Tanks loaded

Creator

Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co. (Manitowoc, Wis.)

Date

• June 18, 1942

Summary

• This 8" x 10" photograph is one of a series of pictures taken June 18, 1942 that document practice landings of LCT(5) invasion barges on the Lake Michigan shore at Point Beach State Forest north of Two Rivers, Wisconsin during World War II. LCT stands for "Landing Craft Tank." In 1942 under an urgent "Triple-A-Priority" Navy program the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company constructed 36 LCT(5) invasion barges to ferry tanks and other heavy equipment ashore for a planned invasion of North Africa and other operations. Practice landings were made on beaches in the Manitowoc-Two Rivers area to test equipment and techniques. LCT(5)s were about 114 feet in length, and had a bow ramp. The first LCT(5) was laid down at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company on May 4, 1942; launched on June 10, 1942; and delivered to the Navy on June 29, 1942 for service in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. The LCT(5) shown in this series of photos is probably that first barge, on practice exercises between launch and delivery. In this photograph, the vessel is still moored at the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, loaded with six tanks. Two of the 28 submarines that Manitowoc Shipbuilding company built during the war are under construction in the background, and the tug "Manshipco" can be seen working on the river in the distance.