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USS Bristol County (LST 1198)

- decommissioned -

USS BRISTOL COUNTY was the 20th and last ship in the NEWPORT - class of Tank Landing Ships. Her last homeport was San Diego, Ca.

Decommissioned and stricken from the Navy list on July 29, 1994, BRISTOL COUNTY was sold to Morocco where the ship was renamed SIDI MOHAMMED BEN ABDALLAH.

General Characteristics:Awarded: July 15, 1966
Keel laid: February 13, 1971
Launched: December 4, 1971
Commissioned: August 5, 1972
Decommissioned: July 29, 1994
Builder: National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, Calif.
Propulsion system: 6 diesels; 16,000 horsepower; bow thruster
Propellers: two and one bow thruster screw
Length: 522 feet (159 meters)
Length over derrick arms: 561 feet (171 meters)
Beam: 70 feet (21.2 meters)
Draft: 17,4 feet (5.3 meters)
Displacement: approx. 8500 tons
Speed: 20 knots
Aircraft: helicopter platform only
Armament: one 20mm Phalanx CIWS, 4 3-inch/.50-caliber guns
Crew: 14 officers, 210 enlisted and approx. 350 embarked troops


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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS BRISTOL COUNTY. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.


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USS BRISTOL COUNTY Cruise Books and Pamphlets:


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USS BRISTOL COUNTY's Commanding Officers:


PeriodName
August 1972 - July 1973Commander D. L. Waggoner, USN
July 1973 - April 1975Commander J. A. O'Connel, USN
April 1975 - July 1977Commander P. R. Given, USN
Juy 1977 - April 1979Commander R. B. McMannis, USN
April 1979 - April 1981Commander C. D. Brown, USN
April 1981 - June 1983Commander C. A. Weegar, USN
June 1983 - June 1986Commander T. A. Fitzgibbons, USN
June 1986 - September 1988Commander D. L. Brewer, USN
September 1988 - September 1990Commander M. W. Treeman, USN
September 1990 - September 1992Commander R. L. Alsbrooks, USN
September 1992 - July 1994Commander R. C. Massey, USN


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Ship's History:


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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

In April 1972 the Prospective Commanding Officer, Commander D. L. Waggoner, traveled to Bristol County, Rhode Island to establish close relations between the ship and the citizens of its namesake county. He spoke to several groups, including the State Senate, Rotary Club, and various town councils. Commander Waggoner told these groups about "their ship" while, at the same time, learning about the heritage of the county and its old seafaring towns of Bristol (1680), Warren (1747), and Barrington (1770). During his stay in Bristol County he arranged for a local artisan and highly respected plaque designer, Mr. Thomas Goff, to assist in designing the ship's coat-of-arms or plaque. The county newspapers also got in the act by running a contest for the best slogan or motto.

The coat-of-arms of USS BRISTOL COUNTY reflects the background and spirit of the area for which she is named. Basic to the coat-of arms is the anchor, and symbolic on the coat-of-arms are the state seal and flag of the State of Rhode Island, long symbols of strength and hope for mariners.

The Square-Rigger and Tank Landing Ship on the ocean are symbolic of the old sailing vessels that moored in the Port of Bristol, Rhode Island, and the new and versatile LSTs. Also shown are the coats-of-arms of the towns of Bristol, Warren, and Barrington, the three towns comprising Bristol County, and the dates these historical old seafaring towns were incorporated.

The motto, SHIPSHAPE'N BRISTOL FASHION, with its origin in the town of Bristol, England in the 18th century, is a saying that noted the excellence of the ships that sailed from that port. It is a well known complimentary expression still in use today.

The composite design symbolizes the historic relationship between USS BRISTOL COUNTY, Bristol County, Rhode Island, and the sea.


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