FORMER US NAVY VESSEL USS LSM-469
Depth: 13 - 33 Meters
Bottom Composition: Sand
Marine Life: Sweetlips, barracuda, trevally, bat-fish and blue-spotted sting-rays
Description: The Thai Navy sank this ship especially for people like us that just love shipwreck diving and for a safe
haven for the many species and varietys of marine life that we enjoy here in Pattaya City Thailand. It was sunk 300 meters off the
island of Kho Phai in about 30 meters of sea water in Febuary 2003.
Old Photos
The United States gave this ship (Former USS LSM-469) renamed HMS KHRAM to the Thai navy on the 25 May 1962. The ship,
dilapidated beyond repair, had been in use for more than 60 years.
During the sinking
the decommissioning of H.T.M.S KHRAM was a navy project to mark His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn's 50th
birthday
Photo taken in Japan
Holes have been cut into the deck of the wreck and wonderful swimthrough's are safe and possible with the right training.
The Crows nest makes for a great circle up at the end of the dive. The top of the crows nest lies in about 13 meters of sea
water surrounded by thriving sea life.
Bye-Bye
LSM-1 Class Landing Ship Medium:
- Laid down (date unknown) at Brown Shipbuilding Co., Houston, TX.
- Launched (date unknown)
- Commissioned USS LSM-469, 17 March 1945 , LT. Lee S. Barton, USNR in command
- During and after World War II LSM-469 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater
- Decommissioned, 29 August 1946, at Astoria, OR.
- Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, Columbia River Group, Astoria
- Struck from the Naval Register (date unknown)
- Transferred, 25 May 1962, to Thailand, named HTMS Khramto (L-732)
- Decommissioned (date unknown)
- Final Disposition, sunk as an artificial reef, 1 February 2003, at Pattaya, Thailand
Photo just before being sank
Specifications:
- Displacement 520 t.(light), 743 t.(landing) 1,095 t.(fully loaded)
- Length 203' 6"
- Beam 34' 6"
- Draft light, 3' 6" forward, 7' 8" aft, fully loaded, 6' 4" forward, 8' 3" aft
- Speed 13.2kts, (max.), (928 tons displacement)
- Complement 5 officers, 54 enlisted
- Armament one single bow mounted 40mm gun, four single 20mm gun mounts
- Vehicle/Boat Capacity 5 medium or 3 heavy tanks, or 6 LVT's, or 9 DUKW's
- Troop Accommodations 2 officers, 46 enlisted
- Armor 10-lb. STS splinter shield to gun mounts, pilot house and conning station
- Propulsion two Fairbanks Morse (model 38D81/8X10, reversible with hydraulic clutch) diesels. Direct drive with 1,440 BHP
each @ 720rpm, twin screws
- Endurance 4,900 miles @ 12kts.(928 tons displacement)
