Newport-class tank-landing ships are an improved class of American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 tank-landing ship (LST), intended to provide substantial advantages over their World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

-era predecessors. Of the twenty completed, four were sunk as targets, four were retained as inactive reserves and the rest were sold to foreign navies.

Class description

Twenty ships of the Newport tank landing ship class were built to replace the traditional bow door design LST

Tank landing ship

Landing Ship, Tank was the military designation for naval vessels created during World War II to support amphibious operations by carrying significant quantities of vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly onto an unimproved shore....

.

The Newport class has higher speeds and trimmer lines than the LSTs of World War II. The vessels have two huge derricks used to extend and retract a bow ramp. The 110 feet (34 m) ramp has a 75-ton capacity.

The Newport class is the first amphibious

Amphibious warfare

Amphibious warfare is the use of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to project military power ashore. In previous eras it stood as the primary method of delivering troops to non-contiguous enemy-held terrain...

 ship to be fitted with an internal side propulsion unit located below the waterline near the bow. The bow thruster

Bow thruster

A bow thruster is a transversal propulsion device built into, or mounted to, the bow of a ship or boat to make it more maneuverable. Bow thrusters make docking easier, since they allow the captain to turn the vessel to port or starboard without using the main propulsion mechanism which requires...

 allows the bow to be pushed from side to side while the stern remains nearly stationary.

This class of LST also has a stern gate. It allows them to load and launch amphibious assault vehicles, and permits sterngate marriages with Landing Craft Utility

Landing Craft Utility

The Landing Craft Utility is a type of boat used by amphibious forces to transport equipment and troops to the shore. They are capable of transporting tracked or wheeled vehicles and troops from amphibious assault ships to beachheads or piers....

 (LCU) units.

Units

Ship Name	Hull No.	Builder	Commission– Decommission	Fate	Link
Newport USS Newport (LST-1179) The USS Newport was the third ship to bear the name of the Rhode Island city. The first of her class of LSTs, she was capable of a sustained speed of...	LST-1179	Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Philadelphia Naval Shipyard The Philadelphia Naval Business Center, formerly known as the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and Philadelphia Navy Yard, was the first naval shipyard of the United States. The U.S. Navy reduced its activities there in the 1990s, and ended most of them on September 30, 1995...	1969–1992	Sold to Mexican Navy Mexican Navy The Mexican Navy is the naval branch of the Mexican military responsible for conducting naval operations. Its stated mission is "to use the naval force of the federation for the exterior defense, and to help with internal order". The Navy consists of about 56,000 men and women plus reserves, over...  as Papaloapan (ARM A-411)	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1179.htm
Manitowoc USS Manitowoc (LST-1180) USS Manitowoc was the second ship of the Newport class LST in the United States Navy. Built at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard...	LST-1180	Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Philadelphia Naval Shipyard The Philadelphia Naval Business Center, formerly known as the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and Philadelphia Navy Yard, was the first naval shipyard of the United States. The U.S. Navy reduced its activities there in the 1990s, and ended most of them on September 30, 1995...	1970–1993	Sold to Republic of China Navy Republic of China Navy The Republic of China Navy is the maritime branch of the Armed forces of the Republic of China . The ROC Navy's primary mission is to defend ROC territories and the sea lanes that surround Taiwan against a blockade, attack, or possible invasion by forces of the People's Republic of China...  as ChongHe (LST-232)	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1180.htm
Sumter USS Sumter (LST-1181) USS Sumter was the third ship of the twenty ship , which replaced the traditional bow door design LST. Two derrick arms support a capacity, long bow ramp for the unloading of tanks and other vehicles ashore, additionally, amphibious vehicles can be launched from the tank deck via the ship's...	LST-1181	Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Philadelphia Naval Shipyard The Philadelphia Naval Business Center, formerly known as the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and Philadelphia Navy Yard, was the first naval shipyard of the United States. The U.S. Navy reduced its activities there in the 1990s, and ended most of them on September 30, 1995...	1970–1993	Sold to Republic of China Navy Republic of China Navy The Republic of China Navy is the maritime branch of the Armed forces of the Republic of China . The ROC Navy's primary mission is to defend ROC territories and the sea lanes that surround Taiwan against a blockade, attack, or possible invasion by forces of the People's Republic of China...  as ChongPing (LST-233)	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1181.htm
Fresno USS Fresno (LST-1182) USS Fresno was the 4th ship in the Newport class tank landing ships. Fresno was named for a city and county in California. She was laid down on 16 December 1967 at San Diego, California, by the National Steel & Shipbuilding Company; launched on 28 September 1968; sponsored by Mrs. Marilyn Hyde; and...	LST-1182	National Steel & SB National Steel and Shipbuilding Company National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...	1969–1993	Proposed for transfer to the Peruvian Navy Peruvian Navy The Peruvian Navy is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with surveillance, patrol and defense on lakes, rivers and the Pacific Ocean up to 200 nautical miles from the Peruvian littoral...  from inactive reserve	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1182.htm
Peoria USS Peoria (LST-1183) USS Peoria was a Newport class tank landing ship in commission in the United States Navy from 1970 to 1994, and sunk as a target in 2004 near Hawaii....	LST-1183	National Steel & SB National Steel and Shipbuilding Company National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...	1970–1994	Disposed of in support of Fleet training exercise, 7/12/2004	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1183.htm
Frederick USS Frederick (LST-1184) USS Frederick is a Newport class tank landing ship that was named after the city of Frederick, Maryland and Frederick County, Maryland. She was laid down on 13 April 1968 at San Diego, California, by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company; launched on 8 March 1969; sponsored by Mrs. Kleber S....	LST-1184	National Steel & SB National Steel and Shipbuilding Company National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...	1970–2002	Sold to Mexican Navy Mexican Navy The Mexican Navy is the naval branch of the Mexican military responsible for conducting naval operations. Its stated mission is "to use the naval force of the federation for the exterior defense, and to help with internal order". The Navy consists of about 56,000 men and women plus reserves, over...  as Usumacinta (ARM A-412), 11/22/2002	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1184.htm
Schenectady USS Schenectady (LST-1185) The USS Schenectady was the fifth Newport class tank landing ship built. She was delivered to the Navy on 1 May 1970 and commissioned on 13 June....	LST-1185	National Steel & SB National Steel and Shipbuilding Company National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...	1970–1993	Disposed of in support of Fleet training exercise, 11/23/2004	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1185.htm
Cayuga USS Cayuga (LST-1186) The third USS Cayuga was a Newport-class tank landing ship in the United States Navy. She was named after a county in New York....	LST-1186	National Steel & SB National Steel and Shipbuilding Company National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...	1970–1994	Sold to Brazilian Navy Brazilian Navy The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...  as NDCC Mattoso Maia (G-28)	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1186.htm
Tuscaloosa USS Tuscaloosa (LST-1187) USS Tuscaloosa , the ninth of the s, and the second ship of the United States Navy to be named after the city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama....	LST-1187	National Steel & SB National Steel and Shipbuilding Company National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...	1970–1993	Inactive reserve, 2/18/1994. Proposed for transfer to the Chilean Navy Chilean Navy -Independence Wars of Chile and Peru :The Chilean Navy dates back to 1817. A year before, following the Battle of Chacabuco, General Bernardo O'Higgins prophetically declared "this victory and another hundred shall be of no significance if we do not gain control of the sea".This led to the... .	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1187.htmhttp://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s3847/text
Saginaw USS Saginaw (LST-1188) USS Saginaw , a of the United States Navy was the second ship of that name. Saginaw was named after the Saginaw River, a river in mid-Michigan...	LST-1188	National Steel & SB National Steel and Shipbuilding Company National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...	1971–1994	Sold to Royal Australian Navy Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...  as HMAS Kanimbla HMAS Kanimbla (L-51) HMAS Kanimbla is the lead ship of the Kanimbla class Landing Platform Amphibious. Laid down in 1969 for the United States Navy as Newport class tank landing ship USS Saginaw, the ship was acquired by the Royal Australian Navy in 1994 for conversion into a amphibious warfare transport ship.Since...	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1188.htm
San Bernardino USS San Bernardino (LST-1189) USS San Bernardino was the eleventh of twenty s built for the United States Navy in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Named after the City of San Bernardino, California, she was the only U.S...	LST-1189	National Steel & SB National Steel and Shipbuilding Company National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...	1971–1995	Sold to Chilean Navy Chilean Navy -Independence Wars of Chile and Peru :The Chilean Navy dates back to 1817. A year before, following the Battle of Chacabuco, General Bernardo O'Higgins prophetically declared "this victory and another hundred shall be of no significance if we do not gain control of the sea".This led to the...  to as Valdivia (LST 93)	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1189.htm
Boulder USS Boulder (LST-1190) The USS Boulder was named after a county and city in Colorado. She was laid down on 6 September 1969 at San Diego, CA, by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, launched on 22 April 1970 , and commissioned on 4 June 1971 with Commander B. A. Troutman, Jr., in command...	LST-1190	National Steel & SB National Steel and Shipbuilding Company National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...	1971–1994	Inactive reserve, 2/28/1994. Proposed for transfer to the Royal Moroccan Navy Royal Moroccan Navy The Royal Navy of Morocco is a branch of the military of Morocco responsible of conducting naval operations.The Royal Moroccan Navy is administratively managed by the Adminsitration of Defence, which is commanded by King Mohammed VI - Mission :The Royal Moroccan Navy is part of the Moroccan Armed... .	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1190.htmhttp://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s3847/text
Racine USS Racine (LST-1191) The USS Racine was the second ship to bear the name of the Wisconsin city. She was capable of a sustained speed of . Her ability to adjust her draft, accompanied by her unique bow-ramp design, helped bring a new degree of responsiveness to the amphibious fleet.Racine was laid down by the National...	LST-1191	National Steel & SB National Steel and Shipbuilding Company National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...	1971–1993	Proposed for transfer to the Peruvian Navy Peruvian Navy The Peruvian Navy is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with surveillance, patrol and defense on lakes, rivers and the Pacific Ocean up to 200 nautical miles from the Peruvian littoral...  from inactive reserve	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1191.htm
Spartanburg County USS Spartanburg County (LST-1192) USS Spartanburg County was a United States Navy Newport class tank landing ship.Spartanburg County was named after a county in South Carolina. She was laid down on February 7, 1970 at San Diego, California, by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company; launched on November 7, 1970; sponsored...	LST-1192	National Steel & SB National Steel and Shipbuilding Company National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...	1971–1994	Sold to Royal Malaysian Navy Royal Malaysian Navy The Royal Malaysian Navy is the naval arm of Malaysian Armed Forces. All commissioned ships of the RMN have the prefix KD , which means Royal Ship.-Straits Settlement Naval Volunteer Reserve:...  as KD Sri Indera Pura (A-1505)	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1192.htm
Fairfax County USS Fairfax County (LST-1193) USS Fairfax County was a United States Navy Newport class tank landing ship.Fairfax County was named for a county in Virginia. She was laid down on 28 March 1970 at San Diego, California, by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company; launched on 19 December 1970; sponsored by Mrs. James W....	LST-1193	National Steel & SB National Steel and Shipbuilding Company National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...	1971–1994	Sold to Royal Australian Navy Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...  as HMAS Manoora	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1193.htm
La Moure County USS La Moure County (LST-1194) USS La Moure County was the sixteenth of twenty built for the United States Navy in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Named after La Moure County, North Dakota, she was the second U.S...	LST-1194	National Steel & SB National Steel and Shipbuilding Company National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...	1971–2000	Disposed of in support of Fleet training exercise, 7/10/2001	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1194.htm
Barbour County USS Barbour County (LST-1195) USS Barbour County was the seventeenth ship of the s of the United States Navy.Named after Barbour County, Alabama and Barbour County, West Virginia. She was laid down on 7 November 1970 at San Diego, California, by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Corporation and launched on 15 May 1971,...	LST-1195	National Steel & SB National Steel and Shipbuilding Company National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...	1972–1992	Disposed of in support of Fleet training exercise, 4/06/2004	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1195.htm
Harlan County USS Harlan County (LST-1196) USS Harlan County was a United States Navy tank landing ship of the Newport-class.Harlan County was named after Harlan County, Kentucky as reflected in her unit patch. Her keel was laid on 7 November 1970 at San Diego, California, by the National Steel & Shipbuilding Co.; launched on 24 July...	LST-1196	National Steel & SB National Steel and Shipbuilding Company National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...	1972–1995	Sold to Spanish Navy Spanish Navy The Spanish Navy is the maritime branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, one of the oldest active naval forces in the world. The Armada is responsible for notable achievements in world history such as the discovery of Americas, the first world circumnavigation, and the discovery of a maritime path...  as Pizarro (L-42)	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1196.htm
Barnstable County USS Barnstable County (LST-1197) USS Barnstable County was named after Barnstable County, Massachusetts. She was laid down on 19 December 1970 at San Diego, California, by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Corporation; launched on 2 October 1971. Commander. Warren R...	LST-1197	National Steel & SB National Steel and Shipbuilding Company National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...	1972–1994	Sold to Spanish Navy Spanish Navy The Spanish Navy is the maritime branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, one of the oldest active naval forces in the world. The Armada is responsible for notable achievements in world history such as the discovery of Americas, the first world circumnavigation, and the discovery of a maritime path...  as Hernán Cortés (L-41)Decommissioned in 2009	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1197.htm
Bristol County USS Bristol County (LST-1198) USS Bristol County was a United States Navy Newport class tank landing ship.Bristol County was named after counties in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. She was laid down on 13 February 1971 at San Diego, California, by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company; launched on 4 December 1971;...	LST-1198	National Steel & SB National Steel and Shipbuilding Company National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, commonly referred to as NASSCO, is a shipyard in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia and a division of General Dynamics. The shipyard specializes in constructing commercial cargo ships and auxiliary vessels for the US Navy and Military Sealift...	1972–1994	Sold to Moroccan Navy as Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah (407)	http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1198.htm

See also

• Kanimbla class landing platform amphibious
  Kanimbla class landing platform amphibious
  The Kanimbla class is a class of amphibious transport ships operated by the Royal Australian Navy . Two ships were purchased by Australia in 1994 and modified...
  
  

External links

• Federation of American Scientists page on Newport class.