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

USAV Naha (LCU-1678)


LCU-1646 Landing Craft Utility
  • Built in 1977 by Marinette Marine, Marinette, WI.
  • Launched, 1977
  • Delivered, 1977
  • Retired from US Army service in January 2003
  • Sold in September 2007 to Stradbroke Ferries, named MV Moreton Escape, reflagged Australia
  • MV Moreton Escape provides car ferry service around the Southern Moreton Bay Islands
  • Company name changed to Sealink, date unknown
  • Current Disposition, active
    Specifications:
    Displacement 200 t.(lt), 375 t.(fl)
    Length 134.9'
    Beam 29'
    Draft 6' 1"
    Speed 11 kts.
    Complement 14
    Armament
    four .50 cal. machine guns
    two M60 machine guns
    one M203 grenade launcher
    twelve M16 rifles
    two 9mm pistols
    Load 170 tons
    Military Lift three M1A1 tanks, 10 LAVs or 400+ troops, 125 tons of cargo.
    Radar Navigation: LN 66 or SPS-53; I band.
    Propulsion
    two Detroit 12V-71 Diesel engines
    twin shafts, 680shp sustained, Kort nozzles
    Fuel Capacity 3220 gals.
    Range 1,200nm at eight knots

    Morton Island Specifications:
    Passengers: 204 maximum
    Length: 134.9'
    Breadth: 29'
    Door Width: 13.8'
    Capacity: 22 cars
    Wheelhouse Clearance: N/A


    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Source
    USAV Naha (LCU-1678)
    Naha
    1018167803
    53k
    Namesake
    Naha - The port and capital of Okinawa prefecture, Ryukyu Islands, on the East China Sea. It developed into an important military center and was heavily damaged by U.S. forces in fighting in May and early June 1945, during World War II. In the battle for Okinawa, one of the chief difficulties was the failure to capture the port of Naha as early as planned. On May 23, 1945, the sixth Marine Division stormed into Naha to turn the enemy's west flank. The first Marine Division in the center took Shuri Castle on May 29th. On the right the XXIV Corps punched relentlessly southward, outflanking the line on the east. Temporary unloading points were developed on the coast between Machinato and Naha in further support of the III
    Photo - The extent of the destruction of Naha, capital of Okinawa, is indicated in this photograph showing a Marine Grasshopper (observation plane) flying low over the war-wrough ruins. Few buildings were spared, and sunken ships dot th harbor. (AP Wirephoto from Marine Corps)
    Map - Of U.S. Army in Okinawa (U.S. Army)
    Tommy Trampp
    Naha
    1018167804
    45k
    Naha
    1018167801
    203k Naha (LCU-1678) and Marseilles (LCU-1669) beached on the island of Dominica wait for the equipment of the 92nd Infantry Brigade, Puerto Rico National Guard to be offloaded during Exercise Camille, 5 March 1987.
    US Army Photo by SPC Charles W. Gross
    Tommy Trampp
    Naha
    1018167802
    209k Naha (LCU-1678) and Marseilles (LCU-1669) beached on the island of Dominica as the equipment of the 92nd Infantry Brigade, Puerto Rico National Guard is offloaded during Exercise Camille, 5 March 1987.
    US Army Photo by SPC Charles W. Gross
    Tommy Trampp
    Naha
    1018167815
    8875k Ex-USAV Naha (LCU-1678) moored at Hythe Southhampton, England, 22 September 2007.
    Shipphotos.uk
    Damien Davies
    Merchant Service - MV Moreton Escape
    Contributed by Damien Davies
    LCU-1678
    Found in the stbd fo'c'sle
    LCU-1678 LCU-1678 LCU-1678 LCU-1678 LCU-1678
    LCU-1678 LCU-1678 LCU-1678 LCU-1678 LCU-1678 LCU-1678

    There is no DANFS history available for Naha (LCU-1678) at NavSource
    Back to the Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The US Army Ship Index Back To The US Army Landing Craft Utility Index
    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.
    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 12 January 2024