A Dock landing ship or Landing ship (Dock) (hull classification LSD) is a form of auxiliary warship designed to support amphibious operations. These amphibious assault ships transport and launch amphibious craft and vehicles with their crews and embarked personnel. In the United States Navy, two classes are in service, the Whidbey Island and Harpers Ferry classes, mainly used to carry Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCACs), as well as carrying marines. The Royal Navy also operates four ships of the Bay class.

History

The LSD came as a result of a British requirement during the Second World War for a vessel that could carry large landing craft across the seas at speed.

Vessels of this classification

United States Navy current

Currently there are two classes of LSDs in the United States Navy:
Whidbey Island class:

• USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41); Little Creek, Virginia

• USS Germantown (LSD-42); San Diego, California

• USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43); Little Creek, Va.

• USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44); Little Creek, Va.

• USS Comstock (LSD-45); San Diego, Calif.

• USS Tortuga (LSD-46); Sasebo, Japan

• USS Rushmore (LSD-47); San Diego, Calif.

• USS Ashland (LSD-48); Little Creek, Va.

Harper's Ferry class:

• USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49); Sasebo, Japan.

• USS Carter Hall (LSD-50); Little Creek, Va.

• USS Oak Hill (LSD-51); Little Creek, Va.

• USS Pearl Harbor (LSD-52); San Diego, Calif.

USN former

• Ashland class: (LSD-1) through (LSD-8)
  

LSD-9 through LSD-12 are Cassa Grande class ships built for the British

• Casa Grande class: (LSD-13) through (LSD-27)

• Thomaston class: (LSD-28) through (LSD-35)

• Anchorage class: (LSD-36) through (LSD-40)

Royal Fleet Auxiliary

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary of the United Kingdom operates four naval auxiliaries vessels rated as Dock Landing Ships.
Bay class

• Largs Bay (L3006)

• Lyme Bay (L3007)

• Mounts Bay (L3008)

• Cardigan Bay (L3009)

See also

• Amphibious transport dock

• List of amphibious warfare ships