Army service .281943.E2.80.941946.29 SS Munargo (1921)

partial index of nypoe ship conversion plans usahs thistle.

the army had been hesitant withdraw troop carrying capacity conversion designated, convention protected hospital ships in june 1943, under pressure of , experience north african campaign surgeon general , joint chiefs of staff decided protected hospital ships normal means of evacuation helpless patients forward area hospitals. these ships not floating hospitals initial treatment navy hospital ships transports clear forward area army hospitals rear areas or united states , smaller, slower troop ships selected , converted replacement through new construction available.

under supervision of maintenance , repair branch of water division @ new york port of embarkation converted munargo hospital ship new name thistle patient capacity of 455 making first voyage north africa on 8 april 1944. operating charleston, south carolina, made 9 voyages of mercy mediterranean. ordered pacific ocean in september 1945, called @ leyte , returned west coast in december. decommissioned hospital ship in march 1946.

army transport

immediate postwar pressure brought transport war brides, including infants, , military dependents transportation had been suspended duration of war. available ships still in wartime condition , largely unsuitable civilian, particularly children, passengers. pressure transport dependents reached congressional level , in response, though congress withdrew resolution forcing army comply, 30 vessels, majority army troop or hospital ships designated partial conversion more suitable transports, including provision of cribs, high chairs, play pens, , baby baths , special laundry facilities.

thistle redesignated united states army transport, repainted convention hospital ship white , usat thistle engaged in relocating army dependents , personnel until lay in 1948. ship active in role when on 17 january 1948 usat thistle reported in pacific stars , stripes having arrived morning in yokohama 220 dependents, 38 enlisted men, 3 officers, 11 school teachers , ten dacs (department of army civilians) after seventeen-day voyage seattle.

she took load of army air force men , dependents stationed in alaska.

usat thistle in 1948, seattle yokohama, japan- courtesy of elizabeth terry

one of last trips thistle took seattle, washington usa yokohama, japan. aboard elizabeth terry, department of army civilian. scan 8 x 10 black , white photograph of thistle had in album. wrote on of photo, trip february 10th through 26th of 1948.