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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

HM LCI(L)-274


LCI(L)-274 transferred to the United Kingdom for the duration of World War II
LCI-1 Class Landing Craft Infantry (Large):
  • Laid down January 1943, at New Jersey Shipbuilding, Barber, N.J.
  • Launched in January 1943
  • Delivered 9 February 1943
  • Transferred to the United Kingdom under terms of the Lend-Lease Act, commissioned HM LCI(L)-274
  • During World War II HM LCI(L)-274 was assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater and carried the British 1st Special Air Service Regiment under the designation of the Special Raiding Squadron, commanded by a Lt. Col. Blair "Paddy" Mayne DSO (3bars) Legion D'Honneur Croix De Guerre
  • HMS (LCI(L)-274 carried British special/commandos during Operation Baytown and Operation Avalnche
  • HMS (LCI(L)-274 also carried out landings in Italy, at Bagnara on 3 September 1943 and at Termoli 5 October 1943
  • Returned to US Naval custody, 27 March 1946
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 8 May 1946
  • Transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal
  • Final Disposition, sold, 18 March 1948, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 236 t.(light), 264 t.(landing), 419 t.(loaded)
    Length 158' 5½"
    Beam 23' 3"
    Draft
    Light, 3'1½" mean
    Landing, 2' 8" forward, 4' 10" aft
    Loaded, 5' 4" forward, 5' 11" aft
    Speed
    16 kts (max.)
    14 kts maximum continuous
    Complement
    4 officers
    24 enlisted
    Troop Capacity
    6 officers
    182 enlisted
    Cargo Capacity 75 tons
    Armor 2" plastic splinter protection on gun turrets, conning tower and pilot house
    Endurance 4,000 miles at 12 kts, loaded, 500 miles at 15 knots; and 110 tons of fuel
    Armament
    five single 20mm guns, one bow mounted, one each port and starboard forward of wheelhouse, one each port and starboard aft of wheelhouse
    on some LCIs two .50 cal machine guns were added
    Fuel Capacity
    Diesel 860 Bbls
    lube oil 200 gal
    Propulsion
    two sets of 4 General Motors 6051 series 71 Diesel engines, 4 per shaft
    single General Motors Main reduction gears
    two Diesel-drive 30Kw 120V D.C. Ship's Service Generators
    twin variable pitch propellers, 2,320shp
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    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Source
    LCI(L)-20 115k HM LCI(L)-274, USS LCI(L)-20 and USS LCI(L)-39 beached while landing assault troops at Anzio, 22 January 1944. LCI(L)-20 suffered a direct hit by a German bomb aft of midships and was abandoned. Photo courtesy Gordon Smith QM1/c USS LCI(L)-43 to the USS Landing Craft Infantry National Association. Ardie Hunt
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 4 April 2014