Ashland-class dock landing ship
The Ashland-class dock landing ship were the first class of dock landing ship of the United States Navy. They were built during World War II. A dock landing ship is a form of auxiliary warship designed to support amphibious operations. Eight ships were built for the United States Navy and they remained in US service until the 1960s. Two of the class were sold for export overseas, with one joining the Republic of China Navy and the other the Argentinian Navy. The two transferred ships stayed in service until the 1980s. All eight ships were scrapped.
USS Ashland underway off Cape Henry, Virginia, 20 May 1953
USS Oak Hill (LSD-7) underway off San Francisco in April 1944
USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5) underway, soon after recommissioning in March 1949
LSM-175 about to enter the well of USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) in San Diego Bay, Spring 1951
A dock landing ship is an amphibious warfare ship with a well dock to transport and launch landing craft and amphibious vehicles. Some ships with well decks, such as the Soviet Ivan Rogov class, also have bow doors to enable them to deliver vehicles directly onto a beach. Modern dock landing ships also operate helicopters.
USS Harpers Ferry, a United States Navy dock landing ship
Soviet Ivan Rogov-class landing ship
Amphibious vehicles inside a US LSD
A British Bay-class landing ship