DECATUR, Ala. (AP) _ Appearing like a huge moving warehouse as it pierced the horizon near Decatur under overcast skies, a gray ghost of World War II eased toward Ingalls Harbor.

Several people anxious for a first glimpse at the 50-foot wide, 328-foot long USS LST-325 lined the river bank Wednesday.

The Decatur Daily reports (http://bit.ly/1qgalWQ) that 66-year-old LuLu Simmons of Athens stood with her sister, 69-year-old Loice Johnson of Leighton to see the historic vessel and pay tribute to their father, who served in the Navy during World War II.

Residents gathered at the front of the LST-325 as she dropped her 14-foot bow door ramp at the dock.

The LST-325, now based in Evansville, Indiana, sails on educational tours with a 45-member volunteer crew once a year.