RSS Endurance was berthed at UMPCJetty, now known as Bedok Jetty. In those days, the east coast was just reclaimed and the surrounding area was muddy during rain. The area was isolated and trees and wild shrubs grew. To access the jetty, we had to walk along dirt road with no lighting. After disembarking the bus at marine parade, just off Nallur Road, I had to make the 10 minutes trek hauling my bag with all my personal items for the 2 months cruise.
History of RSS Endurance (LS201)
Previously known as USS Holmes County (LST836). It’s a Landing Ship Tank designed to carry troop and tanks with beaching capability and operate in shallow water. This ship was launched on 29 Oct 1944. She served in the US Navy during WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War and was decommissioned in 1971. She was transferred to Singapore Navy on 1 July 1971 at a nominal fee and renamed RSS Endurance (LS201). RSN assigned her callsign A82.
Ship Specifications
The ship has a displacement of 4000 tons. Its length was 328 feet, beam 50 feet and draft between 3 to 10 feet depending on the operation it was engaged. It had a maximum speed of 12 knots and endurance of 24.000 miles. It has two boats (LCVP). The ship has payload of 1900 tons. She had a tank deck and main deck. It has a bow door and bow ramp to facilitate movement of vehicles into the tank deck and main deck during beaching operation. It has many ballast tanks and almost flat heel to enable the ship to beach in shallow water. The ship has 2 forward and 2 aft 40mm Bofor Anti-aircraft guns as its main armament. The ship was propelled by two 900 hp diesel engines, with two shafts and twin rudders.
RSS Endurance beached at East Coast Park
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