HTMS Mataphon
The HTMS Mataphon was sunk on 20.10.2012 south-east of Ko Larn near Had Nuen beach. The amphibious landing ship was originally in service for the US Navy during World War 2 and was soon after transfered to the Thai Navy. She was employed until shortly before her sinking and she is the sister ship of the HTMS Phetra which was sunk just three days afterwards near Ko Man Nok, Rayong.
On October 20th 2012, thanks to the efforts of Dive Tribe and the DMCR, Pattaya strengthened her name as the Wreck Capital of Thailand, with the sinking of the HTMS Mataphon. She has been sunk just outside of Koh Larn on the South East side, at the dive site Hat Nuan.
The HTMS Mataphon was an former American landing ship (USS LCT-1089) of the LCT-Mk6 class. And was renamed by the Royal Thai Navy to HTMS Mataphon, named after an island in the Andaman Sea.
The 35-meter-long Mataphon sits in about 20 m. of water expected to be in the upright “sailing” position. The top is estimated at about 15 m. The ship was well prepared by navy as a dive site and is free of armaments, oil and most hazards to divers.
As a landing vessel the bottom of the vessel is quit flat, as also the deck of the ship.
The Mataphon has been in service for more then 60 years.
Her last known activity was to participate in the removal and re-sinking of the Pak One, more commonly know as the “Vertical Wreck” in Thailand.
As it has just been sunk there is not a lot coral growth yet - although more than expected is there already - and it is unknown what kind of Aquatic life it will attract more.
We are hoping that it will become a shelter for more mature Bamboo- or Nursesharks that quit often have been sighted in the area.
The main area of interest are:
HTMS Mataphon Facts and Specifications
Specifications
source:
Pattaya-scuba.net
Pattaya Adventure Divers
former Pattaya Diveshop - author DD
Thailand Wreck Diver
On October 20th 2012, thanks to the efforts of Dive Tribe and the DMCR, Pattaya strengthened her name as the Wreck Capital of Thailand, with the sinking of the HTMS Mataphon. She has been sunk just outside of Koh Larn on the South East side, at the dive site Hat Nuan.
The HTMS Mataphon was an former American landing ship (USS LCT-1089) of the LCT-Mk6 class. And was renamed by the Royal Thai Navy to HTMS Mataphon, named after an island in the Andaman Sea.
The 35-meter-long Mataphon sits in about 20 m. of water expected to be in the upright “sailing” position. The top is estimated at about 15 m. The ship was well prepared by navy as a dive site and is free of armaments, oil and most hazards to divers.
As a landing vessel the bottom of the vessel is quit flat, as also the deck of the ship.
The Mataphon has been in service for more then 60 years.
Her last known activity was to participate in the removal and re-sinking of the Pak One, more commonly know as the “Vertical Wreck” in Thailand.
As it has just been sunk there is not a lot coral growth yet - although more than expected is there already - and it is unknown what kind of Aquatic life it will attract more.
We are hoping that it will become a shelter for more mature Bamboo- or Nursesharks that quit often have been sighted in the area.
The main area of interest are:
- Radio tower: Batfish swimming around
- Toilets
- Guns locations - still moving
HTMS Mataphon Facts and Specifications
- Laid down: 10 May 1944 at Quincy Barge Builders, Quincy, IL.
- Launched:20 June 1944
- Commissioned:
- During World War II LCT-1089 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater LCT Flotilla 27, Group 81 (LT. W.B. Hazeltine) and participated in the: Luzon operation Lingayen Gulf landings, 9 to 18 January 1945
- Decommissioned:November 9th 1948
- Struck From the Naval Register: Date unknown
- Transferred: September 5th 1948 to Thailand and renamed HTMS Pethra (LST-761)
- Final Disposition: unknow
- Decoration: LCT-1089 earned one battle star for World War II service
Specifications
- Displacement: 160t.(landing), 309 - 320 t.(fully loaded)
- Length: 36.3 m oa<
- Width: 9.96
- Beam:32 m
- Draft:light Normal is 0.45 m at 1.11 m., fully loaded: 1.09 fore, 1.22 aft , fully loaded ??
- Speed: 8kts, (max.), (309tons displacement)
- Complement: one officers, 12 enlisted
- Armament: 2 20mm
- Vehicle/Boat Capacity: Military load 4 medium or 3 heavy tanks or 150 t of cargo
- Troop Accommodations: 8
- Armor: ?
- Propulsion: 3 Gray 225 hp diesels; triple screws (675hp)
- Endurance: nm (kts) 700 (7)
source:
Pattaya-scuba.net
Pattaya Adventure Divers
former Pattaya Diveshop - author DD
Thailand Wreck Diver