The U.S. Navy is auctioning off two LCM-8s, landing vessels used during the Vietnam conflict that are capable of plowing onto a beach and kicking off an amphibious assault.
Bidding opened at $25. But by Wednesday afternoon, offers had already soared to $15,500, United Press International reported. Interested parties have until Thursday to compete.
The vessels are docked at the Naval Station Great Lakes just north of Chicago. They can carry up to 200 people, Navy officials said, in the UPI report.
They’re 74 feet long, 21 feet wide and can also carry an M60 tank.
Possible uses: Cruise Lake Michigan. Transport scuba divers to and from the Caribbean. Stage a D-Day invasion, UPI said.
The auction comes by way of the private company, Government Liquidation. The firm buys unused Department of Defense equipment for auction.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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