Newport III LST-1179

Newport III
(LST-1179: dp. 8,342; 1. 522'3"; b. 69'5"; dr. 15'; s. 20 k.; cpl. 231; a. 4 3"; cl. Newport)

The third Newport was laid down 1 November 1966 by the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Philadelaphia, Pa.; launched 3 February 1968; sponsored by Mrs. Claiborne Pell; and commissioned 7 June 1969.

As the first of a new class of LST, she is unlike any other LST previously built. She ean steam twice as fast as her World War II predecessors and earry over twice as many troops. She has an over the bow ramp instead of the usual bow doors and a stern Kate to enable her to off load from both ends simultaneously.

Assigned to Amphibious Squadron 8 and home ported at Little Creek, Va. Newport carried out a vigorous training program to prepare for active service in the Fleet.