USS LST-851

USS LST-851 was an LST-542-class tank landing ship in the United States Navy. Like many of her class, she was not named and is properly referred to by her hull designation.

History
United States
Name	USS LST-851
Laid down	10 August 1944
Launched	8 November 1944
Commissioned	30 November 1944
Decommissioned	24 April 1946
Fate	Sold, 30 September 1946
Stricken	8 May 1946
Honours and awards	one battle star
Argentina
Name	ARA BDT-1/Q41
Acquired	14 November 1948
Out of service	1968
Identification	IMO number: 5402021
General characteristics
Class and type	LST-542-class LST
Displacement	1,490 tons (light); 4,080 tons (full load of 2,100 tons)
Length	328 ft (100 m)
Beam	50 ft (15 m)
Draft	8 ft (2.4 m) forward; 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m) aft (full load)
Propulsion	Two diesel engines, two shafts
Speed	10.8 knots (20 km/h) (max); 9 knots (17 km/h) (econ)
Complement	7 officers, 204 enlisted
Armament	8 × 40 mm guns; 12 × 20 mm guns

History

LST-851 was laid down on 10 August 1944 at Seneca, Illinois, by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Co.; launched on 8 November 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Gertrude B. Van Trigt; and commissioned on 30 November 1944.

During World War II, LST-851 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto in May 1945. Following the war, the ship performed occupation duty in the Far East until mid-October 1945. She returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 24 April 1946 and struck from the Navy list on 8 May that same year. On 30 September 1946, LST-851 was sold to the Northwest Merchandising Service, Seattle, Wash.

LST-851 earned one battle star for World War II service.

Argentine service

The final disposition is uncertain, but it is likely that LST-851 went to Argentina, where she was redesignated ARA BDT-1 (Buque Desembarco de Tanques), and later redesignated Q41.

Some confusion exists concerning whether BDT-1 was LST-851 or LST-875; however, sources indicate that LST-875 went to the Philippines.

References

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

Bibliography

• Friedman, Norman (2002). US Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-250-1.

External links

• history.navy.mil: USS LST-851
• navsource.org: USS LST-851