at the Bath Iron Works.
Tom Green County (LST-1159) was laid down asLST-1159 on 2 September 1952 at Bath, Maine, by the Bath Iron Works.
The Bath Iron Works was considered by the the Navy to be one of the best ship building yards in the United States.The Bath Iron Works built more Destroyers than LSTs and some were being built at the same time as LST 1159.
| A Destroyer
under construction at the Bath Iron Works. |
Doing the job right. Our ships first drink, properly served, by a first swing shattering of a bottle of Champagne against the bow. Well done Mrs. Cowdry
LST 1159 was launched on 2 July 1953; sponsored
by Mrs. R. T. Cowdrey.
| Our ship eagerly tasting, for the first time, the salt water that would be her home for the next 19 years. Perhaps if she knew she would be asked to perform for 19 years, make 14 crossings of the Pacific Ocean, cruise 38,000 nautical miles in a single year, make a combat beaching, and be attacked and hit by enemy fire, she might not have been quite so eager. |
The dignitaries accompanying our ships sponsor are pleased with Mrs Cowdrys' performance.
During this period of time there was still work to be completed prior to commishioning and the first crew returned to Bath following LST orientation on a WW2 LST in Little Creek, Virginia.
Lst 1159 was commissioned on 12 September 1953, Lt. Comdr. Stephen J. Nemeth in command.
The Commissioning Ceremony was conducted at the Bath Iron Works Shipyard.
The band played the National Anthem as the American Flag is "two blocked" on this vessel that will become home for a large number of future sailors. Some just born, some still in diapers, but some a bit older at this time. Here she is. A proud new addition to the fleet of American Naval Vessels that are present all over the world, getting ready to take care of all the present and future sailors that will go to sea on her.
The Officers and Enlisted Men have been assembled for the
commisioning Ceremonies.
LTJG W.C. Parler, USN
First Lieutentant/Gunnery Officer
LT C.J. Moran Jr.,
USN
Executive Officer/Navigator
LCDR S.J.
Nemeth,USN
Commanding Officer
LTJG N.R. Baty,
USN
Engineer Officer/Damage Control Officer
ENS D.J.
Coffey,USN
Operations Officer/Communication
Officer
The Ensign, Jack, and Commishioning Pennant have been hoisted and Captain Nemeth reads the Commanding Officers Orders and assumes command of LST 1159. The Executive Officer is then ordered to set the first watch, and the ship is ours.
Doubling Point Light services the upper end of Fiddler's Reach on the Kennebec River, Maine. This marks the very begining of our ships First Cruise and this is the last view the crew of LST 1159 had of the Bath Iron Works Shipyard. You can see the shipyard cranes in the background.
LST 1159 followed a series of these aids to navigation as it made its way down the Kennebec River from the Bath Iron Works Ship Yard to the open sea. The lighthouse shown in the picture was built in 1899.
It is hard to explain the combined feelings of anxiety, excitement, and pleasure associated with the first time underway. That first trip down the Kenneback River generated that strange feeling which has been remembered for many years by that first crew.
Imagine the feelings the Captain had. Half of the crew responsible for running the ship were inexperienced apprentices (SAs nad FAs). Some of the Seamen, Petty Officers, and Officers were also new to sea duty. Here was the Captain, responsible for navigating and steaming safely to a destination, responsible for the safety of the crew, and having to get this job done with half the crew being teenagers and new to the sea. Wow!
She is finally doing what she was meant to do, in her own element, the sea. This was our first experience with that unique motion an LST has at sea. It seems to be an integration of pitch, yaw, and roll that never stops. They all blend together and makes it a challenge to get your "sea legs". Somewheres along the line this motion was referred to as "spooning" and the description was so apt it stuck. LST 1159 would provide this experience to many sailors over the next 19 years as she performed her duties where ever she was deployed. We wish her calm seas and balmy breezes on her journey.
