Aft-mounted anti-aircraft gun
photo by Dennis Norwood
Captain's quarters
photo by Dennis Norwood
Crew members in the galley
photo by Dennis Norwood
Deuce and a half truck
photo by Dennis Norwood
Entering the LST's tank deck. The ship could hold up to 20 Sherman tanks.
photo by Dennis Norwood
Looking towards the bow
photo by Dennis Norwood
Officer's quarters
photo by Dennis Norwood
Paying homage to the the LST-325's service with the Greek Navy
photo by Dennis Norwood
Signal flags flying in the breeze
photo by Dennis Norwood
Street singer provided entertainment
photo by Dennis Norwood
The lines were still long on the USS LST-325's last day in Chattanooga
photo by Dennis Norwood
The USS LST-325 moored on the Chattanooga riverfront
photo by Dennis Norwood
The wheel house
photo by Dennis Norwood
This jeep was used as a prop in the MASH television series
photo by Dennis Norwood
Various items used during wartime
photo by Dennis Norwood
Various pumps and valves used aboard the ship
photo by Dennis Norwood
Visitors mill about the tank deck
photo by Dennis Norwood
Wheel house and crow's nest
photo by Dennis Norwood
WWII Army field radio receiver
photo by Dennis Norwood
Chattanooga will bid farewell on Thursday to the World War II USS LST 325 after setting the record for the most visits to the historic ship.
The rare piece of history has been docked at Ross's Landing since last Thursday.
LST 325 will depart from Ross's Landing at 8 a.m.
The ship will not only fire the 40 mm Bofers guns as a send off, but will also blast 'Anchors Away' as she heads home to Indiana.
Bob Jornlin, commanding officer of the WWII LST, said Chattanooga has been a record breaking port of interest, topping the former highest number of visitors during port in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh recorded 17,000 visitors. Chattanooga had beaten that number by ship's closing Tuesday.
The USS LST 325 participated in the D-Day Invasion on June 6, 1944, as well as other invasions and occupations. It was launched on Oct. 27, 1942, and commissioned on Feb. 1, 1943. On Sept. 1, 1961, the ship was struck from the Naval Register of Ships and transferred to the National Defense Reserve Fleet. In November 1999, by act of the Congress of the United States, she was given to the LST Ship Memorial, Inc.
LST 325 now visits waterfront cities across the country to offer a rare glimpse of this piece of history. Home port for LST 325 is Evansville, Ind., where daily tours are available.
It will take LST 325 about four days to return home.