Search the Site with 
GeneralGeneral Characteristics Crew List Memorabilia Cruise Books Accidents aboard the Ship Image Gallery to end of page

USS El Paso (LKA 117)

- decommissioned -


USS EL PASO was the fifth and final CHARLESTON - class amphibious cargo ship. In the early 1980s, the EL PASO was transfered to the Naval Reserve Force, but returned to the active fleet shortly afterwards because of the need for additional sealift capacity. Decommissioned on April 21, 1994, the EL PASO was transfered to the Military Sealift Command in 1995 and moved to Bethlehem Steel, Sparrows Point, MD., for the Military Sealift Command conversion. However, this conversion was cancelled and the EL PASO was placed out of service on October 23, 1996. EL PASO was subsequently laid up at the Naval Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility at Philadelphia, Penn. Stricken from the Navy list on August 15, 2015, the ship was later sold for scrapping and arrived under tow at Brownsville, Tx., on October 17, 2023. There, she was scrapped by All Star Metals.

General Characteristics:Awarded: August 22, 1966
Keel laid: October 22, 1968
Launched: May 17, 1969
Commissioned: January 17, 1970
Decommissioned: April 21, 1994
Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va.
Propulsion system: two boilers, one geared turbine, one propeller shaft, 22,000 shaft horsepower
Propellers: one
Length: 575.5 feet (175.4 meters)
Beam: 82 feet (25 meters)
Draft: 25.6 feet (7.8 meters)
Displacement: approx. 18,700 tons full load
Speed: 20+ knots
Aircraft: helicopter platform only
Boats: 4 LCM-8, 4 LCM-6, 2 LCVP and 2 LCP
Armament: two 20mm Phalanx CIWS
Crew: Ship: 22 officers and 334 enlisted     USMC: 15 officers and 211 enlisted


Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page



Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page

Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS EL PASO. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.


back to top  go to the end of the page



Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page

USS EL PASO Cruise Books:


Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page

Accidents aboard USS EL PASO:

DateWhereEvents
June 6, 1977Norfolk, Va.
USS EL PASO parts its moorings and suffers minor damage during high winds in the Norfolk, Va., area.
October 11, 198980 miles southeast
of Norfolk, Va.
The USS EL PASO accidentally hits the USS IWO JIMA (LPH 2) with rounds from its Phalanx CIWS during gunnery practice. One sailor aboard IWO JIMA is killed and another is injured. Damage is slight.


Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page



The photo below was taken by Thomas Zera and shows the EL PASO at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., in July 1986.



The photos below were taken by me on November 7, 2008, and show the EL PASO laid up at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Note the Military Sealift Command markings.



The photos below were taken by me on October 26, 2010, and show the EL PASO still laid up at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the EL PASO laid up at the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on October 7, 2018.



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the EL PASO laid up at the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on May 27, 2022.



Back to topback to top


Back to Attack / Amphibious Cargo Ships Site. Back to ships list. Back to selection page. Back to 1st page.