Google

Click here to read or submit navy stories!

LST HOME PORT DISCUSSION GROUP Login as administrator
 Subject: RE: HIGGEN / LCVP
 
Author: James Craven
Date:   3/9/2012 1:42 pm CDT
Buddy,
I suspect you may have some Korean War era photos of the 1126. Would you email some to me for my files ... please.

Thank You,

Jim Craven

PS. From my first ship (LST 1157) to my last (LST 1187) the small work horse was called and known by all as an LCVP. I also served on an APA of WWII vintage that carried
a good number of the "VP's" as well as the Mike 6 landing craft.
Darn few (espically the young sailors) understood what Mr. Higgens did for the war effort by designing and building many of the 36' LCVP. His shops near New Orleans were loaded with females and other workers... all contributed to the nations goal of defeating the Axis powers. Many people do not realize he also produced several MTB's during WWII.

Jim
Reply To This Message

 Topics Author  Date      
 HIGGEN / LCVP   new  
we 3/8/2012 8:59 am CDT
 RE: HIGGEN / LCVP   new  
Anonymous 3/8/2012 3:57 pm CDT
 RE: HIGGEN / LCVP   new  
Anonymous 3/8/2012 6:04 pm CDT
 RE: HIGGEN / LCVP   new  
Buddy LST 1126 3/8/2012 10:24 pm CDT
 RE: HIGGEN / LCVP    
James Craven 3/9/2012 1:42 pm CDT
 RE: HIGGEN / LCVP   new  
dave 3/10/2012 0:20 am CDT
 RE: HIGGEN / LCVP   new  
Buddy LST 1126 3/10/2012 2:48 pm CDT
 Reply To This Message
 Your Name:  
 Your Email:  
 Subject:  
  Submission Validation Question: What is 69 - 52? *  
* indicates required field
     

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.