USS LST-480

USS LST-480 burned out and grounded on Intrepid Point, West Loch, on 22 May 1944. Note the especially extensive damage to the LST's after part and to her starboard bow area. A pontoon causeway is floating along LST-480's starboard side, and the Coast Guard Cutter Woodbine (WAGL-289) is nosed in at her stern. Date 21 May 1944
History
Name:	USS LST-480
Builder:	Kaiser Cargo, Inc., Richmond, CA.
Laid down:	31 August 1942
Launched:	29 October 1942
Commissioned:	3 May 1943
Out of service:	21 May 1944
Struck:	18 July 1944
Honors and awards:	2 battle stars
Fate:	Sunk by acidental explosion of ammunition
General characteristics
Class & type:	LST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement:	1,625 long tons (1,651 t) light 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full
Length:	328 ft (100 m)
Beam:	50 ft (15 m)
Draft:	Unloaded : 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) forward 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) aft Loaded : 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
Depth:	8 ft (2.4 m) forward 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m) aft (full load)
Propulsion:	2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed:	12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing craft carried:	2 or 6 LCVPs
Troops:	Approximately 140 officers and enlisted men
Complement:	7-9 officers, 104-120 enlisted men
Armament:	2 × twin 40 mm gun mounts w/Mk. 51 directors 4 × single 40 mm gun mounts 12 × single 20 mm gun mounts

LST-480 was an LST-1-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II.

LST-480 was laid down on 31 August 1942 at Richmond, California by Kaiser Cargo, Inc.; launched on 29 October 1942 ; and commissioned on 3 May 1943.

It was sunk on 21 May 1944 when a series of explosions which began on LST-353, sparked the West Loch Disaster in Pearl Harbor naval base. The rusting partially beached hulk of LST-480 is the only visible remainder of the disaster.

World War II Pacific Theatre operations

During World War II, LST-480 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations:

• Gilbert Islands operation: Capture and occupation of Gilbert Islands, 13 November to 8 December 1943.
• Marshall Islands operation: Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls, 29 January to 8 February 1944.

Accident

Main article: West Loch Disaster

On 21 May 1944 she was sunk by internal explosion onboard LST-353, while moored in West Loch at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 18 July 1944.

Five other LSTs were so damaged from the fire caused by the explosion that they too sank, including LST-43, LST-69, LST-179, and LST-480. Two others were severely damaged. In all 163 sailors were killed; 396 wounded.

The wreck can still be seen in West Loch

LST-480 earned two battle stars for World War II service.

The rusting remains of LST-480.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.