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| Subject: Chile Quake - LST803 Tidal Wave 1952 |
Author: Don Thompson
Date: 2/27/2010 1:11 pm CDT
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In probably about October of 1952 the 803 stopped at Midway on the way to Yokosuka, Japan. While there we received a warning as best as I can remember there had been an earthquake somewhere in the Pacific, perhaps on the Ocean floor, and a tidsl wave was coming to Midway where we were anchored. Captain Trotter came on the P.A. syatem, gave us a pep talk to batten everythin down, he had confidence in us, we went to battle stations, and we moved to inside a reef at the island if we were not alresdy there. My battle station was on the sound powered phones at the bottom of the ladder shaft down to the engine room. With images of a tidal wave hitting the ship, I was waithing for it to hit as I guess most othere were. I was in the engine room and couldn't see what was going on topside, so I was unaware of whatevet happened.
As it turned out, never felt anything. Other crew mwmbers said the island had been sort of washed over by the water but no real damage that I ever heard of. Talking to Captain Trotter at a reunion he said it was like the tide had risen and sort of lightly flooded the island I guess.
Doe's anybody else remember that 1952 tidal wave?
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Chile Quake - LST803 Tidal Wave 1952 |
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Don Thompson |
2/27/2010 1:11 pm CDT |
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Patrick Coovert |
2/28/2010 9:08 am CDT |
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SeaBat |
2/28/2010 1:22 pm CDT |
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Buddy LST 1126 |
2/28/2010 11:20 am CDT |
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D. THOMPSON |
3/5/2010 10:48 am CDT |
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Buddy LST 1126 |
3/5/2010 11:19 am CDT |
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SeaBat |
3/5/2010 11:31 pm CDT |
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D. THOMPSON |
3/10/2010 10:21 pm CDT |
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On May 21, 2005 a monument was unveiled in Seneca, Illinois, dedicated to all the workers, who built 157 LSTs at the Seneca “Prairie Shipyard” as well as all those who served on any LST during World War II, Korea, and Viet Nam. The monument contains seals of the US Navy, the US Coast Guard, the British LST Association, and the sponsoring organization, the Illinois LST Association.
The monument contains a sculpture of an LST on top of the gray marble center section. On the two flanking black marble sections are etchings of an LST being launched, an LST beached and unloading its cargo of tanks, and a woman shipyard welder. On the sides of the black sections all 157 LSTs constructed at Seneca are listed The monument stands in Crotty Park in Seneca, on property adjacent to the old Chicago Bridge and Iron shipyard.
Approximately 500 people from all over the country and Great Britain attended the dedication. After the dedication, approximately 200 of those in attendance gathered together for a catered lunch.
About 27,000 people worked at the shipyard during World War II. A number of those and/or their descendants attended the ceremony. They are rightly proud of their contribution to the war effort, as is the city of Seneca, Illinois, the home of the “Prairie Shipyard”.
During World War
2 there were 1051 LST's (Landing Ship Tank) built to carry
troops and supplies to American and Allied troops fighting
in Europe and the Pacific theaters. When WW2 ended most of
the LST's were scrapped, modified, or given to Navies of
other countries. Some remained in service and saw action in
Korea, Viet Nam, and even the Cuban Blockade.
A few WW2 type
LST's remain in service today, but not in the USA.
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