Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster. Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

LSM-491


USS LSM-491 was transferred to the Federal Republic of Germany and named Eidechse (L-751)
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - China Service Medal (extended) - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
LSM-1 Class Landing Ship Medium:
  • Laid down (date unknown) at Brown Shipbuilding Co., Houston TX.
  • Launched (date unknown)
  • Commissioned USS LSM-491, 30 April 1945, LT. Aldo Bartolomei, USNR in command
  • During World War II LSM-491 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater
  • Following World War II LSM-491 performed occupation duty in the Far East including China service
  • Decommissioned, 27 November 1946, at Green Cove Springs FL.
  • Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Florida Group, Green Cove Springs
  • Transferred, 5 September 1958, to the Federal Republic of Germany, named Eidechse (L-751)
  • Struck from the US Naval Register (date unknown)
  • Final Disposition, disposed of by Germany, resold, 1977 to Ocean Offshore Services, Guernsey, Channel Islands, renamed Ocean Bay, used as a roll on-roll off cargo ship. last listed in 1993-94 Lloyd's Register of Ships
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown.
    Specifications:
    Displacement 520 t.(light), 743 t. (landing) 1,095 t.(fully loaded)
    Length 203' 6" oa
    Beam 34' 6"
    Draft light, 3' 6" forward, 7' 8" aft, fully loaded, 6' 4" forward, 8' 3" aft
    Speed 13.2 kts. (max.), (928 tons displacement)
    Complement 5 officers, 54 enlisted
    Armament one single bow mounted 40mm gun, four single 20mm gun mounts
    Vehicle/Boat Capacity 5 medium or 3 heavy tanks, or 6 LVT's, or 9 DUKW's
    Troop Capacity 2 officers, 46 enlisted
    Armor 10-lb. STS splinter shield to gun mounts, pilot house and conning station
    Propulsion two General Motors (non-reversible with airflex clutch) diesels. Direct drive with 1,440 BHP each @ 720rpm, twin screws
    Endurance 4,900 miles @ 12kts.(928 tons displacement)
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    USS LSM-491
    LSM-491 55k LSM-491 and LSM-308 entering the Advanced Base Section Dock ASBD-6 at Apra Harbor, Guam, Marianas Islands, date unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 USS LSM / LSMR Association
    LSM-491 55k LSM-491 in a Chinese port, date and place unknown. USS LSM / LSMR Association
    Thames River 62k Page one of the Schedule of Events pamphlet for the Transfer and Commissioning Ceremonies of six US Navy ships that will comprise the Federal Republic of Germany Second Landing Squadron, 5 September 1958 at US Naval Shipyard Charleston, S.C.
    Thames River LSM(R)-534 to Germany renamed Natter (L-755)
    Smyrna River LSM(R)-532 to Germany renamed Otter (L-754)
    LSM-537 to Germany named Krokodil (L-750)
    LSM-491 to Germany named Eidechse (L-751)
    LSM-553 to Germany named Salamander (L-752)
    LSM-558 to Germany named Viper (L-753)    		 Ingo Zeitz
    Thames River 45k Page two of the Transfer and Commissioning Ceremonies pamphlet for the six US Navy ships that will comprise the Federal Republic of Germany Second Landing Squadron, 5 September 1958 at US Naval Shipyard Charleston, S.C. Ingo Zeitz
    Eidechse (L-751)
    LSM-491 65k ex-LSM-491 in Federal Republic of Germany service as Eidechse (L-751) underway, date and place unknown.
    US Navy photo # USN 1038269    		 USS LSM / LSMR Association
    LSM-491 60k Eidechse (L-751) underway, date and place unknown.
    US Navy photo # USN 1038268    		 USS LSM / LSMR Association
    LSM-553 69k The four LSMs of the Federal Republic of Germany Second Landing Squadron moored pierside at the German Naval Base at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. From outboard to inboard;
    LSM-558 in Germany service as Viper (L-753)
    LSM-553 in Germany service as Salamander (L-752)
    LSM-537 in Germany service as Krokodil (L-750)
    LSM-491 in Germany service as Eidechse (L-751), date unknown.    		 Ingo Zeitz
    LSM-553 49k The four LSMs of the Federal Republic of Germany Second Landing Squadron beached during amphibious exercises, date and place unknown.From left to right;
    Eidechse (L-751)
    Krokodil (L-750)
    Salamander (L-752)
    Viper (L-753), date unknown.    		 Ingo Zeitz
    LSM-553 47k The three LSMs of the Federal Republic of Germany Second Landing Squadron beached during amphibious exercises, date and place unknown.From left to right;
    Salamander (L-752)
    Krokodil (L-750)
    Eidechse (L-751), date unknown.    		 Ingo Zeitz
    LSM-553 43k The three LSMs of the Federal Republic of Germany Second Landing Squadron beached during amphibious exercises, date and place unknown.From left to right;
    Salamander (L-752)
    Krokodil (L-750)
    Eidechse (L-751), date unknown.    		 Ingo Zeitz
    LSM-491 53k Eidechse (L-751) underway, circa 1960s, location unknown. Karsten Petersen
    The DANFS history extract for LSM-491 is from LSM-LSMR Amphibious Forces, Vol. II. Paducah, Kentucky: Turner Publishing Company, © 1997. (ISBN 1-56311-389-9).
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    USS LSM / LSMR Association
    Back to the Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Amphibious Ship Type Index Back To The Landing Ship Medium (LSM) Photo Index
    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.
    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 8 December 2006