USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41)
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| History | |
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| Namesake: | Whidbey Island |
| Ordered: | 9 February 1981 |
| Laid down: | 4 August 1981 |
| Launched: | 10 June 1983 |
| Acquired: | 8 January 1985 |
| Commissioned: | 9 February 1985 |
| Homeport: | NAB Little Creek, Virginia |
| Motto: | Intrepid Vanguard |
| Status: | in active service |
| Badge: |  |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: |
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| Length: | 610 ft (190 m) |
| Beam: | 84 ft (26 m) |
| Draft: | 21 ft (6.4 m) |
| Propulsion: | 4 Colt Industries, 16-cylinder diesel engines, 2 shafts, 33,000 shp (25 MW) |
| Speed: | 20+ knots (37+ km/h) |
| Boats & landing craft carried: |
4 LCACs or 21 LCM-6s |
| Complement: |
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| Armament: |
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USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41) is a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship of the United States Navy. She was named for Whidbey Island, in Puget Sound, Washington, the location of NAS Whidbey Island; the name ultimately derives from the sailor, explorer and engineer Joseph Whidbey.
Whidbey Island was laid down on 4 August 1981, by the Lockheed Shipbuilding, Seattle, Wa.; launched on 10 June 1983, sponsored by Mrs. Sally Gorton, wife of Senator Slade Gorton; and commissioned on 9 February 1985, Commander P.M. Muldoon in command.
The dark blue and white colors refer to the sea, with the angular green area, representing the evergreen terrain of Whidbey Island, backed by blue sky. The color gold is symbolic of excellence, and the ship's wheel of gold reflects the seagoing pride and professionalism of the ship's crew. The green Maltese Cross refers to the humanitarian mission of the USS Whidbey (AG 141), the first ship to carry the name Whidbey. The gold crown emblazoned on red at the center of the wheel recalls the expedition under the British Crown, which explored the Pacific Northwest in the 1790s. The island in these waters is named for Lieutenant Joseph Whidbey, who was a member of this English expedition. The crossed swords of the Navy and Marnie Corps officers attest to the Navy Marine Corps teamwork and leadership that are the foundation and key elements for accomplishment of Whidbey Island's amphibious warfare mission. The trident is the traditional symbol of sea power; however, the winged trident of LSD-41 further represents the revolutionary dimension of amphibious warfare this ship introduces. The gold and red colors of the winged trident portray the excellence and courage of those who will man the ship. The wreath of Western Hemlock, the State Tree of Washington, represents the spirit of the ship's namesake.
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