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SHIP'S ARCHIVES

When I first set out to launch this website, I had one clear objective: to ensure it became the premier, definitive resource for information on our ship. This site is the result of a multi-year research project where I gathered nearly every fragment of information available online—videos, images, and documents—to create a centralized home for our legacy.

To go beyond what was publicly accessible, I also worked directly with the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) and National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to identify and document the physical artifacts and official records from USS Anchorage (LSD 36) currently held in their collections.

Cruise Books

Note: The NHHC Navy Department Library only accepts original cruise books for their collection. Because of copyright issues, they only photocopy portions of a book and not the entire book.

Frank Arre, formerly with the Naval Historical Foundation, has access to the following cruise books for duplication: 1968-1970, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1987, 1989, and 1998. Thanks to shipmates Paul Vangoethem for providing the 1975 book, Dennis Pard for providing 1977 and 1980, and Darren Knight for providing 1987. I have been told there was no cruise book produced for the 2002 deployment. Frank does have access to 1972, 1990-1991, 1994, 1996, and 2001, but doesn’t think the quality of images are adequate for reproduction.

If you have a cruise book for a year he does not have, or any of the not 'adequate for reproduction' years, Frank asks that you do one of two things, either donate the book outright or allow it to be copied and then returned to you. If donated, Frank would copy first, then turn it over to the Navy Department Library, who would send you a tax-deduction form. EMail Frank for more information.

The NHHC has the following artifacts from USS Anchorage (LSD 36)

In 2025, I completed a research trip to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in College Park, MD, where I obtained 57 pages of our ship’s original hull plans. Additionally, I coordinated with Colorlab in Rockville, MD, to digitize our official launching film from NARA. They produced a stunning 4K ProRes4444 archival master along with an HD version optimized for streaming. With the exception of NARA, LSD36.COM is the only available source for the hull plans and videos. These additions join a growing collection of items generously donated by crew members.

LSD36.COM has the following artifacts ...

TIP: When looking at a document, CNTRL F and typing ANCHORAGE or just LSD might direct you to relevant text faster

With reference to USS Anchorage (LSD 36):

If have questions or comments about the information found on this page, please EMail Michael.

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