LSTs were long, wide with a displacement weight of 1,653 tons (4,080 tons fully loaded). They were powered from a Main Engine Room by two General Motors V-12 engines (known as GM 567s) which were railroad engines adapted to marine use. Their maximum speed was approximately . Additional engines in the Auxiliary Engine Room provided the ships with electricity. LST "494" was armed with a 3 inch/50 cal. gun on her stern (later replaced with a twin 40 mm gun) and multiple 40 mm and 20 mm anti-aircraft guns. In the European Theater LST "494" carried 6 LCVPs (Landing Craft Vehicle, Personnel), also known as “Higgins Boats”, each of which was armed with two .30-cal. machine guns. Invasion bound LSTs were manned by a crew of approximately 150.