LCT 7074: SAVING THE LAST D-DAY TANK LANDING CRAFT

摘要

LCT 7074 is the last Second World War Landing Craft (Tank) in the United Kingdom, and one of only two left in the world. More than 800 LCTs took part in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, each capable of carrying ten tanks or other heavy armoured vehicles into battle. As far as can be established, 7074 is the last of these vital workhorses known to have actually participated in D-Day. After a chequered postwar career involving conversion into a floating clubhouse and nightclub, and then an ill-fated attempt to conserve her by the now-defunct Warships Preservation Trust, the ship lies in private hands, semi-derelict and sunk at her moorings at East Float Dock, Birkenhead. The threat to her continued existence could not be clearer: this is the very last chance to save this priceless example of our Second World War and naval heritage. This project is to transfer ownership of the vessel to the National Museum of the Royal Navy, refloat her, arrest her deterioration, and to prepare her and make her safe for sea transport to Portsmouth. In a place of safety in Portsmouth, she will be stored while an HLF submission is prepared to conserve, restore and interpret her prior to display ashore. In D-Day’s 70th anniversary year, the NMRN has successfully sought a grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund to meet the costs of saving LCT 7074 for the Nation, and intends tornbring the ship to Portsmouth by the end of the year.