USS LST-649

USS LST-649 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. She was sold to the Republic of Singapore Navy and renamed RSS Resolution (L-204).[1]

History
United States
Name: USS LST-649
Builder: Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, Seneca, Illinois
Laid down: 19 July 1944
Launched: 6 October 1944
Commissioned: 26 October 1944
Renamed: USNS T-LST-649
Decommissioned: 5 March 1946
Recommissioned: 31 March 1952
Decommissioned: Late 1960s
Fate: Sold to Republic of Singapore Navy, 5 December 1975
Singapore
Name: RSS Resolution
Namesake: Resolution
Acquired: 5 December 1975
Commissioned: 1 July 1971 (on loan)
Decommissioned: 1999
Homeport: Tuas Naval Base, Singapore
Identification: L-204
Status: Training ship
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
Length: 328 ft (99.97 m)
Beam: 50 ft (15.24 m)
Draught:
  • Bow 2'-4", stern 7'-6" (unloaded)
  • bow 8'-2", stern 14'-1" (unloaded)
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
Depth: 8' fwd; 14'-4" aft (full load)
Propulsion: Two General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed: 12 knots (22 km/h)
Boats & landing
craft carried:		 Two LCVPs
Troops: 16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement: 7 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament:
Aviation facilities: Deck as helipad

Construction and commissioning

USS LST-649 was laid down on 19 July 1944 at Seneca, Illinois, by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company. She was launched on 6 October 1944 and commissioned on 26 October 1944 with a Lieutenant T. P. Mulligan in command.

Service in United States Navy

1940s

During World War II, LST-649 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign and participated in Okinawa Gunto Operations, the invasion of southern Okinawa on 26 March to 30 June 1945. At the close of World War II, LST-649 remained in active service in Amphibious Force, United States Navy on the Far East. LST-649 was decommissioned on 5 March 1946, assigned for Commander Naval Forces Far East (COMNAVFE) Shipping Control Authority for Japan (SCAJAP) and redesignated as Q058.

1950s

LST-649 was transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), 31 March 1952 and redesignated as USNS T-LST-649.

1960s

T-LST-649 made a trip to Vietnam during the Vietnam War carrying cargos. She beached at a ramp north of Chu Lai Vietnam Marine compound on 12 March 1966. She was stricken and decommissioned in late 1960s.

Service in Republic of Singapore Navy

1970s

T-LST-649 was on loan since 1 July 1971 but finally sold to Singapore on 5 December 1975 and was renamed as RSS Resolution (L-204).

Resolution was docked alongside Bedok Jetty to support Operation Thunderstorm. The Vietnamese refugees took shelter inside of Resolution until the storm passed. Those who landed at Tanjong Rhu in a fishing trawler were provided with fuel and supplies to leave Singapore for another destination on 18 December 1978.[2]

1980s-1990s

RSS Resolution participated in Bedok Jetty exercise in late 1980s alongside her sister ship RSS Excellence (L-202).[3][4] RSS Resolution and 4 of her sister ships were decommissioned in 1999 following the newly commissioned RSS Endurance (LS-207).

2000s-2010s

Resolution now docked in Tuas Naval Base, Singapore to this day as a training ship since 2000s and sometimes spotted holding containers on its deck.[5] RSS Resolution is last in existence of the LST-542-class in the Republic of Singapore Navy.[6]

Awards and honors

References
  1. "Tank Landing Ship LST". www.navsource.org. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
  2. "Landing Ship Tank (LST), RSS Resolution, L204, alongside …". www.nas.gov.sg. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
  3. Boey, David (2020-04-21). "Senang Diri: Circuit Breaker Day 15 pix: Republic of Singapore Navy Tank Landing Ships LSTs at Bedok Jetty". Senang Diri. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
  4. "Visitors queuing up to board Landing Ship Tank (LST), RSS …". www.nas.gov.sg. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  5. "RSS Resolution L204 - ShipSpotting.com - Ship Photos and Ship Tracker". www.shipspotting.com. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
  6. "Ministry of Defence (Singapore)". 21c. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
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