RFA Empire Gull - Landing Ship (Tank)

Landing Ship Tanks were a new design of warship mass produced during the Second World War. The bow ramp allowed troops, tanks, machinery, artillery and even locomotives to be transported and offloaded at a beech in a relatively short space of time. The ships were flat bottomed with a shallow draught, allowing them to come inshore.

Launched at the end of the war as LST 3523 she was renamed HMS Trouncer in 1947. Later named Empire Gull.

The army's last landing ship tank, Empire Gull, was transferred to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 1970 along with the five Sir Lancelot Class landing ship (logistics). Although tasked by the army she was managed by DGST(N).

Empire Gull displaced 457.9 tons and measured 347ft in length, 54.1ft in breadth and 12ft in draught. She had a complement of 63 officers and men and troop accommodation for 8 officers and 72 ORS.

Ship	Pennant No.	Builder	Laid Down	Launched	Commissioned
Empire Gull	LST3513	Davie Shipbuilding		July 9th 1945

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