Landing Craft, Mechanized Model 6, 'LCM-6'
After the First World War and the British seaborne invasion failure at Gallipoli, both the United States and the United Kingdom began working on a class of vessels designed to be troop carriers launched just off shore from transports. These ships were to beach themselves, discharge their soldiers and vehicles, and head back for another load from their mother ship. Over time, this style of boat became designated as 'Landing Craft, Mechanized.'
The LCM-3, built by Higgins, was the most widely used LCM in WWII. The design was sound for its time, but improvements were always being sought to increase efficiency. In the later stages of the Second World War when engineers had more time to examine the LCM-3's flaws and strengths, a new boat began to emerge as the LCM-6.
The LCM-6 took the Higgins style and extended the hull six feet in length amidships. This increased carrying capacity without hampering performance, upped the number of soldiers carried from sixty to eighty, and allowed for four tons additional cargo weight to be loaded, resulting in a total hauling capacity of 68,000 pounds. performing admirably when used, the LCM-6 gradually overtook the Higgins as the favored landing craft type.
By Vietnam, the 'Mike Boat,' as it was now called, was starting to show its age, and a newer Mike Boat, the LCM-8 was already
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Erected by US Army Transportation Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Vietnam • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1967.
Location. 37° 9.884′ N, 76° 34.566′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Fort Eustis. Marker can be reached from Washington Boulevard, 0.1 miles north of Jefferson Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 321 Washington Blvd, Fort Eustis VA 23604, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lighter, Amphibious Resupply, Cargo, 'LARC XV' (a few steps from this marker); Vertical Axis Propeller - Beach Discharge Lighter 'BDL' 1x (a few steps from this marker); Model 234B Picket Boat, 'J-Boat' (a few steps from this marker); Bow Tug Boat, Small (a few steps from this marker); Barge, Amphibious Resupply, Cargo, 'BARC' 3-X (within shouting distance of this marker); Marine Diesel Engine DMG 6, Training Aid (within shouting distance of this
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 754 times since then and 119 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
