View source for USS La Moure County (LST-1194)

{{short description|Newport-class tank landing ship}}
{{other ships|USS La Moure County}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=La Moure County LST-1194.jpg
|Ship caption=USS ''La Moure County'' (LST-1194) underway
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag= {{USN flag|1995}}
|Ship name= USS ''La Moure County''
|Ship namesake=[[LaMoure County, North Dakota]]
|Ship awarded=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=[[National Steel and Shipbuilding Company]], [[San Diego, California]]
|Ship laid down=22 May 1970
|Ship launched=13 February 1971
|Ship commissioned=18 December 1971
|Ship decommissioned=17 November 2000
|Ship struck=17 November 2000
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship homeport=
|Ship motto=
|Ship identification=LST-1194
|Ship honors=
|Ship fate=Sunk as a target, 10 July 2001
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption= as built
|Ship class= {{sclass|Newport|tank landing ship}}
|Ship displacement=* {{convert|4793|LT|t|lk=on|abbr=on}} light
* {{convert|8342|LT|t|abbr=on}} full load
|Ship length=* {{convert|522|ft|4|in|m|abbr=on|1}} [[Length overall|oa]]
* {{convert|562|ft|m|abbr=on|1}} over [[derrick]] arms
|Ship beam= {{convert|69|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
|Ship draft= {{convert|17|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on|1}} max
|Ship propulsion=* 2 shafts
* 6 Alco [[diesel engine]]s (3 per shaft)
* {{convert|16500|shp|lk=in|abbr=on}}
* [[Bow thruster]]
|Ship speed= {{convert|22|kn|lk=in}} max
|Ship range= {{convert|2500|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|14|kn}}
|Ship complement= 213
|Ship troops= 431 max
|Ship sensors=* 2 × Mk 63 GCFS
* SPS-10 [[radar]]
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament= 2 × twin [[3"/50 caliber gun]]s
|Ship aircraft facilities= [[Helicopter deck]]
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

'''USS ''La Moure County'' (LST-1194)''' was the sixteenth of twenty {{sclass|Newport|tank landing ship}} of the [[United States Navy]] (USN) which replaced the traditional [[Bow (ship)|bow door]]-design tank landing ships (LSTs). The second vessel named after a [[LaMoure County, North Dakota|county]] in [[North Dakota]], the LST was constructed by [[National Steel and Shipbuilding Company]] of [[San Diego]], [[California]]. The vessel was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] and was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] into the USN in 1971. ''La Moure County'' alternated deployments in the [[Caribbean Sea]] with those to the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. During the [[Gulf War]], ''La Moure County'' transported elements of the [[4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade]] to the [[Persian Gulf]]. In 2000, the LST was taking part in a training exercise off Chile when the vessel ran aground. Considered beyond repair, ''La Moure County'' was [[Ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] that year and towed out to sea in 2001 and sunk as a [[target ship]].

==Design and description==
''La Moure County'' was a {{sclass|Newport|tank landing ship}} which were designed to meet the goal put forward by the United States [[Amphibious warfare|amphibious forces]] to have a tank landing ship (LST) capable of over {{convert|20|kn|lk=in}}. However, the traditional [[Bow (ship)|bow door]] form for LSTs would not be capable. Therefore, the designers of the ''Newport'' class came up with a design of a traditional [[Hull (watercraft)|ship hull]] with a {{convert|112|ft|m|adj=on}} [[aluminum]] ramp slung over the bow supported by two [[derrick]] arms. The {{convert|34|LT|t|lk=in|adj=on}} ramp was capable of sustaining loads up to {{convert|75|LT|t}}. This made the ''Newport'' class the first to depart from the standard LST design that had been developed in early [[World War II]].{{sfn|Blackman|1972|p=504}}{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=621}}{{sfn|Couhat|1986|pp=655–666}}

The LST had a [[Displacement (ship)|displacement]] of {{convert|4793|LT|t|abbr=on}} when light and {{convert|8342|LT|t|abbr=on}} at full load. ''La Moure County'' was {{convert|522|ft|4|in|m|1}} [[Length overall|long overall]] and {{convert|562|ft|m|abbr=on|1}} over the [[derrick]] arms which protruded past the bow.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=621}}{{sfn|Couhat|1986|pp=655–666}} The vessel had a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|69|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on|1}}, a [[Draft (hull)|draft]] forward of {{convert|11|ft|5|in|m|abbr=on|1}} and {{convert|17|ft|5|in|m|abbr=on|1}} at the stern at full load.{{sfn|Moore|1975|p=486}}

''La Moure County'' was fitted with six [[Alco]] 16-645-ES [[diesel engine]]s turning two [[Propeller|shafts]], three to each shaft. The system was rated at {{convert|16500|bhp|lk=in}} and gave the ship a maximum speed of {{convert|22|kn}} for short periods and could only sustain {{convert|20|kn}} for an extended length of time. The LST carried {{convert|1750|LT|t}} of [[diesel fuel]] for a range of {{convert|2500|nmi|lk=in}} at the cruising speed of {{convert|14|kn}}. The ship was also equipped with a [[bow thruster]] to allow for better maneuvering near causeways and to hold position while offshore during the unloading of amphibious vehicles.{{sfn|Couhat|1986|pp=655–666}}{{sfn|Moore|1976|p=614}}

The ''Newport'' class were larger and faster than previous LSTs and were able to transport tanks, heavy vehicles and engineer groups and supplies that were too large for helicopters or smaller landing craft to carry.{{sfn|Moore|1974|p=467}} The LSTs have a ramp forward of the [[superstructure]] that connects the lower tank deck with the main deck and a passage large enough to allow access to the parking area amidships. The vessels are also equipped with a stern gate to allow the unloading of amphibious vehicles directly into the water or to unload onto a [[Landing Craft Utility|utility landing craft]] (LCU) or pier. At either end of the tank deck there is a {{convert|30|ft|m|abbr=on}} turntable that permits vehicles to turn around without having to reverse.{{sfn|Blackman|1972|p=504}}{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=621}} The ''Newport'' class has the capacity for {{convert|500|LT|t}} of vehicles, {{convert|19000|ft2|abbr=on}} of cargo area and could carry up to 431 troops.{{sfn|Blackman|1972|p=504}}{{sfn|Moore|1978|p=690}} The vessels also have [[davit]]s for four [[LCVP (United States)|vehicle and personnel landing craft]] (LCVPs) and could carry four pontoon causeway sections along the sides of the hull.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=621}}{{sfn|Couhat|1986|pp=655–666}}

''La Moure County'' was initially armed with four Mark 33 [[3"/50 caliber gun|{{convert|3|in|mm|adj=on|0}}/50 caliber guns]] in two twin [[Gun turret|turrets]]. The vessel was equipped with two Mk 63 [[Ship gun fire-control system|gun control fire systems]] (GCFS) for the 3-inch guns, but these were removed in 1977–1978.{{sfn|Couhat|1986|pp=655–666}} The ship also had SPS-10 surface search [[radar]].{{sfn|Sharpe|1990|p=761}} Atop the stern gate, the vessels mounted a [[helicopter deck]]. They had a maximum complement of 213 including 11 officers.{{sfn|Moore|1974|p=467}}

==Construction and career==
The LST was ordered as the seventh hull of the third group of the ''Newport'' class in [[Financial Year|Fiscal Year 1967]] and a contract was awarded on 15 July 1966.{{sfn|Moore|1974|p=467}}<ref name=nvr>Naval Vessel Register</ref> The ship was [[Keel laying|laid down]] on 22 May 1970 by the [[National Steel and Shipbuilding Company]] in [[San Diego]], [[California]]. Named for a [[LaMoure County, North Dakota|county]] in [[North Dakota]], ''La Moure County'' was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 13 February 1971 and [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] into the [[United States Navy]] (USN) on 18 December 1971.<ref name=nvr/> The ship was assigned to Amphibious Force, [[United States Fleet Forces Command|Atlantic Fleet]] and transited the [[Panama Canal]] to arrive at the vessel's new home port of [[Little Creek, Virginia|Little Creek]], [[Virginia]]. ''La Moure County'' alternated between training operations along the east coast of the United States and the [[Caribbean Sea]] and active deployments in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and European waters.{{sfn|DANFS}}

During the [[Gulf War]], ''La Moure County'' was part of Amphibious Group 2 (PhibGru2). Tasked with transporting part of the [[4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade]] (4th MEB) via the Mediterranean to the [[Persian Gulf]], the group was divided up into transit groups, with ''La Moure County'' joining Transit Group 3.{{sfn|Brown|2000|p=28}}{{efn|Transit Group 3 was composed of {{USS|Guam|LPH-9|6}}, {{USS|Iwo Jima|LPH-2|6}}, {{USS|Manitowoc|LST-1180|6}} and ''La Moure County''.{{sfn|Brown|2000|p=28}}}} Transit Group 3 departed [[Morehead City, North Carolina|Morehead City]], [[North Carolina]] on 21 August 1990 and united with the other transit groups off [[Masirah Island]] on 16 September. Transit Group 3 rejoined PhibGru2. PhibGru2 was split back into respective transit groups on 24 March 1991 and Transit Group 2 returned to Little Creek on 17 April after a ceasefire had been declared on 1 April.{{sfn|Brown|2000|pp=25, 28, 31, 227–228, 230}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-xpm-19910417-1991-04-17-9104180001-story.html |title=Coming Back From Desert Storm |work=Daily Press |date=17 April 1991 |access-date=15 February 2020}}</ref> In 1995 the ship was transferred to the [[Naval Reserve Force]].{{sfn|Polmar|2005|p=198}}

===Grounding and aftermath===
[[File:La Moure County.jpg|thumb|''La Moure County'' at anchor in Cifuncho Bay, where the ship lay from 12 September to 28 October 2000]]
[[File:Ex La Moure County LST-1194.jpg|thumb|Ex-''La Moure County'' as seen here during the first phase of the [[SINKEX]] on 10 July 2001]]
[[File:Ex La Moure County.jpg|thumb|Ex-''La Moure County'' overhead view showing the ship later in the SINKEX exercise, burning after several missile hits]]
The ship was run aground near the coast of Caleta Cifuncho Bay, Chile, in the pre-dawn hours of 12 September 2000 during a routine amphibious training operation with a [[Sister ship|sister vessel]], the [[Chilean Navy]]'s {{ship|Chilean landing ship|Valdivia||2}}. A combination of the speed of the ship at impact and the incoming tide resulted in extensive damage to the bow, keel, screws, and rudders. Extensive internal flooding and the dumping of {{convert|40000|USgal}} of diesel fuel only served to complicate matters.<ref>{{cite news |last=McMichael|first=William |title=Navy ship hits reef, spills diesel fuel|newspaper=Navy Times |date=2 October 2000}}</ref> No injuries were suffered by the crew or marines aboard the ship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2000/US/09/12/ship.aground/index.html |title=U.S. Navy ship runs aground off Chile |publisher=CNN|last=McIntyre |first=Jaime |date=12 September 2000 |access-date=15 February 2020}}</ref>

Following the grounding, it was found that the captain of the ship had failed to chart his position correctly. This incident led to a complete standdown by all USN vessels to assess their safety and navigation protocols. ''La Moure County''{{'}}s grounding, along with several navigational mishaps by other USN vessels led to the USN re-assessing its training in navigation. The USN ordered new simulation training for bridge officers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/navy-simulates-safety/ |title=Navy Simulates Safety |publisher=CBS News |date=8 March 2001 |access-date=15 February 2020}}</ref>

''La Moure County'' was deemed damaged beyond repair.{{sfn|Polmar|2005|p=198}} The ship was [[Ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] and struck from the [[Naval Vessel Register]] on 17 November 2000.<ref name=nvr/> After five weeks of work by divers stabilizing the vessel, ''La Moure County'' was towed by the {{ship|Chilean icebreaker|Almirante Óscar Viel}} to [[Talcahuano]], Chile where further repairs were deemed uneconomical. Having been stripped of all usable material, the damaged hulk of ''La Moure County'' was towed out to sea and sunk as a target on 10 July 2001 during [[UNITAS]] 2001.{{sfn|Bartholomew|Milwee|2009|pp=492–496}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==Citations==
{{reflist}}

==References==
* {{cite book |last1=Bartholomew |first1=Charles A. |last2=Milwee |first2=William I Jr.|name-list-style=amp |year=2009 |title=Mud, Muscle, and Miracles: Marine Salvage in the United States Navy |edition=Second |publisher=Naval History & Heritage Command |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=978-0-945274-60-5 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/MudMuscleAndMiracles }}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Blackman |editor-first=Raymond V. B. |year=1972 |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1972–73 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Company |location=London |oclc=28197951 }}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Brown |editor-first=Ronald J. |year=2000 |title=U. S. Marines in the Persian Gulf, 1990–1991: With Marine Forces Afloat in Desert Shield and Desert Storm |publisher=History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=978-0-7881-8563-2 }}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Couhat |editor-first=Jean Labayle |year=1986 |title=Combat Fleets of the World 1986/87 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=0-85368-860-5 }}
* {{cite DANFS |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/l/la-moure-countylst-1194.html |title=La Moure County (LST-1194) |access-date=15 February 2020 |ref={{sfnref|DANFS}}}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Gardiner |editor-first=Robert |editor-last2=Chumbley |editor-first2=Stephen |editor-last3=Budzbon |editor-first3=Przemysław |name-list-style=amp |year=1995 |title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=1-55750-132-7 }}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Moore |editor-first=John |year=1974 |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1974–75 |edition=77th |publisher=Franklin Watts Incorporated |location=New York |isbn=0-531-02743-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/janesfightingshi7475moor }}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Moore |editor-first=John |year=1975 |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1975–76 |edition=78th |publisher=Franklin Watts Incorporated |location=New York |isbn=0-531-03251-5 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/janesfightingshi00lond }}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Moore |editor-first=John |year=1976 |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1976–77 |edition=79th |publisher=Franklin Watts Incorporated |location=New York |isbn=0-531-03261-2 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/janesfightingshi00jane }}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Moore |editor-first=John |year=1978 |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1978–79 |edition=81st |publisher=Franklin Watts Incorporated |location=New York |isbn=0-531-03297-3 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/janesfightingshi00keyb }}
* {{Naval Vessel Register|{{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=LST1194}}}}
* {{cite book |last=Polmar |first=Norman |year=2005 |title=The Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet |edition=18th |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=1-59114-685-2 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/navalinstitutegu0018polm }}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Sharpe |editor-first=Richard |year=1990 |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1990–91 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |edition=93 |location=Surrey, United Kingdom |isbn=0-7106-0904-3 }}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{cite web|title=LST-1194 ''La Moure County''|work=Amphibious Photo Archive |url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/161194.htm}}

{{Newport-class tank landing ships}}
{{2000 shipwrecks}}
{{2001 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:La Moure County (Lst-1194)}}
[[Category:Newport-class tank landing ships]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks in the Pacific Ocean]]
[[Category:Cold War amphibious warfare vessels of the United States]]
[[Category:LaMoure County, North Dakota]]
[[Category:Ships built in San Diego]]
[[Category:1971 ships]]
[[Category:Ships sunk as targets]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 2000]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 2001]]