The USS Peoria (LST-1183) was a ship of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1968 and decommissioned in 1994. It was part of the Newport class of Landing Ship, Tank (LST) ships, which were used for amphibious operations and the transport of tanks, troops, and supplies.
LST ships were designed to operate in shallow waters, and the Peoria was no exception. It had a draft of only 8 feet, making it well-suited for operations in coastal areas. The ship was also equipped with a bow ramp, which allowed it to offload vehicles and cargo directly onto beaches.
The Peoria had a length of 522 feet and a beam of 69 feet. It had a displacement of 8,100 tons when fully loaded. The ship was powered by two boilers and two geared turbines, which provided a top speed of 21 knots.
One of the Peoria's most notable features was its large well deck, which was located in the center of the ship. This area was used to store and transport amphibious vehicles, such as landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles. The well deck could also be flooded to allow these vehicles to be launched directly into the water.
The Peoria also had a helicopter deck and a helicopter control tower, which allowed it to support helicopter operations. The ship could carry up to four helicopters at a time, which were used for transportation and reconnaissance.
The Peoria was armed with two twin 3-inch/50 caliber gun mounts, which were located at the stern of the ship. These guns were primarily used for self-defense and were not intended to be used in a major combat role.
The USS Peoria was commissioned on August 24, 1968 and was decommissioned on September 30, 1994 after 26 years of service. During that time, it served in a number of deployments, including several deployments to Vietnam, Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
In summary, the USS Peoria (LST-1183) was a ship of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1968 and decommissioned in 1994, part of the Newport class of Landing Ship, Tank (LST) ships. With a draft of only 8 feet, it was well-suited for operations in coastal areas. It had a large well deck, helicopter deck and helicopter control tower, primarily used for transportation and reconnaissance. It was primarily used for amphibious operations and the transport of tanks, troops, and supplies.
Ship Specifications:
- Length: 522 feet
- Beam: 69 feet
- Displacement: 8,100 tons (full load)
- Speed: 21 knots
- Armament: 2 twin 3-inch/50 caliber gun mounts
- Well deck for amphibious vehicles
- Helicopter deck and control tower
- Draft: 8 feet
- Service dates: 1968-1994
