Stranded WWII ship freed from W. Kentucky lake
October 4, 2012 3:24PM
The LST 325 cargo ship sits idle on Lake Barkley near Kuttawa, Ky., Tuesday, October 2, 2012, after the World War II ship ran aground after navigating out of the channel Monday while traveling up the Cumberland River to the vessel's home port in Evansville, Ind. (AP Photo/Stephen Lance Dennee)
Updated: October 4, 2012 11:23PM
EVANSVILLE (AP) — A restored World War II troop landing ship ran aground in a western Kentucky lake but was not damaged and is returning to its Indiana home port, the ship’s captain said.
The LST-325 was freed from mud in Lake Barkley Wednesday evening using a tugboat, the ship’s anchor winch and its engines in full reverse, Capt. Bob Jornlin told the Evansville Courier & Press.
The ship became stuck with 42 crew members aboard during a rainstorm Monday when officials say it traveled outside the lake’s Cumberland River channel. It was returning to its Evansville dock on the Ohio River after a trip to Tennessee for stops at Nashville and Clarksville.
Jornlin said the ship, which was part of the 1944 D-Day landings in France, was built to be run aground as it carried troops, tanks and other equipment.
“It’s a tough old bird,” Jornlin said.
Lt. Dan McQuate of the Coast Guard office at Paducah, Ky., said the ship was cleared to go after an inspection for any damage.
Jornlin said he expected the ship to arrive Thursday night at Evansville, where it has been based since 2005.
The LST-325 was brought back to the U.S. from Greece in 2001 to be restored. It is open for public tours when docked in Evansville and often travels to other cities.
