Newport-class tank landing ship

Template:Infobox ship imageTemplate:Infobox ship class overviewTemplate:Infobox ship characteristics

Newport-class tank landing ships were an improved class of tank landing ship (LST) designed for and employed by the United States Navy from 1969 to 2002. The ships were intended to provide substantial advantages over their World War II-era predecessors. Larger and faster than any previous LST design, they carried a ramp over the bow that allowed them to surpass Template:Convert, a goal of the United States amphibious forces. 27 were planned of which twenty were completed, the high number due to the demands of US force projection estimates. However, the arrival of the air-cushioned landing craft which allowed for over-the-horizon attacks made the class obsolete in the eyes of the United States Navy. Placed in reserve, twelve were eventually sold to foreign navies, while the remaining eight have since been decommissioned.

Design and description

File:US Navy 960329-N-8167A-050 LST taking on U.S. Marines and hardware.jpg

USS Frederick with its bow ramp extended

File:USS Racine (LST-1191) portside bow view cropped.jpg

USS Racine bow view with bow ramp sitting on deck

The Newport class were designed under project SCB 247Template:Sfn to meet the goal put forward by the United States amphibious forces to have a tank landing ship (LST) capable of over Template:Convert. However, the traditional bow door form for LSTs would not be capable of such speed. Therefore, the designers of the Newport class came up with a design of a traditional ship hull with a Template:Convert aluminum ramp slung over the bow supported by two derrick arms. The Template:Convert ramp was capable of sustaining loads up to Template:Convert. This made the Newport class the first to depart from the standard LST design that had been developed in early World War II.Template:SfnTemplate:SfnTemplate:Sfn

LSTs of the Newport class had a displacement of Template:Convert when light and Template:Convert at full load. They were Template:Convert long overall and Template:Convert over the derrick arms which protruded past the bow.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn They had a beam of Template:Convert, a draft forward of Template:Convert and Template:Convert at the stern at full load.Template:Sfn

The first three ships of the class were fitted with six General Motors 16-645-ES diesel engines, while the remainder of the class were fitted with six ALCO 16-251 diesel engines turning two shafts, three to each shaft. The system was rated at Template:Convert and gave the ships a maximum speed of Template:Convert for short periods and could only sustain Template:Convert for an extended length of time. The LSTs carried Template:Convert of diesel fuel for a range of Template:Convert at the cruising speed of Template:Convert. The ships were also equipped with a bow thruster to allow for better maneuvering near causeways and to hold position while offshore during the unloading of amphibious vehicles.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

The Newport class were larger and faster than previous LSTs and were able to transport tanks, heavy vehicles and engineer groups and supplies that were too large for helicopters or smaller landing craft to carry.Template:Sfn The LSTs have a ramp forward of the superstructure that connects the lower tank deck with the main deck and a passage large enough to allow access to the parking area amidships. The vessels are also equipped with a stern gate to allow the unloading of amphibious vehicles directly into the water or to unload onto a utility landing craft (LCU) or pier. At either end of the tank deck there is a Template:Convert turntable that permits vehicles to turn around without having to reverse.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn The Newport class has the capacity for Template:Convert of vehicles, Template:Convert of cargo area and could carry up to 431 troops.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn The vessels also have davits for four vehicle and personnel landing craft (LCVPs) and could carry four pontoon causeway sections along the sides of the hull.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

The Newport class were initially armed with four Mark 33 [[3"/50 caliber gun|Template:Convert/50 caliber guns]] in two twin turrets. They were equipped with two Mk 63 gun control fire systems (GCFS) for the 3-inch guns, but these were removed in 1977–1978.Template:Sfn They also had SPS-10 surface search radar.Template:Sfn Atop the stern gate, the vessels mounted a helicopter deck. They had a maximum complement of 213 including 11 officers.Template:Sfn

United States service

Construction and career

File:USS San Bernardino (LST-1189) during landing exercise in 1979.JPEG

USS San Bernardino during a landing exercise in 1979

The first vessel of the class, Newport was ordered as part of Fiscal Year (FY) 1965. The next eight were authorized in FY 1966, followed by eleven in 1967. The first three LSTs were constructed by Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the remaining seventeen by National Steel and Shipbuilding of San Diego, California. Seven more were ordered in FY 1971, but these were later deferred, then canceled.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Beginning in FY 1981, ships of the class were transferred to the Naval Reserve Force.Template:Sfn

File:USS Spartanburg County (LST-1192) aft view returning from Operation Desert Storm.jpg

Aft view of Spartanburg County returning from Operation Desert Storm, 1991

By 1994, the 3-inch guns had been removed as a weight saving measure. The 1987 introduction of Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCACs) — which allowed the United States Navy to launch over-the-horizon amphibious landings — made the Newport class obsolete, but they remained with the fleet for another decade because they were the only means by which the hundreds of thousands of gallons of motor vehicle fuel needed by a Marine Expeditionary Force could be landed. Only the development of tankers with the Offshore Petroleum Discharge System (OPDS) and the later development of special fuel bladders which gave the LCACs a tanker capability allowed for their retirement.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

Ships in class

Newport classTemplate:Sfn
Hull No.	Ship name	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Decommissioned	Fate
LST-1179	Template:USS	Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	1 November 1966	3 February 1968	7 June 1969	1992	Sold to Mexican Navy as ARM Papaloapan
LST-1180	Template:USS		1 February 1967	4 June 1969	24 January 1970	1993	Sold to Republic of China Navy in Taiwan as Chung Ho
LST-1181	Template:USS		14 November 1967	13 December 1969	20 June 1970	1993	Sold to Republic of China Navy in Taiwan as Chung Ping
LST-1182	Template:USS	National Steel and Shipbuilding, San Diego, California	16 December 1967	28 September 1968	22 November 1969	1993	Disposed of in support of fleet training exercise, 15 September 2014
LST-1183	Template:USS		22 February 1968	23 November 1968	21 February 1970	1994	Disposed of in support of fleet training exercise, 7 December 2004
LST-1184	Template:USS		13 April 1968	8 March 1969	11 April 1970	2002	Sold to Mexican Navy as ARM Usumacinta on 22 November 2002
LST-1185	Template:USS		2 August 1968	24 May 1969	13 June 1970	1993	Disposed of in support of fleet training exercise on 13 November 2004
LST-1186	Template:USS		28 September 1968	12 July 1969	8 August 1970	1994	Sold to Brazilian Navy as Mattoso Maia, decommissioned in 2023.
LST-1187	Template:USS		23 November 1968	6 September 1969	24 October 1970	1993	Sunk as target, July 2014
LST-1188	Template:USS		24 May 1969	7 February 1970	23 January 1971	1994	Sold to Royal Australian Navy as Template:HMAS, 1994
LST-1189	Template:USS		12 July 1969	28 March 1970	27 March 1971	1995	Sold to Chilean Navy to as Valdivia
LST-1190	Template:USS		6 September 1969	22 May 1970	4 June 1971	1994	Towed to Brownsville for scrapping 16 March 2022.
LST-1191	Template:USS		13 December 1969	15 August 1970	9 July 1971	1993	Sunk as a target on 12 July 2018
LST-1192	Template:USS		7 February 1970	11 November 1970	1 September 1971	1994	Sold to Royal Malaysian Navy as KD Sri Inderapura
LST-1193	Template:USS		28 March 1970	19 December 1970	16 October 1971	1994	Sold to Royal Australian Navy as Template:HMAS, 1994
LST-1194	Template:USS		22 May 1970	13 February 1971	18 December 1971	2000	Disposed of in support of fleet training exercise on 10 July 2001
LST-1195	Template:USS		15 August 1970	15 May 1971	12 February 1972	1992	Disposed of in support of fleet training exercise on 6 April 2004
LST-1196	Template:USS		7 November 1970	24 July 1971	8 April 1972	1995	Sold to Spanish Navy as Pizarro, decommissioned in 2012
LST-1197	Template:USS		19 December 1970	2 October 1971	27 May 1972	1994	Sold to Spanish Navy as Hernán Cortés, decommissioned in 2009
LST-1198	Template:USS		13 February 1971	4 December 1971	5 August 1972	1994	Sold to Royal Moroccan Navy as Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah

Export service

Australia

File:Manoora tugboats 2.jpg

Manoora post conversion

Two LSTs were acquired by the Royal Australian Navy in 1994; Sagainaw on 25 August and Fairfax County on 27 September. Renamed Kanimbla and Manoora, the two vessels underwent conversion in May 1995 at Forgacs Shipbuilding, Newcastle, New South Wales. The LSTs were significantly modified by removing their bow ramps and adding another deck over the bow of the ship, allowing for a third landing spot and increased aviation fuel capacity. Over the new deck two LCM-8 landing craft are carried when the third landing spot is not used, handled by a 70-ton crane. Improved medical facilities were constructed. A hangar was installed aft, allowing for the stowage of four Seahawk helicopters.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Both ships were based at Sydney, Australia.Template:Sfn The two vessels were taken out of service in 2011 and replaced by Template:HMAS and the Template:Sclasss.

Ships in class

Kanimbla classTemplate:Sfn
Pennant No.	Ship name	Commissioned	Decommissioned	Fate
L 51	Template:HMAS	29 August 1994	25 November 2011	Sold for scrap and broken up at New Orleans, Louisiana in October 2013.
L 52	Template:HMAS	25 November 1994	27 May 2011

Brazil

The Brazilian Navy leased one Newport-class LST from the United States on 26 August 1994. Cayuga was renamed Mattoso Maia and arrived in October. The vessel was acquired outright on 19 September 2000. Negotiations for a second vessel, Peoria, were unsuccessfully ended in 2001.Template:Sfn

Ships in class

Mattoso MaiaTemplate:Sfn
Pennant No.	Ship name	Commissioned	Decommissioned	Fate
G 28		30 August 1994	31 October 2023

Chile

The Chilean Navy leased one vessel of the class from the US. A second was offered, but the ship's poor condition led to it being rejected. San Bernardino was leased on 30 September 1995 and renamed Valdivia. In 1997, the LST ran aground and was damaged. Valdivia was refloated and repaired.Template:Sfn Due to the age of the vessel, Valdivia was taken out of service on 14 January 2011.

Ships in class

ValdiviaTemplate:Sfn
Pennant No.	Ship name	Commissioned	Decommissioned	Fate
93		30 September 1995	14 January 2011

Malaysia

The Royal Malaysian Navy acquired one Newport-class LST from the United States on 16 December 1994. A second was to be leased in 1998, but the option was not taken up. Spartanburg County arrived in Malaysia in June 1995 and was renamed KD Sri Inderapura. The vessel was refit between 1995 and 1998 at Johore. On 15 December 2002, the ship was damaged by fire.Template:Sfn On 8 October 2009, while berthed at the Lumut Naval Base, Sri Inderapura caught fire and sank. The vessel was later raised. Sri Inderapura was officially decommissioned by the Royal Malaysian Navy on 21 January 2010.

Ships in class

Sri InderapuraTemplate:Sfn
Pennant No.	Ship name	Commissioned	Decommissioned	Fate
1505		1995	21 January 2010	Caught fire and sank on 8 October 2009.

Mexico

File:US Navy 050909-N-8154G-180 The Mexican Navy amphibious ship Papaloapan (P-411) sits off the coast of Mississippi preparing to assist with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts along the Gulf Coast.jpg

Papaloapan off the coast of Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina.

Mexico acquired two ships from the United States. Newport was purchased on 18 January 2001 and renamed Sonora by the Mexican Navy, before becoming Rio Papaloapan. Frederick was purchased on 9 December 2002 and renamed Usumacinta.Template:Sfn Rio Papaloapan is based at Tampico and Usumacinta at Manzanillo.Template:Sfn

Ships in class

Newport classTemplate:Sfn
Hull No.	Ship name	Commissioned	Decommissioned	Fate
A411 (ex-A-04)	(ex-Sonora)	23 May 2001
A412		9 December 2002

Morocco

The Royal Moroccan Navy acquired one ship from the United States as a grant transfer on 16 August 1994. Bristol County was renamed Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah upon entering Moroccan service. The LST was acquired to replace the aging . By late 1995, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah was considered non-operational but was later returned to service.Template:Sfn

Ships in class

Sidi Mohammed Ben AbdallahTemplate:Sfn
Pennant No.	Ship name	Commissioned	Decommissioned	Fate
407		1995	2010	Sunk as a target in May 2013

Spain

Two ships were leased by the Spanish Navy from the United States. The first, Barnstable County was recommissioned into the Spanish Navy on 26 August 1994 and renamed Hernán Cortés. The second, Harlan County, recommissioned on 14 April 1995 and was renamed Pizarro. Both ships were based at Rota, Spain.Template:Sfn Hernán Cortés was initially to be decommissioned in 2006, but continued until 2009, when the vessel was taken out of service. The LST was scrapped at Arinaga, Gran Canaria, Spain in 2014.Template:Sfn Pizarro was decommissioned in December 2012 and sold for scrap in February 2016 and was broken up in El Puerto de Santa Maria beginning in March.

Ships in class

Newport classTemplate:Sfn
Hull No.	Ship name	Commissioned	Decommissioned	Fate
L 41		26 August 1994	2009	Broken up for scrap at Arinaga, Gran Canaria, Spain 2014
L 42		14 April 1995	December 2012	Broken up for scrap in Cadiz, Spain in March 2016

Taiwan

File:ROCN LST-232 at Port of Kaohsiung 20161217.jpg

at the Port of Kaohsiung in 2016

Two ships were leased by the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) from the United States on 1 July 1995. Manitowoc and Sumter were taken to Newport News Shipbuilding and refitted before being recommissioned into the ROCN on 8 May 1997 and renamed Chung Ho and Chung Ping respectively. The two ships were purchased on 29 September 2000.Template:Sfn

Ships in class

Newport classTemplate:Sfn
Hull No.	Ship name	Commissioned	Decommissioned	Fate
232		8 May 1997
233

See also

• Template:Sclass

External links

• Federation of American Scientists page on Newport class