_Shipped_in_No.1_Pier_of_Zhongzheng_Naval_Base_Right_Front_View_20130504.jpg) ROCSKao Hsiung in 2013 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | LST-735 |
| Builder | Dravo Corporation,Neville Island |
| Laid down | 30 January 1944 |
| Launched | 11 March 1944 |
| Sponsored by | Mrs. G. W. Fearnside |
| Commissioned | 26 April 1944 |
| Decommissioned | March 1946 |
| Recommissioned | 3 November 1950 |
| Renamed | Dukes County, 1 July 1955 |
| Namesake | Dukes County |
| Decommissioned | 1957 |
| Stricken | 1 November 1974 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Transferred to theRepublic of China, May 1957 |
| History | |
 Taiwan | |
| Name |
|
| Acquired | May 1957 |
| Commissioned | May 1957 |
| Renamed | Kao Hsiung |
| Namesake | Kao Hsiung |
| Reclassified | LCC-1, 1968[1] |
| Identification | Hull number: AGC-1 |
| Status | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | LST-542-classtank landing ship |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 328 ft (100 m) |
| Beam | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Draft |
|
| Propulsion | 2 ×General Motors12-567diesel engines, two shafts |
| Speed | 12knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) |
| Troops | Approximately 140 officers and enlisted men |
| Complement | 8-10 officers, 100-115 enlisted men |
| Armament |
|
USSDukes County (LST-735) was anLST-542-classtank landing ship built for theUnited States Navy duringWorld War II. Named afterDukes County, Massachusetts, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name. In 1957 she was decommissioned and leased to theRepublic of China. In 1962 she was commissioned intoRepublic of China Navy service.
LST-735 was laid down on 30 January 1944 atPittsburgh, Pennsylvania by theDravo Corporation ofNeville Island; launched on 11 March 1944; sponsored by Mrs. G. W. Fearnside; and commissioned on 26 April 1944 atNew Orleans, Louisiana.
During World War II,LST-735 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations: capture and occupation ofSaipan (August 1944);Lingayen Gulf landing (January 1945);Zambales-Subic Bay (January 1945); and the assault and occupation ofOkinawa Gunto (March through June 1945).
LST-735 was decommissioned in March 1946 and reactivated on 3 November 1950 when she performed service during theKorean War and after with Commander Mine Forces, Pacific. Assigned as aminesweeper support ship in July 1951, she made a Korean War deployment in 1952-53 and had additional Western Pacific tours in 1953-54 and 1955–56. RenamedUSSDukes County (LST-735) 1 July 1955.
LST-735 earned fourbattle stars for World War II service and three for Korean service.
The ship was subsequently decommissioned (date unknown) and leased to theRepublic of China (Taiwan) in May 1957 and again renamedChung Hsi (LST-219). She was outfitted in January 1962 as anamphibious command ship and renamedKao Hsiung(AGC-1, laterLCC-1). Struck from theNaval Vessel Register on 1 November 1974, she was sold to Taiwan.
Kao Hsiung later underwent refurbishment along with the rest of the ROCN's fleet of tank landing ships and is still serving with the ROC Navy and was visited in March 2012 by Fleet Master Chief John Minyard of Pacific Fleet Command. He reported that she is in outstanding condition and is battle ready.
In 2016 she was selected to host asMark 41 Vertical Launching System test bed for Taiwan.
In November 2019 it was reported that she had been decommissioned and was being used as a test ship for the Hsun Lien naval combat system project and had been fitted with a large phased array radar system and theMark 41 Vertical Launching System.[2]
In 2021 the vessel was fitted with theSea Oryx missile system.[3]
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This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
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