Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT4)

History | Database | Links | Print

The 15th Northern Rivers Lancers Regiment was undertaking training manouvres at Stockton on 8 March 1954. The flotilla headed out to sea from Wave Trap Beach near Camp Shortland to the Mungo Brush area to the north, near Port Stephens. Rising bad weather and high seas lead to the sinking of five LVT(a)4s, one LVT4, and two DUKWs, with three lives lost. One of the LVT4s has been located underwater in 30 metres, and is the focus of limited recreational diving visitation. This was a significant peacetime loss of life and equipment.

The LVTs, short for Landing Vehicle Tracked Mk IV, were amphibious assault vehicles built during 1943-5, and first used in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. They were nicknamed the "Water Buffalo".

Database

Site information

Site ID:

1155

Type:

Amphibious craft

Construction:

Steel

Primary industry:

Defence

Sub-industry:

army

Gross tonnage:

18.1

Net tonnage:

Length (mtrs):

7.95

Beam (mtrs):

3.25

Draft (mtrs):

3.1

Cargo:

Ammunition

Engine:

Continental W-670-9A 7 cylinder 4 cycle radial gasoline 250hp

Country built:

UNITED STATES

State built:

Port built:

builder:

Port registered:

When built:

1944

Registration number:

Official number:

Sources:

www.lancers.org.au

Comments:

The 15th Northern Rivers Lancers Regiment was undertaking training manouvres at Stockton. Bad weather lead to the sinking of five LVT(a)4s, one LVT4, and two DUKWs with three lives lost.

Lost event

When lost:

1954/03/08

Where lost:

Newcastle Bight, Stockton Beach

Wrecked/Refloated:

Foundered

Sinking:

Training exercise

From port:

Camp Shortland, Stockton

To port:

Morna Point/ Broughton Island

Master:

Owner:

Australian Army - 15th Northern River Lancers

Crew:

Passengers:

Crew deaths:

Passenger deaths:

Total deaths:

Location

Maximum latitude:

-32.87144431

Minimum latitude:

Maximum longitude:

151.9161161

Minimum longitude:

Datum used:

GDA94

Datum	Latitude	Longitude	Zone	Easting	Northing
AGD66	-32.87144922632040	151.91611610000000	56	398598.63313503700000	6362430.83943087000000
AGD84	-32.87144922632040	151.91611610000000	56	398598.63313503700000	6362430.83943087000000
GDA94	-32.87144434167660	151.91611610000000	56	398598.99565538400000	6362443.99657335000000
WGS84	-32.87144434081610	151.91611610000000	56	398598.99565489400000	6362443.99656720000000

Management

Found:

Yes

Inspected:

Protected:

NSW Heritage Act 1977

Jurisdiction:

State

Protection notes:

Signage:

Web address:

Links

Unidentified LVT

There are currently no links associated with this site.