Haskell class attack transport
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 USS Noble (APA-218), a ship of the Haskell class, in 1956 |
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Haskell-class attack transport |
| Builders: | California Shipbuilding Oregon Shipbuilding Permanente Metals Kaiser Shipbuilding |
| Preceded by: | Gilliam-class |
| Built: | 1944 - 1945 |
| In commission: | 11 Sep 1944 - 29 Oct 1945 |
| Planned: | 132 |
| Completed: | 119 |
| Cancelled: | 13 |
| Active: | None |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 6,873 tons (lt), 14,837 t (fl) |
| Length: | 455 ft (139 m) |
| Beam: | 62 ft (19 m) |
| Draft: | 24 ft (7.3 m) |
| Propulsion: | 1 x geared turbine (Westinghouse, Joshua Hendy or Allis Chalmers), 2 x header-type boilers (Babcock & Wilcox or Combustion Engineering), 1 x propeller, designed shaft horsepower 8,500 |
| Speed: | 18 - 19 knots |
| Boats and landing craft carried: |
2 x LCM, 12 x LCVP, 3 x LCPU |
| Capacity: | Troops: 86 officers, 1,475 enlisted Cargo: 150,000 cu ft, 2,900 tons |
| Complement: | 56 officers, 480 enlisted |
| Armament: | 1 x 5"/38 dual-purpose gun, 4 x twin 40mm guns, 10 x single 20mm guns; late armament, add 1 x 40mm quad mount |
Haskell class attack transports (APA) were amphibious assault ships of the United States Navy created in 1944. They were designed to transport 1,500 troops and their combat equipment, and land them on hostile shores with the ships' integral landing craft.
The Haskells were very active in the World War II Pacific Theater of Operations, landing Marines and Army troops and transporting casualties at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Ships of the class were among the first Allied ships to enter Tokyo Bay at the end of World War II, landing the first occupation troops at Yokosuka. After the end of World War II, most participated in "Operation Magic Carpet," the massive sealift of US personnel back to the United States. A few of the Haskell-class were reactivated for the Korean conflict, with some staying in service into the Vietnam War.
The Haskell-class design, Maritime Commission standard type VC2-S-AP5, is a sub‑type of the World War II Victory ship design. 117 Haskell-class ships were launched in 1944 and 1945, with 14 more being cancelled.
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[edit] Design
The VC2-S-AP5 design was intended for the transport and landing of over 1,500 troops and their heavy combat equipment. During Operation Magic Carpet, up to 1,900 personnel per ship were caried homeward.[1]
The Haskells carried 25 landing craft to deliver the troops and equipment right onto the beach. The 23 main boats were the 36 feet (11 m) long, LCVP. They were designed to carry 36 equipped troops. The other 2 landing craft were the 50 foot (15 m) long LCM(3), capable of carrying 60 troops or 30 tons (27 t) of cargo, or the 56 foot (17m) LCM(6).[2] They also carried one Gig.
The Haskell class ships were armed with one 5"/38 caliber gun, twelve Bofors 40 mm guns (one quad mount, four dual mounts), and ten Oerlikon 20 mm guns.
[edit] Ships of the Haskell Class
Haskell class attack transports included APA-117, USS Haskell (APA-117), the lead ship, through APA-247, the never completed USS Mecklenburg. APA-181 through APA-186 were never named and cancelled in 1944. APA-240 through APA-247 were named, but cancelled in 1945 when the war ended. With the special exception of the USS Marvin H. McIntyre (APA-129), the Haskell-class ships were all named after counties of the United States.
[edit] Fate
Most of the Haskell-class ships were mothballed in 1946, with only a few remaining in service. Many of the Haskell-class were scrapped in 1973-75.[3] A few were converted into Missile Range Instrumentation Ships.
As of the 29 February 2008 MARAD inventory, there are only two ships built as Haskell-class left in the inventory, both in the National Defense Reserve Fleet at James River, Virginia:
- The USS Gage (APA-168), the last remaining ship in the Haskell configuration. Gage was pending review upon whether or not she will become a museum ship,[1]. As of the 29 February 2008 MARAD Inventory, her official status had changed from "Disposal" to "Historic Hold".
- The USS Sherburne (APA-205), which was converted to USS Range Sentinel (AGM-22). Her status is listed as "Historic Review"
[edit] References
- Class information in Hazegray/DANFS APA-125 page
- MARAD National Defense Reserve Fleet "Current Inventory"
- ^ see USS Rutland (APA-192)
- ^ USS Lanier (APA-125) Deck Log, September 1945.
- ^ Sister Ship Display. Retrieved on 2006-09-23.
[edit] External links
- US Naval Historical Center Photo Library - APA List by Hull Number
- MARAD Records for Haskell Class
- Ship Model and Blueprints for Haskell Class
