HM LST-9

HM LST-9 was an of the United States Navy built during World War II. She was transferred to the Royal Navy in March 1943, before being commissioned into the USN. Like many of her class, she was not named and is properly referred to by her hull designation.

Construction
LST-9 was laid down on 9 August 1942, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by the Dravo Corporation; launched on 14 November 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Katherine Moxin; transferred to the Royal Navy on 19 March 1943, and commissioned the following day.

Service History
LST-9 sailed from Hampton Roads, Virginia for the Mediterranean on 14 May 1943, with convoy UGS 8A, arriving in Oran, Algeria, sometime before 8 June 1943.

She participated in the invasion of Sicily, the landings at Reggio, the invasion of Vibo Valentia, and the Anzio landings in the Mediterranean Theatre, and the Normandy landings in the European Theatre.

She made 57 ferry trips across the Strait of Messina. LST-9 was refit at Leith, Scotland, from 11 April to 3 June 1944, setting out from Leith in time for the D-Day landings. On 25 January 1945, she collided with a jetty at the Port of Tilbury. In April 1945, she was at Antwerp, Belgium, for minor defect repairs before being refitted at Antwerp from May to June 1945.

LST-9 also participated in the landings in Malaya, Operation Zipper. She was decommissioned on 4 May 1946, at Subic Bay.

Final disposition
LST-9 was returned to the US Navy on 1 June 1946, struck the Navy list on 3 July 1946. On 5 September 1948, she was sold to Bosey, Philippines.