USS CHARLESTON was the first of five CHARLESTON - class amphibious cargo ships. Initially laid down as AKA 113 but redesignated LKA 113 on January 1, 1969, the USS CHARLESTON was transfered to the Naval Reserve Force in the early 1980s, but returned to the active fleet shortly afterwards because of the need for additional sealift capacity. Decommissioned on April 14, 1968, the CHARLESTON is now berthed at the Naval Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility at Philadelphia, Penn., where she is held in reserve to make her available in the case of a military emergency.

 

November 7, 2008, and show the CHARLESTON laid up at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.

 November 7, 2008, and show the CHARLESTON laid up at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.

General Characteristics:	Awarded: June 11, 1965
	Keel laid: December 5, 1966
	Launched: December 2, 1967
	Commissioned: December 14, 1968
	Decommissioned: April 27, 1992
	Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va.
	Propulsion system: two boilers, one geared turbine, one propeller shaft, 22,000 shaft horsepower
	Propellers: one
	Length: 575.5 feet (175.4 meters)
	Beam: 82 feet (25 meters)
	Draft: 25.6 feet (7.8 meters)
	Displacement: approx. 18,700 tons full load
	Speed: 20+ knots
	Aircraft: helicopter platform only
	Boats: 4 LCM-8, 4 LCM-6, 2 LCVP and 2 LCP
	Armament: two 20mm Phalanx CIWS
	Crew: Ship: 22 officers and 334 enlisted     USMC: 15 officers and 211 enlisted