The USS Peoria (LST-1183), a new design tank landing ship was launched recently from the ways of National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, Calif. Within minutes after the Peoria was launched a keel section was laid for a sistership, the USS Tuscaloosa.
Mrs. Robert H. Michel, wife of Illinois' Representative Robert H. Michel, was the new ship's sponsor. Her daughter, Miss Laurie Michel, served as maid of honor.
The main speaker at the launching was Rear Adm. Richard R. Pratt, USN, commander, Amphibious Training Command. Others participating included Capt. John M. Danielsen, USN, force chaplain, Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet; John V. Banks, Nassco executive vice-president, and John M. Murphy, Nassco vice-president, sales.
Immediately following the launching, Rear Adm. William W. Behrens Jr., USN, commander, Amphibious Group One, laid the keel for a sister LST, the USS Tuscaloosa.
The new design LSTs, unlike earlier ones, will have destroyer type bows. Vehicles may be loaded or off-loaded over the bow by means of a 112-foot-long one-piece, aluminum landing ramp that extends forward and lowers on a pontoon causeway or a beach, depending on water depth and beach gradient. When stowed the ramp rests on the main deck forward between guide tracks attached to the inboard side of two permanently installed derrick arms protruding over the bow. A stern ramp - which also serves as a watertight stern closure when retracted - is designed to launch or retrieve amphibian craft from the open sea. It can also be put to use as a vehicular bridge between the ship and various utility landing crafts (LCUs) or a pier.
The 522-foot vessels will also be faster, brawnier, and more beach efficient than their predecessors. Propulsion will be provided by six diesel engines developing a total of 16,000 shp.
The Peoria is the second in a series of 17 new tank landing ships started under a $250-million Navy contract with Nassco.