USS LST-998

USS LST-998 was an LST-542-class tank landing ship in the United States Navy. Like many of her class, she was not named and is properly referred to by her hull designation.

History
United States
Name	USS LST-998
Laid down	8 April 1944
Launched	14 May 1944
Commissioned	29 June 1944
Decommissioned	26 June 1946
Fate	Sold, 4 November 1948
Stricken	31 July 1946
Honours and awards	one battle star
Argentina
Name	ARA Cabo San Francisco de Paula BDT-3
Acquired	14 November 1948
Out of service	1968
Identification	IMO number: 5402057
General characteristics
Class and type	LST-542-class LST
Displacement	1,490 tons (light); 4,080 tons (full load of 2,100 tons)
Length	328 ft (100 m)
Beam	50 ft (15 m)
Draft	8 ft (2.4 m) forward; 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m) (full load)
Propulsion	Two diesel engines, two shafts
Speed	10.8 knots (20 km/h) (max); 9 knots (17 km/h) (econ)
Complement	7 officers, 204 enlisted
Armament	8 × 40 mm guns; 12 × 20 mm guns

History

LST-998 was laid down on 8 April 1944 at the Boston Navy Yard; launched on 14 May 1944, sponsored by Miss Olga M. Lessa; and commissioned on 29 May 1944.

LST-998 apparently did not see combat service during World War II.

Following World War II, LST-998 performed occupation duty in the Far East and saw service in China until late March 1946. She returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 26 June 1946 and struck from the Navy list on 31 July that same year. On 4 November 1948, the ship was sold to the Northwest Merchandising Service, renamed Don Ernesto and entered service in Argentina.

Argentine service

In Argentine Navy service, Don Ernesto was redesignated BDT-3 (Buque Desembarco de Tanques), and was named ARA Cabo San Francisco de Paula. She was retired in 1968.

References

 This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

Bibliography

• Friedman, Norman (2002). US Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-250-1.

External links

• Photo gallery of LST-998 at NavSource Naval History