HTMS Chang LST-2, (USN LST-898)

HTMS Chang photo

HTMS Chang photo – Courtesy www.navsource.org

htms_chang_Gun Emplace

HTMS Chang Gun Emplacement

htms_chang_Life Rafts

HTMS Chang Life boat launching system

HTMS Chang lower decks access

HTMS Chang lower decks access

HTMS Chang external deck access steps

HTMS Chang external deck access steps

HTMS Chang Typical dive profile

HTMS Chang Typical dive profile

HTMS Chang GPS Location

HTMS Chang GPS Location

HTMS Chang Shoals of juvenile barracuda

HTMS Chang Shoals of juvenile barracuda

HTMS Chang fighting bridge

HTMS Chang fighting bridge

HTMS Chang bridge corridor

HTMS Chang bridge corridor

HTMS Chang Crows nest access ladder

HTMS Chang Crows nest access ladder

HTMS Chang deck above the thermocline

HTMS Chang deck above the thermocline

http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160898.htm Main Online archive for this vessel

Vessel Name: HTMS Chang
Vessel Nationality: Thai
Type of Vessel: Landing Ship Tank (LST)
Depth to Wreck in Meters: 3
Depth to Seabed in Meters: 32
Location eg Gulf of Siam: Koh Chang, Trat, Thailand
WGS Co-ordinates North: 11°53’41.48″N
WGS Co-ordinates East: 102°15’26.94″E
Length (m): 117
Width (m): 15
Tonnage: 1651
Number of Props: 2
How the Vessel Sunk?: On November 22, 2012, HTMS Chang was scuttled to make an artificial reef for scuba diving. It is one of Thailand’s biggest wrecks with her bottom sitting on the sand at 32m and the crow’s nest just 3m below the surface; it is accessible to all levels of divers, with 3 main decks and 7 sub decks decks from Bridge to bottom with troop cabins, briefing rooms, captain’s cabin, corridors, engine room and hold to explore.
Vessel Activity Priot to Sinking: Retired
Other Information: The HTMS Chang, formally USS Lincoln County (LST-898), was an LST-542-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after counties in 23 U.S. states, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

Originally laid down as LST-898 by the Dravo Corporation of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 15 October 1944.

She had a rich service history, in World War II she saw action in Okinawa invasion. Later she saw action the invasion of Inchon in the Korean War.

In 1962 she was turned over to the government of for service in the Royal Thai Navy as Chang (LST-2). This ship’s hull number was changed to 712 HTMS Chang, and was still active in the Royal Thai Navy as of 2006.

Bottom Topology: Sand
Dive Team Names and e-mail Addresses: Daniel Burns
Mat Payne – Khunmat@gmail.com
Your Email: khunmat@gmail.com
Dive Shop Email: deepzonedivers@gmail.com
Your Web Site URL: http://pattayatechnicalandcavedivers.com