Frederick (LST 1184) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 8 text:

' -- •; ' •--?• -r §$lillt mmlt m$Mk fe ? 028W pSSjp i PREFACE Every deployment is a unique exper- ience unto itself. The ship, the people, the year, the season, those left behind, the new found friends, the weather, the good times, and the not-so good times are but a few of the contributing factors in making a cruise singular and distinctive. As we recall the cruise from its various moods and perspec- tives, let us remember that as individuals we all played a role in the total experience of WESTPAC ' 78. We departed San Diego on 17 March 1978 and returned on 5 October 1978. This cruise book is an attempt to capture in print some of the contributing factors from that span of time that made this cruise unique. The Editor lips A ;:-y m ml SEPTO , »■■« SKHB ill PHI? •?ni.-. $%$ tj f:i

Page 7 text:

USS FREDERICK LST-1184 USS FREDERICK ( LST-1 184) was named for the city and county of Frederick, Maryland, located in the West central portion of the state, which was first settled by the Germans in 1 733. It was named in honor of Frederick Calvert, Third Baron of Baltimore. Propraetor of the colony of Maryland. Frederick has featured significantly in American history. In 1755, it was the staging point for General Braddock ' s disastrous expedition against the French at Fort Duquesne. During the revolution, the city was an active center for the patriotic cause. Held alternately by Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War, the city became famous through John Greenleaf Whittier ' s poem, Barber Frietchie . Many famous people are associated with the city of Frederick. Francis Scott Key. author of the Star Spangled Banner , written in 1814 during the war with the British, was born a few miles north of Frederick. Barbara Frietchie, immortalized by the poet Whittier, is also remembered through the restoration of her historic home and glove shop. William Tyler Page, author of the American ' s Creed also was born in Frederick. Winfield Scott Schley, Commodore of the American Fleet which successfully destroyed the Spanish Fleet at Santiago Bay, Cuba on July 4, 1898, is another well- remembered son of Frederick. Roger Brook Taney, the fifth Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court lived in Frederick for over twenty-two years during which time he practiced law at the County Court House. He is most famous for his decision in the Dred Scott case in 1 857. The insignia (page 1 ) of USS FREDERICK is composed of distinguishable symbols of the sea, the amphibious fleet, and the sponsoring city and county. The Danforth anchor, since the origin of the LST ship, has been the symbol of this type, because of its use as a stern anchor during beaching operations. We have included the anchor in our insignia to signify the LST mission. The parted waves give a nautical theme and attempt to illustrate the bow wake caused by the new shape of this hull, and to stress the increased speed of our SUPER LST . The eagle encircled by a partial circle of stars is the seal of the city of Frederick. Diagonally opposite the eagle are the famed Clustered spires of the city. The remainder of the crest is a portion of the coat of arms of the Third Baron of Baltimore. This design is part of the Maryland State Seal and is incorporated into the Maryland State Flag. USS FREDERICK was built at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, California. Her keel was laid April 13, 1968. Launched on March 8, 1969, she was commissioned April 1 1, 1970 at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, California. FREDERICK is the sixth of the new class of fast Tank Landing Ships and represents a complete departure from the previous concept of Amphibious Tank Landing Ships. The traditional bow doors, which have characterized LST construction since the first vessels of this type were built during World War II, have been replaced by a 40-ton bow ramp supported by two distinctive derrick arms. The conventional fiat bottom hull has been redesigned to include a destroyer-type bow enabling FREDERICK to attain speeds in excess of 20 knots. This feature enables her to operate with modern high-speed amphibious forces. The ship ' s mission is to load and transport cargo, vehicles of all types, and troops to a combat area. It can launch amphibious vehicles via the gate at the stern, land vehicles on a beach or causeway over the bow ramp, operate helicopters from the helicopter deck, handle cargo with two ten-ton booms into boats or on to a pier, and carry over 350 combat troops and their equipment. The ship was built to include a modern gaily to prepare over 1 ,700 meals per day, roomy crew ' s berthing areas, a library, lounge, and sickbay. It is air- conditioned throughout. We carry the latest in radar and electronic navigation equipment. Modern, automatic engine and rudder controls are available on the bridge. FREDERICK is a unit of the Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and is attached to Amphibious Squadron THREE, homeported in San Diego, California.

Page 9 text:

.pUS-AK IE B O V tff St «. t JAW t ' C fr v p ?• - ■ I