I served in USS Fort Snelling LSD-30 from December 19, 1955 until May 1959. She was homeported at Little Creek, VA. I arrived as an Interior Communications Electrician (ICFA) and departed as an IC Electrician First Class (IC-1). We served in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean areas with a trip to New York City and other US ports. We were one of three US Navy ships to pick up American and British civilians in Alexandria, Egypt in 1956 when the British and Egyptians were fighting over the Suez Canal. We evacuated over 250 men, women, and children.

Displacement: If my memory serves me she is about 13,500 tons full load. Dimensions: 510 x 85 x 20 feet Propulsion: 2 boilers, steam turbines, 2 shafts, 24,000 shp, 20 knots Armament: 4 dual 3 inch/50, 330 troops, helo landing area. 425 ft long "wet" welldeck for landing craft, 250' vehicle storage above well deck with ramps to flight deck and upper storage area. 2 - 50 ton cranes.

LSD Dock Landing Ship Carry troops, vehicles, equipment, supplies and landing craft for amphibious operations. Have minimal helicopter support capabilities, but LPDs have a hangar. LPDs have a smaller docking well and greater troop/equipment space than LSDs. Newer LSDs are really LPDs.

Sad to see! May issue of the "Naval Institute Proceedings" the USS Fort Snelling LSD-30 was sold for scrap to Peck Recycling Co., Richmond, VA, for $235,688.00.

Click here for 2002 Myrtle Beach, SC Reunion Information

Below is a photo of the LSD-30

Click here for a larger view.