World War II vessel USS LST 325 sets visitor record in Chattanooga

photo A helicopter pad, not original for WWII but used during the Korean Conflict, is located on the upper deck of the USS LST-325. The USS LST-325 was open to the public in Chattanooga Sept. 12-17 and had record crowds.

NUMBER OF VISITORSFriday: 2,176Saturday: 4,501Sunday: 4,096Monday: 3,468Tuesday: 3,885Wednesday: 3,959Total: 22,085Source: Friends of the Festival

The USS LST 325 planned to pull up anchor and depart from Chattanooga at 8 a.m. today.

The slate-gray, World War II-era ship is returning home to Evansville, Ind., after hosting a record number of visitors during its time moored at Ross's Landing in downtown Chattanooga.

"Chattanooga has been our greatest stop by far," said Capt. Robert Jornlin, who has traveled with the LST for 14 years, docking in nearly 50 cities.

More than 22,000 people toured the LST during the six days it was open for visitors here, Jornlin said. That's more people than the entire population of East Ridge, Tenn.

The surge of visitors created a long line along the riverfront, with some people waiting well over an hour to step aboard.

The long lines say a lot about Chattanooga and the city's dedication to history, said Mickey McCamish, a retired Navy officer and a staff member with Friends of the Festival, the nonprofit organization that sponsored the LST's trip here.

Friends of the Festival officials hoped to have 20,000 visitors, and were pleasantly surprised by the constant flood of people who waited in line to see the ship, according to McCamish.

"The whole community has loved having the LST here," he said. "People are eager to touch a piece of history."

So many people came to see the ship on Wednesday that not everyone waiting in line was able to tour it before closing time. But there are no plans for a return visit anytime soon, crew members said.

Until Chattanooga, Pittsburgh held the visitor record for the vessel, with about 17,000 recorded, according to Jornlin.

"It's crowds like these that encourage us to keep doing this," he said.

Mayor Andy Berke acknowledged the LST and its crew of volunteers by awarding Jornlin a key to the city on Tuesday.

"It was a real honor to receive the key and be a part of the ship's history," Jornlin said.

Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or at 4230757-6592.

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