Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. USS Tuscaloosa (LST-1187), the ninth of the Newport-class tank landing ships, and the second ship of the United States Navy to be named after the city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Tuscaloosa (LST-1187) was laid down on 23 November 1968 at San Diego, California by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. She was launched on 6 September 1969 sponsored by Mrs. Thomas F. Connolly and commissioned on 24 October 1970 with Commander Harry W. Kinsley Jr. in command.