USS Carlisle (APA-69) was a Gilliam-class attack transport that served with the US Navy
during World War II. Arriving late in the war, she was initially assigned to transport missions and consequently did not participate in any combat operations.

Carlisle was named after a county in Kentucky. She was launched 30 July 1944 by Consolidated Steel at San Pedro, California, under a Maritime Commission contract; acquired by the Navy 28 November 1944 and commissioned the next day, Commander H. R. Adams in command.

Operational history
World War II

Carlisle cleared San Diego 23 January 1945, carrying sailors, marines, and general cargo to Pearl Harbor. She returned to San Francisco 11 February, and after repairs, sailed to San Diego to load passengers and cargo for Pearl Harbor. Between 2 April and 5 June, she had duty training and transporting Marine units among the islands of the Hawaiian group.

After hostilities

Carlisle made three voyages to the west coast from Hawaii and Japan, and shorter passages among South Pacific islands, redeploying servicemen until 4 February 1946.

Operation Crossroads
Carlisle was then assigned as a target vessel for Operation Crossroads, the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll, and was sunk in one of those tests on 1 July 1946.

Out of all the wrecks I have dived in Bikini to date, the Carlisle shows the most immediate bomb damage. And it is so apparent!

All on the port side of the ship the hull has been folded like paper. Folds going horizontally along the entire length of the hull. Extendive damage on the superstructure and main deck forward collapsed.

The starboard hull is largely intact. Being an attack transport and not the usual destroyers or heavy cruisers we were diving came as a nice change. Loads of fish on the wreck and intersting artifacts on the main deck aft towards the stern.

Nice stern gun.