World War II Navy Ship Runs Aground in Western Kentucky

A U.S. Navy ship, the USS LST 325, ran aground earlier this week during a trip from Nashville, Tennessee back to its home base in Indiana. All 42 crewmembers remain onboard.

Commissioned back in World War II, the vessel is currently decommissioned and mainly used for public tours. The U.S. Coast Guard told local news reporters that this is the first time a navy ship had a problem in western Kentucky, as it is uncommon for these types of ships to operate in the area.

LST-325 (left) and USS LST-388 unloading while stranded at low tide during the invasion of Normandy in June 1944.

The USCG was also unable to comment on how the LST 325 managed to get off course at this point, but the ship is still sitting outside the main channel in the Cumberland River. Coast Guard officials are waiting on a salvage plan to move the navy ship, which could take a few days.

As locals begin to gather to catch a glimpse at the uncommon sight, the Coast Guard is also focusing their attention on leaking fuel. Lt. There is a small sheen coming from the ship. Luckily, no damage to the USS LST 325 has been reported.

On June 6, 1944, LST-325 was part of the largest armada in history by participating in the Normandy Landings at Omaha Beach. She carried 59 vehicles, 31 officers and a total of 408 enlisted men on that first trip. On her first trip back to England from France, LST-325 hauled 38 casualties back to a friendly port. Over the next nine months, Navy records show LST-325 made more than 40 trips back and forth across the English Channel, carrying thousands of men and pieces of equipment needed by troops to successfully complete the liberation of Europe.

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