HTMS Khramto ble opprinnelig bygget for den amerikanske marinen under den andre verdenskrig, og ble satt i tjeneste i Asia. Her gjorde skipet tjeneste frem til august 1946, hvor skipet deretter ble overført til Pacific Reserve Fleet. 25. Mai 1962 ble skipet overført til den Thailandske marine og gitt nytt navn, HTMS Khramto. Detaljer om tjenesten under Thailands flagg er ukjent. 1 februar 2003 ble Khramto som nå var slettet fra listene i den Thailanske marinen, senket for å skape et kunstig rev utenfor Pattaya, mer presist nær øyene Koh Phi and Koh Larn. Vraket av Khramto hviler på en dybde av femten til tretti meter ca tre hundre meter utenfor øya Koh Phi, stående på kjølen. En båt er nødvendig for å nå vrakstedet...

HTMS Khramto was originally built for the american navy during second world war, and was put in service in Asia. Here the ship did service until august 1946, where he ship thereafter was transferred to Pacific Reserve Fleet. 25. May 1962 the ship was transferred to the Thailand navy and given a new name, HTMS Khramto. Details of the service under the flag of Thailand is unknown. 1 february 2003 Khramto who now was stricken from the list in the Thailand navy, sunk to create an artificial reef outside Pattaya, more precisely near the islands of Koh Phi and Koh Larn. The wreck of Khramto rest on a depth of fifteen to thirty meters three hundred meters outside the island of Koh Phi, resting on her keel. A boat is needed to reach the wreck site...

 

Name:
Former names:
 Material:
Dimensions:
Khramto \ L 732
USS LSM-469
Steel
203,6x 34,6x 8,3 f.
       
Brt \ Nrt: Built: Homeport: Cargo:
520 \ 928 Houston ( USA ) 1945 ( TH )  

 

Picture: © Bangkok Post

Laid down at Brown Shipbuilding Co., Houston.
Commissioned USS LSM-469, 17 March 1945 , LT. Lee S. Barton.
During and after World War II LSM-469 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater
Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, Columbia River Group, Astoria
Transferred, 25 May 1962 to Thailand, renamed HTMS Khramto.
Sunk as an artificial reef 1 February 2003 outside Pattaya, Thailand
Complement 4 officers, 54 enlisted
Armament one single bow mounted 40mm gun, four single 20mm gun mounts
Vehicle/Boat Capacity 5 medium or 3 heavy tanks, or 6 LVT's, or 9 DUKW's
Troop Accommodations 2 officers, 46 enlisted
Armor 10-lb. STS splinter shield to gun mounts, pilot house and conning station
Propulsion two Fairbanks Morse (model 38D81/8X10, reversible with hydraulic clutch) diesels. Direct drive with 1,440 BHP each @ 720rpm, twin screws

This ship has been well prepared by the Thai Navy as a dive site, and is free from armaments, oil and most hazards to divers. Large holes have been cut in many areas and penetration dives through the ships passageways rarely takes the diver out of natural light. The Bridge and radio room is the highest area of the wreck. All the glass has been taken out of the windows , telegraph, steering mechanism, and any bits that may be used as spare parts have gone. Entry into the bridge area is simple and safe. The ship was made for carrying tanks, troops and equipment to a beach head, so the center of the boat is a large flat area with built up sides. There are several points of entry into the well lit side corridors, don't kick up the silt in them though as you swim through, else a complete silt out will occur. The engine room is located aft, entry via a large access hole in the middle of the load deck. again, great natural light in this area Both main engines have been removed.

Edited 29.06.2007