USS LST-613 in May 1945
History
United States
NameLST-613
BuilderChicago Bridge and Iron Company, Seneca
Laid down21 January 1944
Launched2 May 1944
Commissioned19 May 1944
Decommissioned6 January 1946
In service31 March 1952
Out of serviceLate 1960s
RenamedT-LST-613
Stricken30 June 1975
FateSold to Republic of Singapore Navy, 1 June 1976
Singapore
NamePersistence
NamesakePersistence
Acquired1 June 1976
Commissioned1 July 1971 (on loan)
Decommissioned1999
HomeportChangi Naval Base, Singapore
IdentificationL-205
FateServing as a floating sea-defense barricade at Changi Naval Base
StatusDecommissioned
General characteristics
Class and typeLST-542-class tank landing ship
Displacement
  • 1,625 long tons (1,651 t) light
  • 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full
Length328 ft (100 m)
Beam50 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
Propulsion2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried		2 × LCVPs
Troops16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement7 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament
Aviation facilitiesDeck 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] Persistence, along with four other ex-US Navy LSTs sold to Singapore by the US at around the same period of time, served as part of the RSN's 191 Squadron of the 3rd Flotilla, with its main roles being transporting Singapore Army troops and personnel to training facilities abroad (in foreign countries such as Taiwan), rescue-and-aid operations, supply missions as well as for officer-cadet training programmes conducted overseas.

2000s-2010s

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

Awards and honors

References

  1. 1 2 3 "LST-613". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
  2. 1 2 3 "USNS T-LST-613". www.navsource.org. 15 December 2017. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
  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.


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