USS Spiegel Grove

USS Spiegel Grove

The USS Spiegel Grove (LSD-32) was a Thomaston-class dock landing ship of the United States Navy. Named after the Spiegel Grove State Park in Ohio, the ship was commissioned in 1956 and served until 1989. After decommissioning, the ship was intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef off the coast of Key Largo, Florida.

Design and Construction

The USS Spiegel Grove was laid down on 7 September 1954 by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She was launched on 10 November 1955 and commissioned on 8 June 1956. The ship was designed to transport and launch landing craft and amphibious vehicles with their crews and embarked personnel in amphibious assault operations.

Service History

Early Service

After commissioning, the USS Spiegel Grove conducted shakedown training and participated in various exercises along the East Coast of the United States. She was involved in numerous amphibious warfare exercises and operations, including deployments to the Mediterranean Sea as part of the United States Sixth Fleet.

Later Service

Throughout her service, the Spiegel Grove participated in several notable operations, including the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, where she played a role in the naval blockade of Cuba. She also supported operations during the Vietnam War, providing logistical support and transportation for troops and equipment.

Decommissioning

The USS Spiegel Grove was decommissioned on 2 October 1989 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 13 December 1989. After decommissioning, she was laid up in the James River Reserve Fleet in Virginia.

Artificial Reef

In 2002, the USS Spiegel Grove was prepared for sinking as an artificial reef. The ship was towed to a site off the coast of Key Largo, Florida. On 17 May 2002, the ship sank prematurely and ended up on her side. Efforts were made to right the ship, and in June 2005, she was successfully rolled upright by a team of divers and engineers.

The Spiegel Grove now serves as a popular scuba diving site, attracting divers from around the world. The ship lies at a depth of approximately 130 feet, with the top of the wreck at about 60 feet below the surface. The site is home to a variety of marine life, including coral, sponges, and numerous species of fish.

Related Pages

• Thomaston-class dock landing ship
• Amphibious warfare
• Artificial reef
• Scuba diving in the United States

References

• "USS Spiegel Grove (LSD-32)." Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved from [1].
• "Spiegel Grove Artificial Reef." Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Retrieved from [2].

Gallery

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  USS Spiegel Grove underway
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  USS Spiegel Grove in 1965
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  Diver near an old gun mount
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  Diver exploring the wreck
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  Large reel on deck
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  Marine life on the wreck
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  US flag with diver
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  Flag on the Spiegel Grove