BRP Benguet

BRP Benguet (LS-507) is a LST-542-class tank landing ship currently serving the Philippine Navy.

BRP Benguet departing at Captain Veloso Pier
History
United States
NameUSS LST-692
BuilderJeffersonville Boat & Machine Company, Jeffersonville, Indiana
Laid down7 February 1944
Launched31 March 1944
Commissioned10 May 1944
Decommissioned1946
Recommissioned1951
RenamedUSS Daviess County (LST-689), 1 July 1955
NamesakeDaviess County
Stricken1 June 1964
Honours and
awards
FateTransferred to the Philippines, 13 September 1976
Philippines
NameBRP Benguet (LS-507)
NamesakeProvince of Benguet
OperatorPhilippine Navy
Acquired13 September 1976
Renamed
  • BRP Benguet (LT-507) – until April 2016
  • BRP Benguet (LS-507) – from April 2016
StatusIn active service
General characteristics
Class and typeLST-542-class tank landing ship
Displacement
  • 1,780 long tons (1,809 t) light
  • 3,640 long tons (3,698 t) full
Length328 ft (100 m)
Beam50 ft (15 m)
Draft
  • Unloaded :
  • 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) forward
  • 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) aft
  • Loaded :
  • 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward
  • 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
Propulsion2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried
2 LCVPs
TroopsApproximately 140 officers and enlisted men
Complement8-10 officers, 100-115 enlisted men
Armament

Formerly known as USS Daviess County (LST-692), it was an LST-542-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after counties in Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name. She served in World War II and during the Korean War. The US Government transferred Daviess County to the Philippine Navy in 1976, which renamed her BRP Benguet (LT-507). A new classification system implemented in April 2016 changed her hull number from LT-507 to LS-507.

Service history

United States service

LST-692 was laid down on 7 February 1944 at Jeffersonville, Indiana, by the Jeffersonville Boat & Machine Company; launched on 31 March 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Alma D. Voelker; and commissioned on 10 May 1944.

During World War II, LST-692 was assigned to the European Theater and participated in the invasion of southern France in August and September, 1944. Decommissioned in 1946, she was placed in the reserve fleet at Green Cove Springs, Florida until reactivated in 1951. She performed active service during the Korean War and thereafter. LST-692 was redesignated USS Daviess County (LST-692) on 1 July 1955.

LST-692 earned one battle star for World War II service and two battle stars for Korean service.

Daviess County was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 June 1964 and transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) where she operated as T-LST-692.

Philippine service

The US Government transferred Daviess County to the Philippine Navy on 13 September 1976, which renamed her to BRP Benguet (LT-507). In 1999, the Philippines stationed Benguet on Scarborough Shoal. China then urged the Philippines to remove her, and the Philippines immediately replied that it would do so. However, the Philippines only removed BRP Benguet from Scarborough Shoal shortly before the official visit of Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji to Manila.[1] After the Philippines removed BRP Benguet, she went aground again on Pag-asa Island in 2004, but was removed again and still serves the Philippine Navy today.

In September 2018, the BRP Benguet along with the BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407), BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and BRP Nestor Reinoso (PG-380) secured and assisted the BRP Gregorio del Pilar (FF-15) which ended up being grounded at the Hasa-Hasa Shoal (also known as the Half Moon Shoal) in the South China Sea. The BRP Gregorio del Pilar was eventually pulled out from the shoal a couple of days later.[2][3]

Citations

References

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