LCI(L)

The LCI(L), Landing Craft Infantry (Large), was the main Allied landing craft for putting infantry directly onto beaches in the Second World War. It began as a British request for a seagoing assault ship able to carry far more troops than the small assault landing craft, and the plans were developed in the United States into a small steel ship that could land about 200 men after crossing under its own power at up to 15 knots. Some 923 were built in ten American shipyards and 211 were provided to the Royal Navy under lend-lease. All were driven by two banks of Detroit Diesel 6-71 engines and were first armed with Oerlikon 20 mm cannon. Variants included gunboat, mortar, rocket and flotilla flagship conversions, and several craft survive as museum ships and sightseeing boats.