USS Manitowoc
LST-1180
“Home of the Great Spirit”
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Our History
General Information
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The second of twenty ships in the NEWPORT class of Tank Landing Ships (LST)
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Awarded 29 December, 1965
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Keel laid 27 February, 1967
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Launched 4 January 1969
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Commissioned USS Manitowoc (LST-1180) 24 January 1970
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Decommissioned 30 June 1993
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Builder: Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, PA
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Last homeport: Little Creek, VA
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Leased to the Republic of China, 10 July 1996, renamed ROCS Chung Ho (LST-232)
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Commissioned into Republic of China Navy, 8 May 1997
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Struck from the Naval Register and simultaneously sold to Taiwan, 29 September 2000
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Current disposition - active in the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy
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USS Manitowoc earned two campaign stars for service during the Vietnam War
Campaigns & Dates
• Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VII 27 to 29 March 1971
19 to 21 June 1971
• Vietnam Ceasefire 27 April to 31 May 1972
9 June to 3 July 1972
9 July to 26 August 1972
31 August to 1 September 1972
29 September to 21 October 1972
• Urgent Fury (Grenada) 23 October to 21 November 1983
• Desert Shield / Desert Storm 8 September 1990 to 23 March 1991
Awards
Top Row - Navy Unit Commendation (2)
Second Row - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (7) - Navy Expeditionary Medal (2-Lebanon) - National Defense Service Medal
Third Row - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1-Grenada, 1-Lebanon) - Vietnam Service Medal (2) - Southwest Asia Service Medal
Fourth Row - Humanitarian Service Medal (2-Beirut Lebanon Evacuation) - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal - Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
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Specifications
Twin "derrick arms" support a thirty-ton, cable-supported 112-foot bow ramp for the unloading of tanks and other vehicles ashore, replacing the traditional bow-door design of earlier LSTs. Vehicles from the tank deck debark via a "between decks ramp." Other features include a sliding cargo hatch, causeway pads, and stern anchor. Amphibious vehicles may also be launched from the tank deck via a stern gate. The flight deck can accomodate most Navy and Marine Corps helicopters of the period.
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Displacement: 5,190 tons (lt), 8,550 tons (fl)
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Length: 522' 3" (overall)
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Beam: 69' 9 1/2" (max)
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Draft: max forward (fl) 13' 6", max aft (fl) 16' 3" 15'
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Speed: 27 knots max.
Complement:
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CREW: 14 Officers, 15 CPO, 226 Enlisted
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TROOPS: 18 Officers, 21 SNCOs, 268 Enlisted
Boats:
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3 36' LCVPs (Landing Craft, Vehicle Personnel)
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1 36' LCPL (Landing Craft, Personnel)
Aircraft:
Armament: (as built)
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2 twin 3" 50 dual purpose gun mounts
Armament: (upgraded)
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2 .25mm chain guns
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6 .50 cal machine guns
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1 20mm Phalanx (CIWS)
Propulsion:
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Twin shafts, three engines per shaft; SHP 16,000
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1 800 HP electric bowthruster
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