USS LST 173 History

USS LST 173 History

The following information has been obtained from the USS LST 173 Deck Log found at the National Archives in College Park, MD.

1942
12/24/42	Keel laid down - Evansville, Indiana, by the Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Company.
1943
04/24/43	Launched at Evansville, Indiana shipyard - Sponsored by Mrs. John McCone. (Reference photograph #1).
06/13/43	Accepted and placed under reduced commission.
06/15/43	Assigned to Flotilla 4, Group 12, Division 23, departed Evansville, Ind. for New Orleans.
06/18/43	Arrived in New Orleans, placed under full commission, mast and two new screws installed.
06/24/43	Reported for shakedown.
1944
03/14/44	Began Convoy UGS 36 from Norfolk, Va to Oran, Algeria (later switched to Bizerte, Tunisia). Ships in convoy encountered many days inclement weather (stormy seas, swells, rain, and fog).
03/15/44	At 2227 ships doctor performed an emergency appendectomy on Eugene J. Meienhofer, F1c.
03/30/44	Sighted land and Cape Spirtel light house.
04/01/44	Attacked by German bombers while proceeding through Gibraltar in convoy UGS 36 from Norfolk, Va to Bizerte, Tunisia. The following information was taken from the USS LST 173 deck log as entered by Joseph R. Euans, Lt. and Elmer F. Muller, Lt. (jg) on the night of April 1, 1944. 0358-Planes over convoy dropping flares. Went to General Quarters. Ships ahead and on both flanks opened fire with AA batteries. 0400-Proceeding in convoy position #57 as before. Base Speed 9.5 knots Base Course 087°T. Ship under bombing attack. All battle stations manned. 0402-Opened fire on plane bearing about 210°T alt. 10°. No results observed. Opened fire on plane bearing about 270°T alt. 7°. No results observed. 0403-Observed crash with moderate underwater explosion about 50 ft. off starboard beam. A wall of water about 50 ft. high was thrown up and broke over ship about amidships. Ship gave sudden lurch to port. Stopped all engines and send out repair parties. 0407-Engine room reports no damage to engines – went ahead 2/3 on all engines. Resumed Base Course. 0410-Firing continuing. 0415-Firing continuing. No damage found – rejoining convoy. 0416-Observed explosion bearing about 200°T distance about 1 Ľ miles. Flames from explosion lasted for about 2 minutes and had the appearance of gasoline explosion such as exploding plane. 0418-Ceased fire – repair parties report no material nor personnel casualties. 0420-Bombing ceased – all flares out, went ahead standard speed. 0430-Numerous pieces of plane wreckage discovered about main deck, boat decks, and LCT. Much shrapnel found on deck (Reference photographs #1 and #2). 0500-Passed merchant ship to port distance about 300 yrds. Ship stopped and apparently afire in after holds. 0600-Resumed position in convoy. Went ahead flank speed. 0630-Engine room reports following minor damage: ballast tank damaged, fuel oil purifier damaged slightly, #2 fire and bulge pump slightly damaged. 0705-Secured from General Quarters. [Web Master Note: You may read more about this incident in the Convoy UGS 36 section of this web site.]
04/03/44	Reached Bizerte, Tunisia and moored and began unloading. LST 27 tied up to starboard side.
04/15/44	Proceeded from AATB Bizerte, Tunisia to Naples, Italy with supplies.
04/17/44	Arrived in Naples, Italy and began unloading supplies.
04/19/44	Left Naples, Italy for Pozzouli, Italy.
04/21/44	Left Pozzouli, Italy for Nisida, Italy.
04/22/44	Left Nisida, Italy for Anzio, Italy (transporting 388 passengers, 52 trucks, 7 jeeps, 1 half-track truck, and 1 motorcycle). (Arrived at Anzio beachhead the same day)
04/26/44	Left Nisida, Italy for Anzio, Italy (transporting supplies).
04/29/44	Left Nisida, Italy for Anzio, Italy (transporting supplies).
05/02/44	Left Nisida, Italy for Anzio, Italy (transporting supplies).
05/06/44	Left Nisida, Italy for Anzio, Italy (transporting supplies).
05/09/44	Left Naples, Italy for Anzio, Italy (transporting supplies).
05/11/44	Target Practice
05/12/44	While in Nisida, Italy, Admiral Hewitt came aboard LST 173 for brief inspection.
05/13/44	Left Nisida, Italy for Anzio, Italy (transporting supplies).
05/17/44	Left Nisida, Italy for Anzio, Italy (transporting supplies).
05/20/44	Left Nisida, Italy for Anzio, Italy (transporting supplies).
05/22/44	Left Nisida, Italy for Anzio, Italy (transporting supplies). (Reference photograph #1 acquired from National Archives dated May 22, 1944.)
05/24/44	Left Nisida, Italy for Anzio, Italy (transporting supplies). Returned with 709 German POWs.
05/26/44	Left Nisida, Italy for Anzio, Italy (transporting supplies).
05/29/44	Left Nisida, Italy for Anzio, Italy (transporting supplies).
06/01/44	Left Nisida, Italy for Anzio, Italy (transporting supplies). Returning with 302 German POWs.
06/02/44	While convoying to Pozzouli, Italy from Anzio, Italy main fuel tank punctured, all engines stopped. LST 173 under tow by LST 141 to Pozzouli, Italy with POWs.
06/06/44	Repairs complete. Left Pozzouli for Palermo, Sicily.
06/20/44	Left Palermo, Sicily for Nisida, Italy towing LCT 34.
06/25/44	Return to Anzio, Italy.
06/26/44	Return to Nisida, Italy.
06/28/44	Practice maneuvers outside of Pozzouli Bay with LST's 74, 210, 174, and 265. Sounded General Quarters, all boats lowered, soldiers disembarked, all boats cleared of ships sides. Completed maneuvers. All boats returned.
06/29/44	Continued practice maneuvers with LST's 76, 174, 210, 265, 358, and 603. Night maneuvers as well as loading and unloading of Army vehicles.
06/30/44	Continued practice maneuvers with LST's 76, 174, 210, and 265. All boats lowered, soldiers disembarked. All boats cleared of ships sides. Completed maneuvers. All boats returned.
07/03/44	Arrived in the Gulf of Salerno.
07/05/44	Practice maneuvers in the Gulf of Salerno with LST's 76, 174, and 210. All boats lowered, soldiers disembarked. All boats cleared of ships sides. Completed maneuvers. All boats returned.
07/06/44	Continued practice maneuvers.
07/07/44	Continued practice maneuvers with LST's 74, 76, 77, 174, 210, and 610. All boats lowered, soldiers disembarked. All boats cleared of ships sides. Completed maneuvers. All boats returned.
07/08/44	Return to Palermo, Sicily. Passed through anti-torpedo nets entering Palermo harbor. Loaded 6 LCMs on main deck. Received LCM crew of 2 officers and 30 men.
07/09/44	Return to Naples, Italy. Unloaded LCMs.
07/10/44	Return to Gulf of Salerno.
07/14/44 through 07/22/44	Practice maneuvers in the Gulf of Salerno with LST's 74, 76, 141, 174, 177, 178, 211, 263, and 601.
07/23/44	Return to Pozzouli, Italy.
07/25/44	Firing exercises in Gulf of Pozzouli with LST's 141, 210, and 211. Expended 960 rounds of 40mm and 2473 rounds of 20mm.
07/27/44	Anchored in Gulf of Pozzouli. LST 551 moored starboard side to take on fuel.
07/29/44	Anchored in Nisida, Italy. Began loading Army supplies and provisions. Loaded Army vehicles on main deck and in tank deck. Repaired gyro compass.
07/30/44	Anchored in Gulf of Pozzouli. Began column formation.
07/31/44	Proceeding in three columns to transport area Gaeta, Italy. Column 1 - LST's 265, 173, 174, 210, 76, 74, 906, and 903 Column 2 - LST's 178, 263, 77, 602, 177, 914, and 32 Column 3 - LST's 358, 141, 603, 4, 352, 551, 601, and 659 General Quarters sounded. Launched and loaded Army personnel. Conducted gas mask drill.
08/02/44	Moored in Nisida, Italy. AA fire over Naples area. Heavy smoke screen around Nisida.
08/05/44	Anchored off Torre Ammunoziata, Italy. Conducted fire drill and abandon ship drill.
08/09/44	Anchored off Torre Ammunoziata, Italy. Practice disembarking Army troops in assault boats and raising barrage balloons. Conducted fire drill and collision drill.
08/12/44	Began preparations to get underway as directed in operation plan (Com 8th fleet, operation plan 2-44). Formed Alpha Attack Force (Convoy SM-1B) as follows: Column 1 - LST's 265, 123, 210, 174, 76, 286, 906, and 3 Column 2 - LST's 211, 178, 263, 77, 602, 177, 914, and 74 Column 3 - LST's 358, 141, 603, 4, 352, 551, 601, and 659 Various escorts included in attack force. Barrage balloons raised to 1000 feet.
08/14/44	Continued in Alpha Attack Force (Convoy SM-1B). Spotted Sardinia 9 miles off of port bow. Barrage balloons at 300 feet.
08/15/44	Participated in the Invasion of Southern France (Operation Dragoon) as part of Task Unit 84.1.2, Red Beach Assault Group, Alpha Attack Force, Western Naval Task Force. Landed at beach number 259 in the Baie De Cavalaire, Lat. 43° 11' 30"N., Long. 06° 34' 00"E. This ship as an Assault Troop Carrier with 5 LCVP's, and 1 LCS(Scout) and 2 sections of causeway pontoons, landed troops and vehicles of various units of the Third U.S. Army Infantry Division. Other LSTs taking part in this Task Unit: 32, 76, 174, 210, 265, and 286. (Reference photographs #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5. Reference film footage. Reference Invasion Chart.).
08/16/44	Proceeding to Gulf of Ajaccio, Corsica in convoy position. Moored in berth #13, Ajaccio, Corsica. 192 German POWs turned over to military police. Transferred following Naval casualties to Army hospital: Jones, Edward, SPF Krasig, Elmer, S1C Shaffer, Robert, SPF3C Elder, John K., BM1C Barden, Edward, S2C
08/17/44	Moored in berth #13, Ajaccio, Corsica. Commenced loading main deck and tank deck with French Army vehicles. Loaded French troops. Loading complete. In convoy to Southern France (Dragoon assault area).
08/18/44	Laying in wait off of Green beach, Baie De Cavalaire, France. General Quarters sounded. All guns open fire. Secure General Quarters. Underway to St. Tropez, France.
08/19/44	Unloaded at Green beach, St. Tropez, France. Heavy smoke screen. Forming up with convoy to Ajaccio, Corsica.
08/20/44	Anchored in Gulf of Ajaccio, Corsica.
08/21/44	Moored in Ajaccio, Corsica between LST 914 and LST 1021. Commenced loading vehicles. In convoy to Southern France (Dragoon assault area).
08/22/44	Anchored in Gulf of St. Tropez, France.
08/23/44	Moored at berth #7 in St. Tropez, France. Commenced unloading.
08/24/44	In convoy to Ajaccio, Corsica. Moored at berth #1 in Ajaccio, Corsica. LST 548 moored at berth #2,
08/25/44	In convoy to Naples, Italy with LSTs 1021, 12, 178, 211, 281, 288, and 504.
08/26/44	Anchored in Gulf of Pozzouli, Italy.
08/27/44	Moored at berth #4 Nisida, Italy. Commenced loading. Began convoy formation.
08/28/44	In convoy to Southern France (Dragoon assault area).
08/29/44	In convoy to Southern France (Dragoon assault area).
08/30/44	Beached at Yellow beach (Dragoon assault area). Commenced unloading. LST 501 beached on port side. LST 994 beached on starboard side. Began formation for convoy to Ajaccio, Corsica. Convoy underway.
08/31/44	Moored at berth #11 in Ajaccio, Corsica.
09/01/44	Moored at berth #11 in Ajaccio, Corsica.
09/02/44	Moored at berth #11 in Ajaccio, Corsica. Commenced loading with vehicles, equipment, and troops. Formed up with convoy in harbor with LSTs 602, 994, 281, 263, 1021, 550, and 501. Convoy underway to Southern France (Dragoon assault area). Ships darkened.
09/03/44	Anchored in Gulf of St. Tropez, France. Awaiting orders to beach.
09/04/44	Beached at Yellow beach (#262) at St. Tropez, France. Commenced unloading.
09/05/44	In convoy to Naples, Italy with LSTs 1021, 281, 602, 550, 134, 994, 501, and 8 merchant vessels. Ships darkened, in battle condition II, material condition zebra.
09/06/44	In convoy to Naples, Italy. Passing through Bonifacio Straits.
09/07/44	In convoy to Naples, Italy. Sighted Isole De Parmarola, distance 10 miles.
09/08/44	Anchored in Gulf of Pozzouli, Italy. Moored in berth #5 in Nisida, Italy. LST 1021 berthed on starboard side.
09/09/44	Moored in berth #5 in Nisida, Italy.
09/10/44	Moored in berth #5 in Nisida, Italy. Exercised emergency drills.
09/11/44	Moored in berth #5 in Nisida, Italy. Commenced loading (56 vehicles, 52 American troops, and 200 French Troops). All hands mustered. LT. Holmshaw came aboard for personnel inspection. Formed up with convoy in harbor with LSTs 548, 690, 602, 263, 1021, 994, 550, and 281. Convoy underway to Southern France (Dragoon assault area) escorted by USS McCook..
09/12/44	In convoy to Southern France (Dragoon assault area). Passing through Bonifacio Straits.
09/13/44	In convoy to Southern France (Dragoon assault area). Man over-board emergency. French Sgt. Jean Fantienier (Service #2802) lost over port side of ship at approximately Long 7° 34'E, Lat 42° 41'N. Senior French officer and French Captain Raymond Paunier, commanding officer of French unit aboard, notified. Convoy notified. Boat #5 lowered with Lt. (Jg.) E. F. Muller and crew. Rescue search unsuccessful. Resumed convoy. Beached at St. Tropez. Commenced unloading.
09/14/44	Completed unloading at St. Tropez. Began formation for convoy to Ajaccio, Corsica with LSTs 1021, 501, 281, 548, 550, 263, 602, and 994. Convoy underway.
09/15/44	Moored at berth #15 in Ajaccio, Corsica. Commenced loading 66 vehicles, 265 French troops and 41 American troops. Additional 40 troops added late. Began formation for convoy to Southern France (Dragoon assault area). Convoy underway.
09/16/44	Anchored in harbor of Marseille, France.
09/17/44	Anchored in Gulf of St. Rapheal, France. Beached at Green beach. Commenced unloading.
09/18/44	In convoy to Ajaccio, Corsica. Commenced loading in Ajaccio, Corsica.
09/19/44	In convoy to Southern France (Dragoon assault area). Beached at Green beach, St. Rapheal. Commenced unloading vehicles and troops.
09/20/44	In convoy to Ajaccio, Corsica.
09/21/44	Moored at berth #1 in Ajaccio, Corsica.
09/22/44	In convoy to Oran, Algeria in accordance with Secret Dispatch 201204A SYT with LSTs 281 501, 602, and 1021.
09/23/44	In convoy to Oran, Algeria.
09/24/44	Moored at berth 8A in Oran, Algeria. Commenced loading.
09/25/44	Moored at berth 8A in Oran, Algeria. Completed loading. In convoy to Marseille, France.
09/26/44	In convoy to Marseille, France.
09/27/44	In convoy to Marseille, France. Rough seas.
09/28/44	In convoy to Marseille, France. Heavy storms. Visibility poor. Difficulty steering.
09/29/44	In convoy to Marseille, France. Heavy storms. Visibility poor. Difficulty steering. Convoy scattered over a 6 to 8 mile range.
09/30/44	Moored in port of Marseille, France. Commenced unloading.
10/01/44	In convoy to Oran, Algeria with LSTs 602, 501, and 281.
10/04/44	Moored in Oran, Algeria next to LST 281. Commenced loading vehicles and equipment.
10/05/44	In convoy to Marseille, France with LSTs 265, 281, 285, and 501.
10/06/44	In convoy to Marseille, France with LSTs 265, 281, 285, and 501. Storms and rough seas.
10/07/44	In convoy to Marseille, France with LSTs 265, 281, 285, and 501. Storms and rough seas.
10/08/44	In convoy to Marseille, France with LSTs 265, 281, 285, and 501. Storms and rough seas.
10/09/44	Moored in port of Marseille, France. Commenced unloading.
10/10/44	Anchored in harbor of Marseille, France.
10/11/44	In convoy to Leghorn, Italy with LSTs 49, 265, 285, 501, 525, 526, 601, 906, 995, 996, 997, and 1020.
10/12/44	In convoy to Leghorn, Italy with LSTs 49, 265, 285, 501, 525, 526, 601, 906, 995, 996, 997, and 1020.
10/13/44	Anchored in harbor of Leghorn, Italy.
10/15/44	Moored at pier #66 at Leghorn, Italy.
10/16/44	Anchored in harbor of Leghorn, Italy.
10/19/44	Moored at Leghorn, Italy. Exercised emergency drills.
10/23/44	Moored at Leghorn, Italy. Commenced loading vehicles and troops. Anchored in harbor of Leghorn, Italy.
10/24/44	In convoy to Marseille, France.
10/25/44	Moored in port of Marseille, France.
10/26/44	Moored in port of Marseille, France. LST 501 on port side. LST 285 on starboard side. Commenced unloading vehicles and troops.
10/27/44	Moored in port of Marseille, France.
10/28/44	Moored in port of Marseille, France.
10/29/44	Anchored in harbor of Marseille, France.
10/30/44	In convoy to Leghorn, Italy with LSTs 49, 230, 285, 491, 501, 603, and 989. Conducted live firing practice.
10/31/44	Moored at berth #63 in Leghorn, Italy.
11/01/44	In convoy to Bizerte, Tunisia.
11/03/44	Anchored in Bay De Seba, Bizerte, Tunisia.
11/06/44	Anchored in Corrier Bay, Bizerte, Tunisia.
11/08/44	Moored to LST 603, which was moored to USS Delta. Repairs and alterations being made by crew of USS Delta.
11/10/44	Anchored in Lake of Bizerte, Tunisia.
11/13/44	Moored at berth #16 at Karouba, Tunisia.
11/15/44	Moored at berth #16 at Karouba, Tunisia. Commander Johnson aboard for inspection.
11/16/44	Moored at berth #21, Bizerte, Tunisia. LST 358 on port side. LST 76 on starboard side.
11/22/44	Anchored in Lake of Bizerte, Tunisia.
12/01/44	Anchored in Lake of Bizerte, Tunisia.
12/03/44	Moored at berth #28, AATB Karouba, Tunisia. LST 174 moored at port side and LST 4 moored on starboard side. All divisions mustered. Commenced taking on water.
12/04/44	Anchored in Lake of Bizerte, Tunisia.
12/05/44	Making preparations to get under way in accordance with C.T.G. 81.2 operation plan "Pearl" # 1-44. Began forming convoy F-1. Convoy included the following LST's: 76, 265, 173, 174, 210, 358, 211, 210, 3, 4, 603, 352, 177, 77, and 178.
12/06/44	Proceeding in convoy F-1, battle condition II and material condition Zebra. General Quarters sounded, rocket boat (#6) launched, launched boats 2, 3, 4, and 5, commenced making smoke. Spotted friendly submarine.
12/07/44	Anchored in Lake of Bizerte, Tunisia.
12/09/44	Proceeding from Lake of Bizerte, Tunisia to Palermo, Sicily.
12/10/44	Passed through anti-submarine nets entering Palermo harbor. LST 76 moored at port side and LST 177 moored on starboard side. USO show on base.
12/12/44	In dry-dock in Palermo, Sicily.
12/13/44	Dry-dock work completed. Ship waterborne. Proceeding to Bizerte, Tunisia.
12/14/44	Moored at berth #21, AATB Karouba, Tunisia. Moored on starboard side of LST 352.
12/15/44	Moored at berth #21, AATB Karouba, Tunisia. Transferred 77 crewmembers of LST 173 to AATB by authority of Com PH1B, 8th Flt. letter, PH1B 8th Flt/916-3/mm-serial, 6046 of 13 Dec. 1944.
12/16/44	Received English crew (Group #9) (including 60 crewmembers). CO - Riches H.G.G.G (LT/COR), R.N.V.R. 1st LT. - Lester M. (LT), R.N.V.R. Bendow M.O. (S/LT), R.N.V.R. Moore P.P. (S/LT), R.N.V.R. Marion R. J. (S/LT), R.N.V.R. Green H. (WT(S)), R.N.
12/19/44	Received 16 additional English crewmembers.
12/21/44 through 12/23/44	Accompanied English crew though various training exercises. Participated in beaching exercises and General Quarters exercises. British crew paralleling all activities.
12/24/44	Accompanied English crew though various training exercises. Decommissioned and transferred to the United Kingdom.
1946
04/23/46	Returned to US custody at Norfolk, Virginia.
06/19/46	Stricken from Navy Register.
10/22/47	Sold to Luria Brothers & Co., of Philadelphia, Pa., on 22 October 1947, for scrapping.

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