USS LST-521

For the cargo ship and troop transport USS Cape May, see USS Cape May (ID-3520).
History
Name: USS LST-521
Namesake: Cape May County
Builder: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, Seneca, Illinois
Laid down: 4 October 1943
Launched: 13 December 1943
Commissioned: 3 January 1944
Decommissioned: 21 October 1945
Renamed: USS Cape May County (LST-521), 1 July 1955
Struck: 1 November 1959
Honors and
awards:		 1 battle star (World War II)
General characteristics
Class and type: LST-491-class tank landing ship
Displacement:
  • 1,625 long tons (1,651 t) light
  • 3,640 long tons (3,698 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
Propulsion: 2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed: 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried:		 Two LCVPs
Troops: approx. 130 officers and enlisted
Complement: 8-10 officers, 89-100 enlisted men
Armament:

USS Cape May County (LST-521) was an LST-491-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Cape May County, New Jersey, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

LST-521 was laid down on 4 October 1943 at Seneca, Illinois by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company; launched on 13 December 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Ruth Sexton; and commissioned on 9 February 1944 with Lieutenant J. J. Kilthau in command.

During World War II, USS LST-521 was assigned to the European Theater and participated in the Invasion of Normandy in June 1944. Upon her return to the United States, she was decommissioned on 21 October 1945.

Later reactivated (date unknown), assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) and placed in service as USNS T-LST-521, the tank landing ship was placed out of service (date unknown) and redesignated USS Cape May County (LST-521) on 1 July 1955. The ship was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 November 1959.

LST-521 earned one battle star for World War II service.

References

See also

LST-521, LSM-297 and Krishna (ARL-38) during "Operation Blue Jay" (the construction of Thule Air Force Base in Greenland, c. 1950.


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