USS BARNSTABLE COUNTY (LST-1197)

• Namesake: USS Barnstable County (LST-1197) was named after Barnstable County, Massachusetts, following the tradition of naming tank landing ships after U.S. counties. • Class and Type: She was a Newport-class tank landing ship (LST), a class notable for their bow ramp and improved speed over earlier LSTs. • Launch and Commissioning: Barnstable County was laid down on 18 November 1970, launched on 2 October 1971, and commissioned into the U.S. Navy on 27 May 1972. • Innovative Bow Design: Newport-class LSTs, including Barnstable County, featured a 112-foot aluminum ramp supported by two derrick arms, which allowed vehicles and cargo to be offloaded directly onto a beach or causeway. • Service in the Atlantic Fleet: The ship was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet and participated in numerous amphibious exercises, training missions, and deployments in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and along the U.S. East Coast. • Operation Urgent Fury: In 1983, Barnstable County took part in Operation Urgent Fury, the U.S.-led invasion of Grenada, providing transport and logistical support. • Cold War Role: During the Cold War, Barnstable County played a key role in NATO exercises, supporting allied operations and demonstrating U.S. amphibious capabilities. • Humanitarian Missions: The ship was involved in humanitarian assistance operations, including disaster relief in the Caribbean. • Decommissioning: USS Barnstable County was decommissioned on 2 March 1994 after over two decades of service. • Transfer to Spain: After decommissioning, the vessel was transferred to the Spanish Navy in 1994, where she served as Hernán Cortés (L-41) before her eventual retirement.