D-Day Hero LCT 7074 Finally Lands at New Southsea Home After Storm Delay
The last surviving tank landing craft from D-Day, LCT 7074, has made a dramatic sea journey from Portsmouth Naval Base to her new berth on Southsea Beach. This historic 59-metre, 300-ton craft is now proudly positioned outside the D-Day Story museum as a living tribute to the 800 tank landing crafts that stormed Normandy in 1944.
Storm Forces Delay in Epic Relocation
After an initial attempt was scrubbed due to fierce winds, LCT 7074 finally touched down at Southsea Beach in the early hours of 24 August 2020. Nick Hewitt, Head of Collections at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, said: “Just like D-Day itself, this move required intricate planning, aligning high tides with clear weather and local road closures.”
The giant ship was carefully transported on a barge from Portsmouth Naval Base, then moved by road onto Southsea Common where she will become the centerpiece of a major new exhibit.
£4.7 Million Lottery Fund Powers Stunning Restoration
Thanks to a £4.7 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and a collaboration between the National Museum of the Royal Navy and Portsmouth City Council, LCT 7074 has been restored to its wartime glory inside Portsmouth’s vast ship fabrication hall – the very place where the Royal Navy’s latest aircraft carriers were built.
Originally slated for June, the project was delayed by the Coronavirus pandemic. Hewitt explained the tough decision: “Delaying was essential to keep our crews safe, but it added £75,000 to costs, which we are now fundraising to cover.”
Secret, Careful Move to Avoid Crowds
To prevent public gatherings during the pandemic, details of the move were kept under wraps. Hewitt said the team faced narrow windows of calm weather and tidal conditions: “We were disappointed when the first attempt failed. High winds made it unsafe, but we’re thrilled she’s finally home.”
A Living Memorial to D-Day Heroes
Portsmouth City Council’s Culture Cabinet Member, Cllr Steve Pitt, hailed the relocation as “a great success and fitting tribute to those who served at D-Day.” When LCT 7074 opens to the public this autumn, visitors can step aboard and experience history first-hand, complete with two refurbished tanks displayed on deck to recreate the sights of 1944.
The National Museum of the Royal Navy and the D-Day Story will share behind-the-scenes blogs exploring LCT 7074’s restoration journey in the coming months. Those keen to support this incredible project can donate at nmrn.org.uk/donate.
