USS LST-507

USS LST-507 was a LST-491-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. She was sunk by a German torpedo attack in April 1944 during Exercise Tiger.

History
United States
Name: USS LST-507
Builder: Jeffersonville Boat & Machine Company, Jeffersonville, Indiana
Laid down: 8 September 1943
Launched: 16 November 1943
Commissioned: 10 January 1944
Fate: Torpedoed and sunk, 28 April 1944
General characteristics
Class and type: LST-491-class tank landing ship
Displacement:
  • 1,625 long tons (1,651 t) light
  • 3,640 long tons (3,698 t) full
Length: 328 ft (100 m)
Beam: 50 ft (15 m)
Draft:
  • Unloaded :
  • 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) forward
  • 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) aft
  • Loaded :
  • 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward
  • 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
Propulsion: 2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed: 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried:		 2 LCVPs
Troops: Approximately 130 officers and enlisted men
Complement: 8-10 officers, 89-100 enlisted men
Armament:

LST-507 was laid down on 8 September 1943 at Jeffersonville, Indiana, by the Jeffersonville Boat & Machine Co.; launched on 16 November 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Raymond C. Fuller; and commissioned on 10 January 1944.

Sinking

"Exercise Tiger" was a pre-invasion exercise carried out off the coast of Southern England in April 1944. After having taken on its complement of personnel and vehicles at Brixham, the LST joined the end of a convoy at Torquay.

Just after 0200, whilst circling Lyme Bay, the convoy was attacked by a group of German E-boats. LST-507 was the first to be hit by a torpedo at 0203, and had to be abandoned by 0230. It partially floated till dawn and then the bow was sunk by fire from a British destroyer. It was the only LST (out of the three hit, of which two sank) to go up in flames. Of the 700 estimated US Army and Navy fatalities during Exercise Tiger, 202 were from the sinking of LST-507.[1][2]

Units on board

The army units were: 478th Amphibious Truck Company, 557th Quartermaster Railhead Company, 33rd Chemical Company, 440th Engineer Company, 1605th Engineer Map Depot Detachment, 175th Signal Repair Company, 3206th Quartermaster Service Company and 3891st Quartermaster Truck Company. There were two 1/4 ton trucks, one 3/4 ton truck, thirteen 2½ ton trucks, and 22 DUKWs.[3]

Wreck

The wreck of the LST now lies at a depth of 50 meters at 50°27.15′N 2°43.55′W. It is popular as a location for wreck diving.

See also

References
  1. "Combinedops.com - Operation Tiger". Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  2. "Exercise Tiger: Disaster at Slapton Sands, 28 April 1944". Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  3. "Exercise Tiger Trust". Retrieved 15 August 2008.
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