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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS Charles River (LSMR-408)
ex
 USS LSM(R)-408 (1948 - 1955)

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal
LSM(R)-401 Class Landing Ship Medium (Rocket):
  • Laid down, 22 January 1945, at US Naval Shipyard, Charleston, S.C.
  • Launched, 12 February 1945
  • Commissioned USS LSM(R)-408, 9 May 1945, LTjg George F. Fortune, USNR in command
  • Decommissioned, 16 January 1948, at San Diego, CA.
  • Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet
  • Named USS Charles River LSMR-408, 1 October 1955
  • Struck from the Naval Register in 1958
  • Final Disposition, sold in 1960, to Tacoma Tug & Barge Co., Tacoma, WA. and converted to a barge, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement
    light 758 t.
    attack 994 t.
    fully loaded 1,084 t.
    Length 203' 6" o.a.
    Beam 34' 6"
    Draft 7' 2' (lim)
    Speed 12.6 kts.
    Complement
    Officers 5
    Enlisted 133
    Armament
    one single 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount
    two twin 40mm gun mounts
    four twin 20mm gun mounts (after Korean War)
    ten twin tube continuous loading 5" spin stabilizer rocket launchers (two removed after Korean War)
    four 4".2 mortars (removed after Korean War)
    two .50 cal machine guns on the forecastle
    two .30 cal machine guns on the bridge wings.
    Armor 10-lb. STS on conning station, pilot-house, radio room, radar plot, and rocket control, 10-lb. ASPP around 40 and 20mm gun mounts and directors
    Fuel Capacity
    Diesel 1,225 Bbls
    Propulsion
    two General Motors 16-287A (non-reversing with airflex clutch) Diesel engines, direct drive with 1,440 BHP each @ 720rpm
    Ship's Service Generators
     four Diesel-drive 100Kw 450V A.C.
     two Diesel-drive 20Kw 120V D.C.
    twin screws 2,800 shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    LSM(R)-407 399k Official Launching Party for the dual launching of USS LSM(R)-408 and USS LSM(R)-407 at Charleston Navy Yard, 12 February 1945. From left to right;
    William M. Zeigler, Chairman, Charleston Navy Yard Central Shop Committee
    Miss Elizabeth Slaughter - Flower Girl to Mrs. J.E. Hunt
    Mrs. Clarence Slinn -Matron of Honor LSM(R)-407
    CAPT. J.E. Hunt SC USN, Supply Officer, Charleston Navy Yard
    Mrs. J.E. Hunt LSM(R)-407 Sponsor
    RADM. Jules James USN, Commandant 6th Naval District and Commanding Officer Charleston Navy Yard
    Mrs E.C. Seibert -Sponsor LSM(R)-408
    CAPT. E.C. Seibert, CEC USN Public Works Officer Charleston Navy Yard
    Mrs L.L. Furnell -Matron of Honor LSM(R)-408
    Mrs Montine N. Thompson -Flower Girl LSM(R)-408)    		 Dell Fortune
    LSM(R)-408 276k The Sponsor of USS LSM(R)-408, Mrs. E.C. Seibert breaks the traditional bottle of champagne over the ship's bow during the launching ceremony, 12 February 1945, at Charleston Navy Yard. Mrs Montine N. Thompson Flower Girl to Mrs. Seibert is also present on the platform
    US Navy photo    		 Dell Fortune
    LSM(R)-408 337k Mrs. E.C, Seibert, (center) wife of CAPT. E.C. Seibert, Public Works Officer of the Charleston Navy Yard, receives flowers from Mrs. Montine Thompson, a public works division employee before christening USS LSM(R)-408, launched in a dual ceremony at the Charleston Navy Yard February 12, 1945. Mrs. L.L. Furnell, wife of LCDR. L.L. Furnell, assistant to the Navy Yard 's Public Works Officer looks on.
    US Navy photo    		 Dell Fortune
    LSM(R)-408 318k W. M. Zeigler, left, Chairman of the Charleston Navy Yard's Central. Shop Committee presents a silver gift is the sponsor of USS LSM(R)-408, Mrs. E.C. Seibert, wife of CAPT. Seibert, Public Works Officer of the Charleston Navy Yard. Right, looking on is Mrs. L.L, Furnell, wife of LCDR. Furnell, assistant to the Public Works Officer, who was matron of honor to Mrs. Seibert,
    US Navy photo    		 Dell Fortune
    LSM(R)-408 56k LTjg George Fortune, reads his orders while assuming command of USS LSM(R)-408, 9 May 1945, at the Navy Yard Charleston, S.C.
    US Navy photo    		 Dell Fortune
    LSM(R)-408 77k USS LSM(R)-408 officers. top left to right: John Anderson (Supply and Assistant Gunnery), Charles Ruth (Engineering), William Reynolds (1st Lieutenant), bottom row: O Clayton Herbert (Executive Officer), George Fortune (Commanding Officer), Al Onofrio (Gunnery).
    US Navy photo    		 Dell Fortune
    LSM(R)-408 282k USS LSM(R)-408 crew photos.
    US Navy photos    		 Dell Fortune
    LSM(R)-408 327k
    LSM(R)-408 353k
    LSM(R)-408 252k
    LSM(R)-408 317k
    LSM(R)-408 94k USS LSM(R)-408 40mm gun crew, date and place unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Dell Fortune
    LSM(R)-408 83k USS LSM(R)-408 underway, date and place unknown.
    From the collection of Samuel L. Morison.    		 USS LSM / LSMR Association
    LSM(R)-408 67k USS LSM(R)-408 underway, date and place unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 USS LSM / LSMR Association
    The DANFS history extract for USS LSM(R)-408 / USS Charles River LSMR-408 is from LSM-LSMR Amphibious Forces, Vol. II. Paducah, Kentucky: Turner Publishing Company, © 1997. (ISBN 1-56311-389-9).
    Commanding Officers
    01LTjg. Fortune, George F., USNR9 May 1945 - May 1946
    02LT. Smith, Robert Barr, USNMay 1946 - 1947
    03LT. Beyer, Clarence Robert, USN (USNA 1943)1947 - ?
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 11 June 2021