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-557


USS LSM-557 was transferred to Greece and renamed HNS Merlin (L-166)
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal
LSM-1 Class Landing Ship Medium:
  • Laid down, 23 March 1945, at US Navy Yard, Charleston, S.C.
  • Launched, 10 April 1945
  • Commissioned USS LSM-557, 22 October 1945, LTjg. James K. McMahon, USNR, in command
  • Decommissioned, 21 May 1946, at Green Cove Springs FL.
  • Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Florida Group, Green Cove Springs
  • Struck from the Naval Register (date unknown)
  • Transferred, 30 October 1958, to Greece and renamed Merlin (L-166)
  • Final Disposition, rammed and sunk, 15 November 1972, by M/V World Hero off the Western Greek coast, with 44 crew members lost
    Specifications:
    Displacement 520 t.(light), 743 t.(landing), 1,095 t.(fully loaded)
    Length 203' 6"
    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 AA gun mounts
    Vehicle/Boat Capacity 5 medium or 3 heavy tanks, or 6 LVT's, or 9 DUKW's
    Troop Accommodations 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-557
    LSM-558 127k Charleston Navy Yard fitting out pier "C" looking north to river end. Shop field offices and Building Ways 1 and 2 in background on left. Ships present LSM-556, LSM-557, LSM-558 front row. Second row LSM-553, LSM-554 and LSM-555. Beyond the LSMs is Tidewater (AD-31).
    Charleston Navy Yard photo # 1997-45    		 USS LSM / LSMR Association
    LSM-557 78k LSM-557 moored pierside, NAB Little Creek, VA., date unknown. John Kenney Jr. for his father John David Kenney GM3/c LSM-557
    LSM-557 69k LSM-557 crew photo along with an unidentified LSM crew in the background. Photo was probably taken at NAB Little Creek, VA., date unknown. John Kenney Jr. for his father John David Kenney GM3/c LSM-557
    LSM-557 185k LSM-557 preparing to come alongside another LSM with the assistance of a small tug, date and place unknown. Raymond G Gillis USS LSM-539
    LSM-557 89k LSM-557 preparing to make fast alongside another LSM, date and place unknown. Raymond G Gillis USS LSM-539
    HNS Merlin (L-166)
    LSM-557 49k ex-LSM-557 in Greek service as HNS Merlin (L-166) underway, date and place unknown.
    Official Hellenic Navy photo    		 Tony Vrailas
    LSM-557 53k ex-LSM-557 in Greek service as HNS Merlin (L-166) beached during amphibious exercises, date and place unknown.
    Official Hellenic Navy photo    		 Tony Vrailas
    LSM-557 59k ex-LSM-557 in Greek service as HNS Merlin (L-166) beached during amphibious exercises, date and place unknown.
    Official Hellenic Navy photo    		 Tony Vrailas
    The DANFS history extract for LSM-557 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 4 October 2004