Duluth (LPD 6) - Naval Cruise Book

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SS DULUTH LPD - . Bold In Action r The DULUTH is an amphibious transport dock CLPDD, which is one of the most versatile classes of ships in the Navy. The LPD combines the functions of four different classes of ships, the dock landing ship CLSDIP, the tank landing ship CLSTQ, the attack transport QLPAQ and the attack cargo ship CLKAD. The DULUTH is named after the city of Duluth, Minnesota, which is in turn named after the French explorer Daniel Greysolon Seiur du Lhut. Du Lhut lived from 1636 - 1710, and gained fame when he set out on an expedition to Lake Superior to pacify the Indians and end the Ojibwa - Sioux War. DULUTH was constructed at the New York Naval Shipyard, and her keel was laid on December 18, 1963. She was commissioned there on December 18, 1965, and is the last fighting ship to be commissioned at that shipyard. She is over.569 feet long with a beam of 110 feet. Her displacement is approximately 16,710 tons, and she has a sustained speed capability of twenty knots. Due to her design, DULUTH maneuvers as easily as a destroyer. DULUTH can carry four medium landing craft or one LCU boat, six amphibious transport helicopters or three CH53's, and over 900 combat troops. She can also carry 2,000 tons of supplies and equipment, all in addition to her ready crew of officers and enlisted men. 0 i '1 2 9 1 l C -A

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'l HIPS SEAL 0R 1TER xS D- 5 QULUTH Lp The ship's insignia serves as a constant reminder of the ship's link with the past, as well as her role in the future. In color, the shield is red and blue, symbolizing the Navy-Marine Corps team concept required for amphibious operations. The diagonal band of five stars is a duplicate of the center of the great seal of the city of Duluth, Minnesota. The motto Fortiter In Re 'is a Latin expression which idiomatically translates as Bold in Action .

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DULUTH is unique in having a helicopter platform built over a well deck in the rear of the vessel. This provides the tactical advantage of being able to lift troops, their combat equipment and supplies onto the same ship. Therefore, the ship contributes to all phases of the amphibious assault. The well deck is a large hollow area inside the hull of the ship. Located within the well deck are upper and lower vehicle storage areas, which hold most of the embarked troop's heavy combat equipment, such as tanks and jeeps. To facilitate the docking and loading of various sized landing craft, the ship can ballast down under the water, thereby flooding the well deck with enough water to enable the landing craft to enter through the stern gate door. Once docked inside the well deck, troops, supplies, and combat equipment can be loaded on to or off of the amphibious boats and vehicles. .- Flight operations play a major role in amphibious warfare. The DULUTH can bring troops and supplies aboard by any of the helicopters in the Navy and Marine Corps inventories. DULUTH can land, load, and launch 2 CH53's with 70 fully equipped combat troops in less than two minutes. Through radio contact and visual communications from our well-trained airmen, the helicopters are guided to a safe landing on the flight deck. Today our Air Department maintains a perfect record of over 18,000 accident-free helo landings. Fuel replenishments are provided to the helicopters when needed. The Amphibious Operation The purpose of an amphibious operation is to establish a landing force on a hostile shore, and to secure that territory. The job of DULUTH is to move troops and their supplies to an area most strategicly suited for anefficient assault landing. Amphibious warfare integrates all types of ships, aircraft, landing forces and weapons, in a concentrated military effort. Close cooperation and detailed coordination between all participating forces is essential to the success of an amphibious exercise. There must be a clear understanding of mutual obligations, special capabilities, and problems of each component. These operations include detailed planning, embarkation of troops and equipment, rehearsal movement to the objective area, final preparation, the assault landing itself, and support of the landing force until the operation has ended. As an LPD, the DULUTH plays a unique role in amphibious operations, and having a well-trained and ready crew is absolutely necessary. From line handlers and signalmen, to the essential task of maintaining communications between all stations, each man must understand his job. The crew of DULUTH are known for their high standards of performance, and enable DULUTH to fulfill her rigorous role in the Gator Navy . I A r