drawbridge|ramp]] operated over the bow (similar in concept to the original HMS ''Boxer'') and supported by twin derrick arms. A [[stern gate]] to the tank deck permits unloading of [[Landing Vehicle Tracked|LVTs]] into the water or the unloading of other vehicles into a [[Landing Craft Utility|landing craft utility]] (LCU) or onto a pier. Capable of operating with high-speed amphibious squadrons consisting of [[LHA (hull classification symbol)|LHA]]s, [[Amphibious transport dock|LPD]]s, and [[Dock Landing Ship|LSD]]s, the ''Newport''-class LST can transport tanks, other heavy vehicles, and engineering equipment that cannot readily be landed by [[helicopter]]s or landing craft. The ''Newport'' type were removed from U.S. Navy service in the 1990s, and Spanish Navy, [[Chile]], [[Australia]], and [[Malaysia]] but serves on in the navies of [[Brazil]], [[Mexico]], [[Morocco]], [[Taiwan]], in a modified form and soon with [[Peru]].{{fact|date=November 2024}}

Elsewhere, over 100 Polish {{sclass2|Polnocny|landing ship|1}}s were produced from 1967 to 2002. The [[Indian Navy]] maintains a fleet of seven Polnocny-class LSTs and LCUs known collectively as the {{sclass|Kumbhir|tank landing ship|4}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/kumbhir-class-lcu-mk-3-class-lcu-mk-iv-class|title=Kumbhir Class, LCU (MK-3) Class, LCU (MK-IV) Class – Indian Navy|website=www.indiannavy.nic.in|access-date=2018-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324224139/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/kumbhir-class-lcu-mk-3-class-lcu-mk-iv-class|archive-date=2018-03-24|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Ships/Active/164-Polnochny-Class.html|title=Polnochny Class – Bharat Rakshak :: Indian Navy|first=Landing Ship Tank|last=(Medium)|website=www.bharat-rakshak.com|access-date=2018-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324224426/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Ships/Active/164-Polnochny-Class.html|archive-date=2018-03-24|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Operators===

* {{navy|Algeria}} operates two {{sclass|Kalaat Beni Hammed|tank landing ship|2}}s.
* {{navy|Azerbaijan}} operates six {{sclass2|Polnocny|landing ship|2}}s.
* {{naval|Brazil}} operates one {{sclass|Round Table|landing ship logistics|2}}, purchased from the United Kingdom.
* {{navy|Chile}} operates two {{sclass2|BATRAL|landing ship|2}}s, purchased from France.
* {{navy|China}} operates, 12 [[Type 074 landing ship|Yuhai-class landing ship]]s, 10 [[Type 074A landing ship|Yubei-class landing ship]]s, 10 [[Type 073 landing ship|Yunshu-class landing ship]]s, 1 [[Type 073 landing ship|Yudeng-class landing ship]], 4 [[Type 072II landing ship|Yuting-class landing ship]]s, 10 [[Type 072III landing ship|Yuting II-class landing ship]]s, and 15 [[Type 072A landing ship|Yuting III-class landing ship]]s.
* {{naval|Taiwan}} operates 2 {{sclass|Newport|tank landing ship|2}}s and 4 {{sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship|2}}s, all purchased from the United States.
* {{navy|Ivory Coast}} operates a single {{sclass2|BATRAL|landing ship|2}}, purchased from France.
* {{navy|Croatia}} operates two {{sclass|Silba|landing ship-minelayer|2}}s.
* {{navy|Ecuador}} operates a single {{sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship|2}}, purchased from the United States.
* {{naval|Egypt}} operates three {{sclass2|Polnocny|landing ship|2}}s.
* {{navy|Equatorial Guinea}} operates one {{sclass| Salamandra|landing ship|2}}.
* {{navy|Greece}} operates five {{sclass|Jason|tank landing ship|2}}s.
* {{navy|India}} operates one {{sclass|Magar|amphibious warfare vessel|2}}<nowiki/>s, three {{sclass|Shardul|tank landing ship|2}}<nowiki/>s.
* {{naval|Indonesia}} <nowiki/>operates nine {{sclass|Teluk Bintuni|tank landing ship|2}}<nowiki/>s, 11 {{sclass|Teluk Gilimanuk|landing ship|2}}<nowiki/>s, four {{sclass|Teluk Semangka|tank landing ship|2}}<nowiki/>s, and an [[KRI Teluk Amboina|post-war Japanese-built ''LST-542''-class]] tank landing ship.
* {{naval|Iran}} operates four {{sclass|Hengam|landing ship|2}}s and four {{sclass|Karbala|landing ship|2}}s.
* {{flagicon|Iran}} [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy]] operates three {{sclass|Hormuz 24|landing ship|2}}s and two {{sclass|Hormuz 21|landing ship|2}}s.
* {{navy|Kenya}} operates two {{sclass|Galana|landing ship|2}}s.
* {{navy|South Korea}} operates four {{sclass|Cheon Wang Bong|tank landing ship|2}}s and four {{sclass|Go Jun Bong|tank landing ship|2}}s.
* {{naval|Libya}} operates one {{sclass2|Polnocny|landing ship|2}}.
* {{navy|Morocco}} operates three {{sclass2|BATRAL|landing ship|2}}s, purchased from France.
* {{navy|Oman}} operates the [[Nasr al Bahr (L2)|SNV ''Nasr al Bahr'']]
* {{navy|Peru}} operates two {{sclass|Terrebonne Parish|tank landing ship|2}}s, purchased from the United States.
* {{naval|Philippines}} operates one {{sclass|LST-1|tank landing ship|2}}, one {{sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship|2}}, both purchased from the United States, and two {{sclass|Bacolod City|support vessel|2}}s.
* {{navy|Poland}} operates five {{sclass|Lublin|minelayer-landing ship|2}}s.
* {{navy|Russia}} operates 12 {{sclass2|Ropucha|landing ship|2}}s, two {{sclass2|Alligator|landing ship|2}}s, and two {{sclass|Ivan Gren|landing ship|2}}s.
* {{naval|Syria}} operates three {{sclass2|Polnocny|landing ship|2}}s.
* {{naval|Thailand}} operates two {{sclass|Sichang|tank landing ship|2}}s.
* {{navy|Turkey}} operates two {{sclass|Bayraktar|tank landing ship|2}}s and the [[TCG Osman Gazi|TCG ''Osman Gazi'']]
* {{navy|Ukraine}} has a single {{sclass2|Polnocny|landing ship|2}}, may have been destroyed.
* {{navy|United Arab Emirates}} operates three {{sclass|Al-Quwaisat|LST|2}}s.
* {{army|United States}} operates eight {{sclass|General Frank S. Besson|support vessel|2}}s.
* {{navy|Venezuela}} operates four {{sclass|Capana|tank landing ship|2}}s.
* {{navy|Vietnam}} operates three {{sclass2|Polnocny|landing ship|2}}s and two {{sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship|2}}s, captured from South Vietnam.
* {{navy|Yemen}} operates a single {{sclass2|Polnocny|landing ship|2}}.

===Former operators===

* {{navy|Argentina}} decommissioned its last LST, [[ARA Cabo San Antonio (Q-42)|ARA ''Cabo San Antonio'']] in 1997.
* {{navy|Angola}} decommissioned its last {{sclass2|Polnocny|landing ship|2}} in 2004.
* {{navy|Australia}} decommissioned its only {{sclass|Round Table|landing ship logistics|2}} in 2013.
* {{navy|Bulgaria}} decommissioned its last {{sclass2|Polnocny|landing ship|2}} in 2017.
* {{navy|Canada}} decommissioned all its LST's following World War II.
* {{navy|Cuba}} decommissioned its only {{sclass2|Polnocny|landing ship|2}} in 1998.
* {{navy|Ethiopia}} decommissioned its last {{sclass2|Polnocny|landing ship|2}}s, following the dissolution of its navy in 1993.
* {{navy|France}} decommissioned its last {{sclass2|BATRAL|landing ship|2}} in 2017.
* {{navy|Gabon}} decommissioned its only {{sclass2|BATRAL|landing ship|2}} in 2016.
* {{navy|East Germany}} decommissioned its 14 {{sclass2|Frosch|landing ship|2}} following [[German reunification]].
* {{navy|Iraq}} lost its two {{sclass2|Polnocny|landing ship|2}}s during the [[Gulf War]] at the [[Battle of Bubiyan]].
* {{navy|Italy}} decommissioned its last {{sclass|De Soto County|tank landing ship|2}} in 1992.
* {{navy|Japan}} decommissioned its last {{sclass|Miura|tank landing ship|2}} in 2002.
* {{navy|Malaysia}} lost its only {{sclass|Newport|tank landing ship|2}} due to a fire in 2009.
* {{navy|Somalia}} decommissioned its lone {{sclass2|Polnocny|landing ship|2}} in 1991, following the collapse of the government.
* {{navy|South Vietnam}} transferred its four remaining {{sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship|2}}s to The Philippines in 1975.
* {{navy|Spain}} decommissioned its last {{sclass|Newport|tank landing ship|2}} in 2012.
* [[File:British-Royal-Fleet-Auxiliary-Ensign.svg|30px|Royal Fleet Auxiliary ensign]] [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]] decommissioned its last {{sclass|Round Table|landing ship logistics|2}} in 2008.
* {{navy|United States}} decommissioned its last {{sclass|Newport|tank landing ship|2}} in 2000.
* {{navy|Yugoslavia}} two {{sclass|Silba|landing ship-minelayer|2}}s were captured by Croatia in 1992.

==Cultural references==

===Literature===

''[[Lucky (2017 American film)|Lucky]]'', a 2017 movie about an 90 year old atheist coming to terms with his own mortality. In one scene, Lucky encounters a fellow World War II veteran and reflects on his service in the US Navy during the Pacific campaign. He reveals that he earned his nickname thanks to his relatively safe position as a cook on an LST — a vessel humorously dubbed a "Large Slow Target" by the crew.

''Jonah's Cathedral'' by R. D. Wall, is a novel of the Vietnam War based on the author's experiences while serving on an LST in the Mekong Delta in 1966. The book, #1 in the Jonah Wynchester Series, follows the exploits of U.S. Navy Gunner's Mate Jonah Wynchester from the time he reports aboard his new assignment, the LST USS ''Winchester County'', at the Navy Amphibious Base in Little Creek, Virginia, on New Year's Day 1966 through the time the ship departs for Vietnam. The "Cathedral" refers to the nickname the crew have given the ship, a decrepit, run-down LST in the ready reserve fleet, that is suddenly re-activated and fully manned for the rapidly expanding need for LSTs in the Vietnam theater. Book #2, "Mekong Covenant" follows the ship across the Pacific into the deadly brown waters of the Mekong Delta.

''The Ninety and Nine'' by [[William Brinkley]], author of ''[[Don't Go Near the Water (novel)|Don't Go Near the Water]]'', portrays an LST running supplies to [[Anzio]] during [[World War II]]. The title refers to the ship's company of ninety enlisted men and nine officers. The book opens with a quotation attributed to [[Winston Churchill]] – "The destinies of two great empires ... seemed to be tied by some god-damned things called LST's."

In the biography ''Man In Motion: Michigan's Legendary Senate Majority Leader, Emil Lockwood'' by Stanley C. Fedewa and Marilyn H. Fedewa, Lockwood colorfully describes his World War II service aboard ''LST-478''. "We were always in the thick of it," [[Emil Lockwood|Emil]] said, "because it was our job on the LSTs to carry personnel-operated tanks, artillery, supplies—anything, you name it—into the heart of a war zone."<ref>{{cite book |title=Man in motion : Michigan's legendary Senate majority leader, Emil Lockwood |first1=Stanley C |last1=Fedewa |first2=Marilyn H. |last2=Fedewa |year=2003 |location=Coral Springs, Florida |publisher=Llumina Press |isbn=978-1-93230-337-7}}</ref>

The novel ''Warm Bodies'' by [[Donald R. Morris]] portrays life on an LST in the 1950s. The title refers to the use of any available body in port during overhaul for any duty necessary. "A Warm Body is man with at least one arm and two fingers who can pick up something when he is told to." Although a work of fiction, the novel is based on Morris' experience as an officer aboard an LST.<ref>{{cite book |title=Warm Bodies, A Novel |first=Donald R. |last=Morris |year=1957 |location=New York |publisher=Simon & Schuster}}</ref>

==See also==
[[File:Tank landing ship technical diagram 1959.png|thumb|LST design]]
* ''[[Altalena Affair]]'' – a decommissioned LST used to transport weapons to Israel was involved in a firefight between the [[Israel Defense Forces]] and a Jewish paramilitary group in June 1948
* [[Dyugon-class landing craft]]
* [[Landing craft tank]]
* [[List of amphibious warfare ships]]
* [[List of LSTs]]
* [[LSTH]]
* [[Rhino ferry]]
* [[West Loch Disaster]]

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
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* {{cite journal |last=Niedermair |first=John C. |title=As I Recall...Designing the LST |url=https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1982/november/designing-lst |publisher=United States Naval Institute |journal=[[Proceedings (magazine)|Proceedings]] |date=November 1982}}
* {{cite journal |last=Wyckoff |first=Don P., Colonel USMC |title=Let There Be Built Great Ships... |url=https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1982/november/let-there-be-built-great-ships |publisher=United States Naval Institute |journal=[[Proceedings (magazine)|Proceedings]] |date=November 1982}}
* * {{cite book |first=R. |last=Baker |title=Selected Papers on British Warship Design in World War II – From the Transactions of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects |publisher=Conways Maritime Press |orig-year=1947 |year=1983 |isbn=978-0-85177-284-4}}
* {{cite journal |first=R. |last=Baker |title=Ships of the Invasion Fleet |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects |year=1947 |volume=89 |pages=59–72}}
* {{cite book |first=D. K. |last=Brown |title=Nelson to Vanguard: Warship Design and Development 1923–1945 |year=2000 |location=London |publisher=Chatham |isbn=978-1-86176-136-1}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Brown |editor-first=D. K |title=The Design and Construction of British Warships 1939–1945, The Official Record |volume=3: Amphibious Warfare Vessels and Auxiliaries |publisher=Conway Maritime Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-85177-675-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Carter |first=Geoffrey |title=Crises Do Happen – The Royal Navy And Operation Musketeer, Suez 1956 |publisher=Maritime Books |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-90445-924-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Cowsill |first=Miles |title=By Road Across The Sea – The History of Atlantic Steam Navigation Company |publisher=Ferry Publications |year=1990 |isbn=978-1-871947-07-6}}
* {{cite book|last1=Gardiner|first1=Robert|last2=Chumbley|first2=Stephen|last3=Budzbon|first3=Przemysław|title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947-1995|publisher=Naval Institute Press|year=1995|location=Annapolis, Maryland|isbn=9781557501325}}
* {{cite book |last=Ladd |first=J. D. |title=Assault From The Sea 1939–1945 |publisher=David & Charles |year=1976 |isbn=978-0-7153-6937-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Lenton |first=H. T. |title=Warships of the British and Commonwealth Navies |publisher=Ian Allan Publishing |orig-year=1966 |year=1971 |edition=3rd |isbn=978-0-71100-260-9}}
* {{cite book |last=Lovering |first=Tristan |title=Amphibious Assault, Manoeuvre from the Sea |year=2005 |publisher=Seafarer Books |isbn=978-0-95502-435-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Macdermott |first=Brian |title=Ships Without Names – The Story of The Royal Navy's Tank Landing Ships in World War Two |publisher=Arms & Armour |year=1992 |isbn=978-1-85409-126-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Marriott |first=Leo |title=Royal Navy Aircraft Carriers 1945–1990 |publisher=Ian Allan |year=1985 |isbn=978-0-7110-1561-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Rottman |first=Gordon L. |title=Landing Ship Tank (LST) 1942–2002 |series=New Vanguard No. 115 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-84176-923-3}}
* {{cite book|last=Saunders|first=Stephen|title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2009-2010|publisher=Jane's Information Group|year=2009|isbn=978-0710628886}}
* {{cite book |last=Speller |first=Ian |title=The Role of Amphibious warfare in British Defence Policy, 1945–56 |series=Cormorant Security Series |publisher=Palgrave |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-333-80097-3}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Webb |first1=R. H |title=Question 10/90 (Canadian LST(3)s) |journal=Warship International |date=1991 |volume=XXVIII |issue=1 |pages=87–90 |issn=0043-0374}}
{{DANFS}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Tank landing ships}}
* [http://www.combinedops.com/LST%20HMS%20Misoa.htm HMS Misoa – Landing Ship Tank (LST)]
* [http://www.evansvillecvb.org/attractions/lst-325 Ship Tour LST325 in Evansville, Indiana]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/amphib/lst.htm ''DANFS'': Tank Landing Ships (LST)]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/16idx.htm NavSource Online: Tank Landing Ship (LST) Index]
* [http://www.insidelst.com/ InsideLST.com] – a selection of information on the construction, complement, &c of LSTs, mostly taken from ''LST-325''
* [http://www.uslst.org/ United States LST Association website]
* [http://gatorforce.com/ The American Amphibious Forces Association] – information about later classes of LSTs
* [http://www.lstmemorial.org/ The US LST Ship Memorial] – A preserved and operational LST from World War II – LST 325
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTSqhCdgwrI LST Story] Film: the building and launch of Tank Landing Ship ''Coconino County'' (LST-603) during World War II.

{{LST-1 class tank landing ship}}
{{LST-491 class tank landing ship}}
{{LST-542 class tank landing ship}}
{{Talbot County class tank landing ship}}
{{Terrebonne Parish-class tank landing ships}}
{{De Soto County class tank landing ships}}
{{Newport-class tank landing ships}}
{{Warship types of the 19th & 20th centuries}}
{{MARCOMships}}

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[[Category:Tank landing ships| ]]
[[Category:World War II amphibious warfare vessels of the United States| ]]
[[Category:Amphibious warfare vessels]]
[[Category:Landing craft]]
[[Category:LST-542-class tank landing ships]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced from 1940 to 1944]]
[[Category:Ship classes of the French Navy]]