USS LSM-60

USS LSM-60

"LSM-60" was a World War II era landing ship, medium (LSM) amphibious assault ship of the US Navy. It was notable for being used as the float to suspend a fission bomb underwater during the Operation Crossroads BAKER test, becoming the first naval vessel to "use" a nuclear weapon. [The ill-fated USS|Indianapolis|CA-35 was the first to "carry" a nuclear weapon.]

World War II Service

"LSM-60"'s keel was laid on 7 July 1944 and she was launched on 29 July. [cite web |url= http://rasputin.physics.uiuc.edu/~wiringa/Ships/Period3/UnitedStates/Amphibious/LSM-60.html |title= LSM-60 |accessdate= 2006-12-26 ] She was commissioned on 25 August, LT. William W. Doar, USNR, commanding.cite web |url= http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/14/14060.htm |title= NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive LSM-60 |accessdate= 2006-12-26 ]

"LSM-60" participated in the assault landings at Iwo Jima, where she earned one battle star.

Operation Crossroads "ground" zero

In 1946, the United States conducted the first nuclear weapon tests designed to measure weapons effects, Operation Crossroads. The second shot of this test, BAKER, was designed to test the effects of an underwater nuclear blast on surface ships and submarines.

"LSM-60" was modified with a well through the cargo deck and hull, a derrick to lower the bomb through the well, and a large antenna to receive the detonation signal. On 25 July, a standard Mk. 3A "Fat Man" type atomic bomb, placed in a watertight casing, was suspended 90 feet below "LSM-60" in the lagoon of Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands.cite web |url= http://www.aracnet.com/~pdxavets/jordanj1.htm |title= Operation Crossroads |accessdate= 2006-12-26] At 0835 local time the bomb was detonated, destroying "LSM-60" and eight target ships, including USS|Saratoga|CV-3. [cite web |url= http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/Crossrd.html |title= Operation Crossroads 1946 |accessdate= 2006-12-26 ] "There was not one identifiable piece of the LSM 60 ever located."

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/14/14060.htm NavSource photos of LSM-60]
* [http://www.aracnet.com/~pdxavets/jordanj1.htm Atomic Veteran Joseph K. Jordan's account of LSM-60 and Operation Crossroads]

References


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