USS Newport (LST-1179)

The USS "Newport" (LST-1179) was the third ship to bear the name of the Rhode Island city. The first of her class of LSTs, she was capable of a sustained speed of convert|20|kn|km/h. Her ability to adjust her draft, accompanied by her unique bow-ramp design, helped bring a new degree of responsiveness to the amphibious fleet.

Built by the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, she was christened on 3 February 1968 by Mrs. Nuella Pell; wife of Rhode Island's Senator, Claiborne Pell.

While assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, "Newport" completed ten deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, as an asset of the Sixth Fleet. She also completed numerous deployments to the North Atlantic, and Caribbean, in support of U.S. foreign policy. She assisted in the 1976 evacuation of Lebanon, and the 1990 Liberian Civil War; as well as operating in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, from a station in the Mediterranean.

During her service, she earned the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy "E" Ribbon (for Battle Efficiency), (twice), Navy Expeditionary Medal (one service star), National Defense Service Medal (one service star), Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (nine service stars), and a Secretary of State Tribute of Appreciation.

Fate

USS "Newport" was decommissioned on 30 September 1992, at her homeport of NAB Little Creek, Virginia. After several years in the Navy's mothball facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was sold to the Mexican Navy. Rechristened at Mexican Naval Shipyard Number 1 (ASTIMAR-1), Tampico, Tamaulipas Mexico, as Mexican Navy Ship (ARM in SPanish) "Papaloapan" (P-411).

In late 2005, the ARM "Papaloapan" (P-411) (former USS "Newport") answered the call of the United States once again, bringing aid and supplies to citizens of Mississippi, who fell victim to Hurricane Katrina.

Deployments

*August 1972; Caribbean
*November 1973 – June 1974; Regular Overhaul
*August 1974 – Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
*January 1975 - March 1975; Caribbean
*August 1975 ; Caribbean
*October 1975 – December 1975; North Atlantic
*March 1976; Caribbean
*June 1976 – December 1976; Mediterranean
*June 1977; Caribbean
*February 1978 – August 1978; Mediterranean
*September 1978 – September 1979; Regular OverhaulInitially dry docked at Portsmouth Naval Ship Yard, followed by move to Horn Brother, Newport News, VA. Commander William Naldrett relives Commander Fred - June 1979.
*October 1979; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba/HaitiRefresher training after Regular Overhaul included a post visit to Pot Au Prince, Haiti.
*February 1980; North Atlantic
March 12, 1980 - Crosses Arctic Circle off the coast of Norway.
*July 1980; Caribbean
*August 1980 – February 1981; North Atlantic-Mediterranean–Indian Ocean
November 5, 1980 - Shellback Initiation off the coast of Kenya
*January 1982 – Mediterranean-Indian Ocean
March 17, 1982 - Fire destroys #3 Engine Room while anchored off Somalia
*April 1982 – December 1982; yard period
*December 1982; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
*January 1983 - April 1983; North Atlantic
*September 1984 – February 1985; Mediterranean
*April 1986; Caribbean
*January 1987 – August 1987; Mediterranean
*December 1988 – June 1989; Mediterranean
*September 1989 – March 1990; regular overhaul
*April 1990; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
*August 1990 – March 1991; Mediterranean – West AfricaDecember 1990 - Shellback Initiation off the coast of Liberia
*November 1991 – June 1992; Mediterranean
*September 1992; decommissioned

Gallery

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/n4/newport-iii.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Newport"]
* [http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/LST1179.htm NVR - "Newport"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/161179.htm navsource.org: USS "Newport"]
* [http://www.hullnumber.com/LST-1179 LST-1179 Personnel Roster at HullNumber.com]