LSD 32 Spiegel Grove

• Namesake: USS Spiegel Grove (LSD-32) was named after the Ohio estate of President Rutherford B. Hayes, known as "Spiegel Grove." It is unique as most U.S. Navy ships are named after cities, states, or notable naval figures. • Class and Role: Spiegel Grove was a Thomaston-class dock landing ship, designed to transport and launch landing craft and amphibious vehicles during amphibious assaults. • Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on June 8, 1956, and served for over 33 years before being decommissioned on October 2, 1989. • Cuban Missile Crisis: Spiegel Grove participated in the U.S. naval blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, playing a role in one of the Cold War’s tensest moments. • Vietnam War Service: The ship made several deployments to Vietnam, supporting amphibious operations and transporting troops, vehicles, and cargo throughout the conflict. • Humanitarian Missions: Spiegel Grove was involved in humanitarian operations, including relief efforts after Hurricane Camille in 1969, showcasing the Navy’s non-combat capabilities. • Decommissioning: After a lengthy and varied career, the ship was decommissioned in 1989 and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1997. • Artificial Reef: In 2002, Spiegel Grove was intentionally sunk off Key Largo, Florida, to create an artificial reef. This was part of an environmental initiative to boost marine life and provide a site for divers. • Unusual Sinking: During the sinking operation, Spiegel Grove unexpectedly rolled over and settled upside down on the sea floor. It later shifted to rest on its starboard side after a hurricane, before eventually coming to rest upright after another storm in 2005. • Diving Destination: Today, the Spiegel Grove is one of the largest ships ever intentionally sunk to form an artificial reef and is a world-renowned dive site, attracting thousands of divers annually and supporting local tourism and marine ecology.