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''Spiegel Grove'' sailed for [[Hampton Roads]] and arrived at [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk, Va.]], on [[7 July]]. She headed for the [[Guantanamo Bay Naval Base|Guantanamo Bay]] area on her shakedown cruise on [[26 July]] and returned on [[15 September]]. The ship was in the yard during October; and, in November, she participated in amphibious exercises off [[Onslow Beach, North Carolina|Onslow Beach, N.C.]]
''Spiegel Grove'' sailed for [[Hampton Roads]] and arrived at [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk, Va.]], on [[7 July]]. She headed for the [[Guantanamo Bay Naval Base|Guantanamo Bay]] area on her shakedown cruise on [[26 July]] and returned on [[15 September]]. The ship was in the yard during October; and, in November, she participated in amphibious exercises off [[Onslow Beach, North Carolina|Onslow Beach, N.C.]]


On [[9 January]] [[1957]], ''Spiegel Grove'', with other ships of [[Transport Amphibious Squadron 4]] (TransPhibRon 4), sailed from [[Morehead City, North Carolina|Morehead City, N.C.]], with elements of the [[U.S. 6th Marine Regiment|6th Marines]] embarked, for a tour with the [[U.S. 6th Fleet|6th Fleet]] in the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]]. She returned to Norfolk on [[3 June]] and operated along the east coast for the remainder of the year. In November, she transported 364 [[United States Army|Army]] troops to [[Labrador]]. In January 1958, the LSD was deployed with her squadron to the 6th Fleet on an extended tour which did not end until [[6 October]]. On [[October 22]], ''Spiegel Grove'' was assigned to [[Amphibious Squadron 10|PhibRon 10]], the new Fast Squadron. The years 1959 and 1960 saw the LSD participating in numerous operations along the east coast and in the [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]].
On [[9 January]] [[1957]], ''Spiegel Grove'', with other ships of [[Transport Amphibious Squadron 4]] (TransPhibRon 4), sailed from [[Morehead City, North Carolina|Morehead City, N.C.]], with elements of the [[6th Marine Regiment (United States)|6th Marines]] embarked, for a tour with the [[United States Sixth Fleet|6th Fleet]] in the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]]. She returned to Norfolk on [[3 June]] and operated along the east coast for the remainder of the year. In November, she transported 364 [[United States Army|Army]] troops to [[Labrador]]. In January 1958, the LSD was deployed with her squadron to the 6th Fleet on an extended tour which did not end until [[6 October]]. On [[October 22]], ''Spiegel Grove'' was assigned to [[Amphibious Squadron 10|PhibRon 10]], the new Fast Squadron. The years 1959 and 1960 saw the LSD participating in numerous operations along the east coast and in the [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]].


''Spiegel Grove'' stood out of Norfolk in April 1961 with [[Task Force 88]] (TF 88) for "[[Solant Amity II]]", a good-will tour to the [[Africa]]n coast. The force carried tons of medical supplies, food and disaster supplies, toys, books, and seed. During the four-month cruise, the ships visited [[Gambia]], [[Durban]], the [[Malagasy Republic]], the [[Seychelles|Seychelles Islands]], [[Zanzibar]], [[Kenya]], the [[Union of South Africa]], [[Togo]], and [[Gabon]] before returning home on [[8 September]]. She then entered [[Horne Brothers Shipyard]], [[Newport News, Virginia|Newport News, Va.]], for an overhaul that was not completed until early January 1962.
''Spiegel Grove'' stood out of Norfolk in April 1961 with [[Task Force 88]] (TF 88) for "[[Solant Amity II]]", a good-will tour to the [[Africa]]n coast. The force carried tons of medical supplies, food and disaster supplies, toys, books, and seed. During the four-month cruise, the ships visited [[Gambia]], [[Durban]], the [[Malagasy Republic]], the [[Seychelles|Seychelles Islands]], [[Zanzibar]], [[Kenya]], the [[Union of South Africa]], [[Togo]], and [[Gabon]] before returning home on [[8 September]]. She then entered [[Horne Brothers Shipyard]], [[Newport News, Virginia|Newport News, Va.]], for an overhaul that was not completed until early January 1962.
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''Spiegel Grove'' conducted refresher training and then spent March and April in amphibious exercises in the Caribbean. In May, she took part in operations supporting Malcolm [[Scott Carpenter]]'s manned space flight. In July and August, she returned to the Caribbean for "[[Phibulex 2-62]]". On [[1 December]] [[1962]] a tender availability period was begun to prepare the ship for "[[Solant Amity IV]]". The LSD loaded supplies during January 1963 and sailed, on [[15 February]], for her second good-will tour which lasted until late May. The ship steamed over 21,000&nbsp;miles (39,000&nbsp;km<!-- assuming nautical miles -->) and visited nine countries before returning home. ''Spiegel Grove'' next deployed to the Caribbean from July to September with [[Amphibious Squadron 8|PhibRon 8]].
''Spiegel Grove'' conducted refresher training and then spent March and April in amphibious exercises in the Caribbean. In May, she took part in operations supporting Malcolm [[Scott Carpenter]]'s manned space flight. In July and August, she returned to the Caribbean for "[[Phibulex 2-62]]". On [[1 December]] [[1962]] a tender availability period was begun to prepare the ship for "[[Solant Amity IV]]". The LSD loaded supplies during January 1963 and sailed, on [[15 February]], for her second good-will tour which lasted until late May. The ship steamed over 21,000&nbsp;miles (39,000&nbsp;km<!-- assuming nautical miles -->) and visited nine countries before returning home. ''Spiegel Grove'' next deployed to the Caribbean from July to September with [[Amphibious Squadron 8|PhibRon 8]].


The landing ship has spent the greater part of her active service participating in amphibious exercises along the eastern seaboard and in the Caribbean. ''Spiegel Grove'' was deployed to the [[US 6th Fleet|6th Fleet]] from January to June 1964, [[3 November]] [[1966]] to [[11 May]] [[1967]]; and from [[17 April]] to [[9 October]] [[1971]]. She participated in [[Operation Steel Pike I]] off [[Spain]] in October 1964 and made a [[midshipman]] cruise to [[England]] and [[Denmark]] in 1970.
The landing ship has spent the greater part of her active service participating in amphibious exercises along the eastern seaboard and in the Caribbean. ''Spiegel Grove'' was deployed to the [[United States Sixth Fleet|6th Fleet]] from January to June 1964, [[3 November]] [[1966]] to [[11 May]] [[1967]]; and from [[17 April]] to [[9 October]] [[1971]]. She participated in [[Operation Steel Pike I]] off [[Spain]] in October 1964 and made a [[midshipman]] cruise to [[England]] and [[Denmark]] in 1970.


In 1983, she won the [[Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award]] for the Atlantic Fleet.
In 1983, she won the [[Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award]] for the Atlantic Fleet.

Revision as of 14:53, 12 November 2007

USS Spiegel Grove (LSD-32) with a LCAC returning
Career USN Jack
Awarded: 18 March 1954
Laid down: 7 September 1954
Launched: 10 November 1955
Commissioned: 8 June 1956
Decommissioned: 2 October 1989
Struck: 13 December 1989
Fate: Sunk intentionally in 2002 off Key Largo to form artificial reef
General Characteristics
Displacement: 11,525 tons (full),
  8,899 tons (light)
Length: 510 ft (155 m)
Beam: 84 ft (25.6 m)
Draft: 19 ft (5.8 m)
Propulsion: 2 steam turbines, 2 shafts, 23,000 shp (17 MW)
Speed: 21 knots (39 km/h)
Complement: 304 with accommodations for 300 more combat troops
Armament: 4×2 3 in (76 mm) / 50 cal.,
6×2 20 mm AA guns
Boat capacity
(well deck): 		21 LCM 6s
Unknown number of LCACs
Aircraft: up to 8 helicopters

USS Spiegel Grove (LSD-32) was a Thomaston-class of dock landing ship of the United States Navy. She was named for Spiegel Grove, the home and estate in Fremont, Ohio, of Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th President of the United States.

Career

Spiegel Grove was laid down on 7 September 1954 by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, Miss., launched on 10 November 1955; sponsored by Mrs. Webb C. Hayes, and commissioned on 8 June 1956, Captain S. Filippone in command.

Spiegel Grove sailed for Hampton Roads and arrived at Norfolk, Va., on 7 July. She headed for the Guantanamo Bay area on her shakedown cruise on 26 July and returned on 15 September. The ship was in the yard during October; and, in November, she participated in amphibious exercises off Onslow Beach, N.C.

On 9 January 1957, Spiegel Grove, with other ships of Transport Amphibious Squadron 4 (TransPhibRon 4), sailed from Morehead City, N.C., with elements of the 6th Marines embarked, for a tour with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean. She returned to Norfolk on 3 June and operated along the east coast for the remainder of the year. In November, she transported 364 Army troops to Labrador. In January 1958, the LSD was deployed with her squadron to the 6th Fleet on an extended tour which did not end until 6 October. On October 22, Spiegel Grove was assigned to PhibRon 10, the new Fast Squadron. The years 1959 and 1960 saw the LSD participating in numerous operations along the east coast and in the Caribbean.

Spiegel Grove stood out of Norfolk in April 1961 with Task Force 88 (TF 88) for "Solant Amity II", a good-will tour to the African coast. The force carried tons of medical supplies, food and disaster supplies, toys, books, and seed. During the four-month cruise, the ships visited Gambia, Durban, the Malagasy Republic, the Seychelles Islands, Zanzibar, Kenya, the Union of South Africa, Togo, and Gabon before returning home on 8 September. She then entered Horne Brothers Shipyard, Newport News, Va., for an overhaul that was not completed until early January 1962.

Spiegel Grove conducted refresher training and then spent March and April in amphibious exercises in the Caribbean. In May, she took part in operations supporting Malcolm Scott Carpenter's manned space flight. In July and August, she returned to the Caribbean for "Phibulex 2-62". On 1 December 1962 a tender availability period was begun to prepare the ship for "Solant Amity IV". The LSD loaded supplies during January 1963 and sailed, on 15 February, for her second good-will tour which lasted until late May. The ship steamed over 21,000 miles (39,000 km) and visited nine countries before returning home. Spiegel Grove next deployed to the Caribbean from July to September with PhibRon 8.

The landing ship has spent the greater part of her active service participating in amphibious exercises along the eastern seaboard and in the Caribbean. Spiegel Grove was deployed to the 6th Fleet from January to June 1964, 3 November 1966 to 11 May 1967; and from 17 April to 9 October 1971. She participated in Operation Steel Pike I off Spain in October 1964 and made a midshipman cruise to England and Denmark in 1970.

In 1983, she won the Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award for the Atlantic Fleet.

Post Commission Career

Spiegel Grove was decommissioned 2 October 1989 and her name struck from the Navy list 13 December 1989. The vessel was transferred to the Maritime Administration in the James River fleet.

In 1998, title passed to the state of Florida, with the plan of sinking the hull to make an artificial reef off Key Largo. But to achieve this, EPA had to accept to increase the amount of PCB (a toxic chemical substance) remaining in future wrecks from 2 ppm to 50 ppm...

Sinking For Reef

Red tape and financial problems delayed the sinking of USS Spiegel Grove for several years, but the ship was finally moved from Virginia to Florida in May, 2002 ... whereupon the ship sank prematurely, on 17 May 2002. During the sinking the ex-Spiegel Grove suddenly started rolling on her starboard side, ending up upside down on the sea bottom and leaving her bow protruding slightly out of the ocean.

On June 10–11 June the ship was rolled onto her starboard side, and on 26 June the site was opened to recreational divers. In the next week, over a thousand divers visited the site. The depth of wreck requires that divers have an advanced diving license.[1]

The ex-Spiegel Grove is located on Dixie Shoal, 6 miles (10 km) off the Florida Keys in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Her exact location is 25°04′00.2″N 80°18′00.7″W / 25.066722°N 80.300194°W / 25.066722; -80.300194.

In July of 2005, Hurricane Dennis forced the former USS Spiegel Grove onto her keel, right-side-up, which was the position originally intended when she was sunk.

Deaths

On March 16, 2007, three divers (Kevin Coughlin, 51; Jonathan Walsweer, 38; and Scott Stanley, 55 - all from New Jersey) died while attempting a penetration dive inside the remains of the USS Spiegel Grove.[1] This brings the total number of diver fatalities at the wreck to six.

Reference

Public Domain This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

  1. ^ "Diving The Spiegel Grove: A Little Piece of Heaven Underwater". Cafe Baby Boomers. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
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