9/18/2023
Today was a road trip kind of day. Linda had read that LST-325 was docked at Hannibal, MO and we wanted to visit. We left home around 10:00 and got to Hannibal just in time for lunch. We ate at the Mark Twain Dinette and that alone was worth the trip. Among other things, the homemade root beer is fantastic.
According to Wikipedia:
USS LST-325 is a decommissioned tank landing ship of the United States Navy, now docked in Evansville, Indiana, US. Like many of her class, she was not named and is properly referred to by her hull designation (LSTs in service after July 1955 were named after U.S. counties and parishes).
The ship was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2009. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places on 24 June 2009 and the listing was announced as the featured listing in the National Park Service‘s weekly list of 2 July 2009.
Information on the organization that takes care of the ship can be found here.
When we started to board, the crew member at the Quarterdeck saw my USS Carl Vinson hat and asked me for my liberty card. I told him that it had been a rough night and that I had lost it, but since I didn’t miss ships movement, I should be okay. He just stood there and laughed.
From all external appearances, the material condition of the ship seemed excellent. Everything was painted the correct color and there was no surface rust – this is a huge problem for all ships.
We spent a lot of time on the tank deck and saw several great displays.
The picture with the vacuum tubes brought back many, many memories. At ET A and C schools at Great Lakes, Illinois, I spent possibly more hours that should be humanly possible studying vacuum tubes and their various applications. At one time, I could have told you what every screen in those tubes was used for, not so much anymore.
The picture featuring the cook is in honor of Doris Miller a crew member of the USS West Virginia. As a mess attendant second class in the United States Navy, Miller helped carry wounded sailors to safety during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He then manned an anti-aircraft gun and, despite no prior training in gunnery, shot down between 4 and 6 enemy planes. He was and is a true hero.
The engine order telegraph was of particular interest to me. I used one many times when I stood Throttle watch on the USS Texas (CGN-39).
After leaving the tank deck we walked up to the main deck. There was really too much to see to understand it all.
I find the picture below especially funny. The crew members that operate the machinery that both propel the ship and provide the electricity really haven’t changed much over the years.
All we really want is a little recognition, coffee, and of course cookies.
This was a really great day!
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