Hull number LPD-4 - Potestas Maritimas per Mobilitate, "Seapower through Mobility" Austin Class Amphibious Transport Dock:
Laid down, 4 February 1963, at New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Launched, 26 June 1964
Commissioned USS Austin (LPD-4), 6 February 1965, CAPT. William H. Shaw in command
Austin was the lead ship of her class and varies from the rest in that she has no hanger. The Austin class LPDs are based on the design of the earlier Raleigh class LPDs
While in commission USS Austin was assigned to COMPHIBGRU2, COMNAVSURFLANT, homeported at NAB Little Creek, VA.
Decommissioning date, 1000, 27 September 2006, at Pier 1 Naval Station Norfolk, VA.
Struck from the Naval Register, 27 September 2006
Final Disposition, scrapping contract awarded, 22 May 2009, to International Shipbreaking, Ltd, Brownsville TX.
Specifications: Displacement 9,734 t.(lt), 17,326 t.(fl) Length 570' Beam 84' Draft 23 ft. Speed 21 kts. Complement
24 Officers
396 Enlisted Troop Accommodations 900 Flag Staff Accommodations 90 Boats Assault Craft, (well deck capacity) 1 LCU, or 2 LCM-8 or 4 LCM-6, (ships boats) 2 LCPL, 1 motor whaleboat Armament
two 25mm MK38 chain guns
two Phalanx CIWS
eight 50 cal. machine guns. Aircraft up to six CH-46/CH-53 or four UH-1/AH-1, or two AV-8B Harriers Propulsion
two Foster-Wheeler boilers
two DeLaval steam turbines
two propellers, 24,000 Shaft Horsepower
