USS LST-520

ROCS Chung Shu
History
United States
Name	LST-520
Builder	Chicago Bridge and Iron Co., Seneca
Laid down	24 September 1943
Launched	31 January 1944
Sponsored by	Mrs. Jane G. Gongaware
Commissioned	28 February 1944
Decommissioned	13 January 1946
Reclassified	Q013, 13 January 1946 T-LST-520, 31 March 1952
Stricken	1 October 1958
Identification	Callsign: NDZD
Honors and awards	See Awards
Fate	Transferred to Republic of China, 1 October 1958
Taiwan
Name	Chung Shu (中肅)
Acquired	1 October 1958
Commissioned	16 September 1958
Decommissioned	16 December 1990
Identification	Hull number: LST-228
General characteristics
Class and type	LST-491-class tank landing ship
Displacement	1,625 long tons (1,651  t) (light) 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) (full (seagoing draft with 1,675 short tons (1,520  t) load) 2,366 long tons (2,404 t) (beaching)
Length	328  ft (100  m) oa
Beam	50 ft (15 m)
Draft	Unloaded: 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) forward; 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) aft Full load: 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m) forward; 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft Landing with 500 short tons (450 t) load: 3 ft 11 in (1.19 m) forward; 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) aft
Installed power	2 × 900  hp (670  kW) Electro-Motive Diesel 12-567A diesel engines 1,700  shp (1,300  kW)
Propulsion	1 × Falk main reduction gears 2 × Propellers
Speed	12  kn (22  km/h; 14  mph)
Range	24,000 nmi (44,000 km; 28,000 mi) at 9 kn (17 km/h; 10 mph) while displacing 3,960 long tons (4,024 t)
Boats & landing craft carried	6 x LCVPs
Capacity	1,600–1,900 short tons (3,200,000–3,800,000  lb; 1,500,000–1,700,000  kg) cargo depending on mission
Troops	16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement	13 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament	Varied, ultimate armament 2 × twin 40 mm (1.57 in) Bofors guns 4 × single 40 mm Bofors guns 12 × 20 mm (0.79 in) Oerlikon cannons

USS LST-520 was a LST-491-class tank landing ship in the United States Navy during World War II. She was transferred to the Republic of China Navy as ROCS Chung Shu (LST-228). ^[1]

Construction and career

LST-520 was laid down on 24 September 1943 at Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company, Evansville, Indiana. Launched on 31 January 1944 and commissioned on 28 February 1944. ^[2]

Service in the United States Navy

During World War II, LST-503 was assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle theater but later changed Asiatic-Pacific theater. She then participated in the Invasion of Normandy from 6 to 25 June 1944.

She participated in the invasion of Okinawa and later took occupation there from 16 May to 30 June 1945. She assigned to Occupation service in the Far East from Occupation 20 September to 3 October 1945, 17 to 28 October 1945, 14 November to 22 December 1945 and 3 to 13 January 1946.

She was decommissioned on 13 January 1946 and came under the Commander Naval Forces Far East (COMNAVFE) Shipping Control Authority for Japan (SCAJAP), redesignated Q013.

Transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), 31 March 1952, and placed in service as USNS T-LST-520.

LST-520 was struck from the Navy Register on 1 October 1958 and transferred to the Republic of China.

Service in the Republic of China Navy

She was commissioned into the Republic of China Navy on 16 September 1958 and renamed ROCS Chung Shu(LST-228) and was subordinate to the Deng Er Fleet Department (136 Fleet Department).

In January 1959, weapons were installed at the Hai No. 1 Plant, and in January 1967, the Xinzhong No. 1 modernization was implemented at the Keelung Taiwan Shipyard and the refit was carried out.

During the naval service period, the ship performed out-of-island transportation, supplementary training, and exercise training. It was able to display mutual assistance, cooperation, and the spirit of unity and struggle, and it was successfully completed.

Due to the gradual decrease in transportation and replenishment tasks, a simple seal was ordered on 16 December 1990. ^[3]

Awards

LST-520 have earned the following awards:

• American Campaign Medal
• European-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (1 battle star)
• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1 battle star)
• Navy Occupation Medal (with Asia clasp)
• World War II Victory Medal

Citations

1. "Tank Landing Ship LST". www.navsource.org. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
2. "LST-520". NHHC. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
3. Kevin Michael Rudd (18 November 2019). "中、美之間可否避免一戰？" [Can China and the United States Avoid War?](PDF). Retrieved 13 September 2021.

Sources

• United States. Dept. of the Treasury (1962). Treasury Decisions Under the Customs, Internal Revenue, Industrial Alcohol, Narcotic and Other Laws, Volume 97. U.S. Government Printing Office.
• Moore, Capt. John (1984). Jane's Fighting Ships 1984-85. Jane's Information Group. ISBN   978-0710607959.
• Saunders, Stephen (2009). Jane's Fighting Ships 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. ISBN   978-0710628886.
• Fairplay International Shipping Journal Volume 222. United Kingdom: Fairplay Publishing Limited. 1967.