USS LST-579

History
United States
Name:	USS LST-629
Builder:	Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, Seneca, Illinois
Laid down:	4 May 1944
Launched:	22 June 1944
Commissioned:	21 July 1944
Renamed:	USNS T-LST-579
Decommissioned:	24 February 1946
Recommissioned:	31 March 1952
Decommissioned:	15 June 1973
Fate:	Sold to Republic of Singapore Navy, 5 December 1975
Singapore
Name:	RSS Intrepid
Namesake:	Intrepid
Acquired:	5 December 1975
Commissioned:	1 July 1971 (on loan)
Decommissioned:	1999
Homeport:	Changi Naval Base, Singapore
Identification:	L-203
Fate:	Serving as a floating sea-defense barricade at Changi Naval Base.
Status:	Decommissioned
General characteristics
Class and type:	LST-542-class tank landing ship
Displacement:	1,625 long tons (1,651 t) light; 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full;
Length:	328 ft (99.97 m)
Beam:	50 ft (15.24 m)
Draught:	Bow 2'-4", stern 7'-6" (unloaded); bow 8'-2", stern 14'-1" (unloaded);
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;
Depth:	8' fwd; 14'-4" aft (full load)
Propulsion:	Two General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed:	12 knots (22 km/h)
Boats & landing ; craft carried:	Two LCVPs
Troops:	16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement:	7 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament:	2× twin Bofors 40 mm gun mounts w/Mk.51 directors; 4× single Bofors 40 mm gun mounts; 12× single Oerlikon 20 mm cannon mounts;
Aviation facilities:	Deck as helipad

USS LST-579 originally was a United States Navy LST-542-class tank landing ship built during World War II and in commission from 1944 to 1946 and again in the late 1952. She was sold to the Republic of Singapore Navy and renamed RSS Intrepid (L-203).[1][2]

Construction and commissioning

USS LST-579 was laid down on 4 May 1944 at Leavenworth, Kansas, by the Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Co.. She was launched on 22 June 1944 and commissioned on 11 July 1944 with a Lieutenant Hugh B. Severs in command.[3][4]

During World War II, LST-579 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign and participated in Invasion of Lingayen Gulf from 4 to 18 January 1945. She also participating in the Mindanao Islands landing from 10 to 18 March and 17 to 23 April 1945. LST-579 participated in Balikpapan Operation, the invasion of Borneo on 26 June to 10 July 1945. LST-629 was assigned to China service and was decommissioned on 24 February 1946, assigned for Commander Naval Forces Far East (COMNAVFE) Shipping Control Authority for Japan (SCAJAP) and redesignated as Q073.

LST-629 was transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), 31 March 1952 and redesignated as USNS T-LST-579.

T-LST-579 was on loan since 1 July 1971 but finally sold to Singapore on 5 December 1975 and was renamed as RSS Intrepid (L-203).

All four ex-US Navy LSTs are employed as floating sea-defense barricades for Changi Naval Base.[5][6]