A large number of visitors tour the USS LST 325 on Monday while docked on Chattanooga's riverfront. Visitors and crew members have been overwhelmed with the ship's popularity, experiencing long lines and extended wait times.The World War II-era USS LST 325 will be stopping in Chattanooga next week.
The LST - which stands for landing ship, tank - is an amphibious vessel designed to land battle-ready tanks, troops and supplies directly onto enemy shores. More than 1,000 such ships were built for World War II. Many more were built for the Korean and Vietnam wars for their ability to navigate inland waterways.
Launched in October 1942, the LST 325 made 43 trips between England and France between June 1944 and April 1945. Most notably, it landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
Its home port is in Evansville, Indiana. Each year, its sets sail on a cruise; after Chattanooga, it will head to Decatur, Alabama, then onward to Aurora, Indiana.
The ship is expected to arrive in Chattanooga midweek, where it will be docked at Ross's Landing until Aug. 27. Tours will be available daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-17 and free for children under 5. WWII and Korean War vets get in free, as well as active service members.
During its last trip to the Scenic City in 2014, the ship set a record for the number of visitors at one stop with 20,000.
For more information, visit lstmemorial.org.