USS LST-613

History
United States
Name:	LST-613
Builder:	Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, Seneca, Illinois
Laid down:	21 January 1944
Launched:	2 May 1944
Commissioned:	19 May 1944
Decommissioned:	6 January 1946
In service:	31 March 1952
Out of service:	Late 1960s
Renamed:	T-LST-613
Stricken:	30 June 1975
Fate:	Sold to Republic of Singapore Navy, 1 June 1976
Singapore
Name:	Persistence
Namesake:	Persistence
Acquired:	1 June 1976
Commissioned:	1 July 1971 (on loan)
Decommissioned:	1999
Homeport:	Changi Naval Base, Singapore
Identification:	L-205
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 (seagoing draft with 1,675 short tons (1,520 t) load); 2,366 long tons (2,404 t) (beaching);
Length:	328 ft (100 m) oa
Beam:	50 ft (15 m)
Draft:	Unloaded: 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) forward; 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) aft; Full load: 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m) forward; 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft; Landing with 500 short tons (450 t) load: 3 ft 11 in (1.19 m) forward; 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) aft; Limiting 11 ft 2 in (3.40 m); Maximum navigation 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m);
Installed power:	2 × 900 hp (670 kW) Electro-Motive Diesel 12-567A diesel engines; 1,800 shp (1,300 kW);
Propulsion:	1 × Falk main reduction gears; 2 × Propellers;
Speed:	11.6 kn (21.5 km/h; 13.3 mph)
Range:	24,000 nmi (44,000 km; 28,000 mi) at 9 kn (17 km/h; 10 mph) while displacing 3,960 long tons (4,024 t)
Boats & landing ; craft carried:	2 x LCVPs
Capacity:	1,600–1,900 short tons (3,200,000–3,800,000 lb; 1,500,000–1,700,000 kg) cargo depending on mission
Troops:	16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement:	7 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament:	Varied, ultimate armament; 2 × twin 40 mm (1.57 in) Bofors guns ; 4 × single 40 mm Bofors guns; 12 × 20 mm (0.79 in) Oerlikon cannons;
Aviation facilities:	Deck as helipad

USS LST-613 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. In 1976, she was sold to the Republic of Singapore Navy and renamed RSS Persistence (L-205).

Construction and commissioning

LST-613 was laid down on 21 January 1944, at Seneca, Illinois, by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company. She was launched on 2 May 1944, and commissioned on 19 May 1944.[1][2]

Service in United States Navy

1940s

During World War II, LST-613 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign and participated in Morotai landings, the invasion of Indonesia on 15 September 1944. Leyte landings, 19 to 29 November 1944. Mindoro landings, 12 to 18 December 1944, in the Philippines and Lingayen Gulf landings, 6 to 17 January 1945. Visayan Island landing, 18 March 1945, and Tarakan Island operation, 27 April to 5 May 1945. At the close of World War II, LST-613 remained in active service in Amphibious Force, United States Navy on the Far East. LST-613 was decommissioned on 6 January 1946, assigned for Commander Naval Forces Far East (COMNAVFE) Shipping Control Authority for Japan (SCAJAP) and redesignated as Q038.[1][2]

1950s

LST-613 was transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), 31 March 1952, and redesignated as USNS T-LST-613.[1]

1960s

T-LST-613 made a trip to Vietnam, during the Vietnam War, carrying cargos. She beached at the Da Nang Bridge Ramp, circa February 1969.

Service in Republic of Singapore Navy

1970s-1990s

T-LST-613 was on loan since 1 July 1971, but finally sold to Singapore on 1 June 1976, and was renamed as RSS Persistence (L-205).[2]

2000s-2010s

All four ex-US Navy LSTs are employed as floating sea-defense barricades for Changi Naval Base.[3]

Awards and honors

American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (5 awards)
World War II Victory Medal
Navy Occupation Service Medal with “Asia” clasp
Philippines Liberation Medal (2 awards)
Philippines Presidential Unit Citation

References

"LST-613". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
"USNS T-LST-613". www.navsource.org. 15 December 2017. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
Eric, Wertheim (30 March 2007). Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems (15th ed.). Annapolis, Maryland: US Naval Institute Press. p. 703. ISBN 978-1-59114-955-2. Retrieved 22 March 2011.

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[DANFS-1] "LST-613". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 2020-07-29.

[navsource-2] "USNS T-LST-613". www.navsource.org. 15 December 2017. Retrieved 2020-07-29.

[NIP-3] Eric, Wertheim (30 March 2007). Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems (15th ed.). Annapolis, Maryland: US Naval Institute Press. p. 703. ISBN 978-1-59114-955-2. Retrieved 22 March 2011.