USS Mercy (AH-8)
_underway_in_San_Pedro_Bay,_California_(USA),_15_August_1944_(NH_103222).jpg) USS Mercy (AH-8) underway in San Pedro Bay, California, 15 August 1944
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | USS Mercy |
| Builder | Wilmington, Los Angeles, California |
| Laid down | 4 February 1943 |
| Launched | 25 March 1943 |
| Sponsored by | Lieutenant (j.g) Doris M. Yetter, NC, USN |
| Acquired | 25 March 1943 |
| Commissioned | 7 August 1944 |
| Decommissioned | 17 May 1946 |
| Stricken | 25 September 1946 |
| Fate | Sold for scrap, 23 November 1970[1] |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Comfort-class hospital ship |
| Displacement | 9,800 long tons (9,957 t) |
| Length | 416 ft (127 m) |
| Beam | 60 ft 2 in (18.34 m) |
| Draft | 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m) |
| Propulsion | Geared turbine, single screw, 4,000 shp (2,983 kW) |
| Speed | 15.3 knots (17.6 mph; 28.3 km/h) |
| Capacity | 400 patients |
| Complement | 516 |
| Armament | None |
| Service record | |
| Operations: | World War II |
| Awards: |
2 battle stars |
The second USS Mercy (AH-8) was a
Service history
Mercy was one of three hospital ships, the others being USS Comfort (AH-6) and USS Hope (AH-7), built, commanded and crewed by the Navy for the Army. These ships, unlike the Navy hospital ships, were intended for evacuation and transport of patients after primary care had been given. Medical equipment and personnel were provided by the Army. The Army medical complement table of organization provided for the temporary reinforcement of the staff if the ship directly supported amphibious operations.[2][3]
Philippines
After shakedown beginning 17 August, Mercy, staffed by the
Mercy moved to
Okinawa
On 19 March Mercy reported to the 5th Fleet at
Mercy next carried wounded from Leyte and Manila on two voyages to Biak, returning to Manila on 23 June for two months' duty as station hospital ship. On 19 August she embarked the 227th Station Hospital assigned to the Korean Occupation Forces, and three days later departed for Korea via Okinawa, arriving Jinsen 9 September.
On 19 October the hospital ship departed for Manila and
Mercy decommissioned at
Mercy received two battle stars for her World War II service.
Post-war
She was decommissioned in 1946 and placed in reserve. In 1956, she was sold to the State University of New York Maritime College as the training ship, Empire State III. She served in this role until being replaced in 1959. She was later scrapped in 1970.
References
- ^ "Hospital Ship (AH) Photo Index".
- ^ Condon-Rall & Cowdrey 1998, p. 258.
- ^ Smith 1956, pp. 326, 422, 424.
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
- Condon-Rall, Mary Ellen; Cowdrey, Albert E. (1998). The Technical Services—The Medical Department: Medical Service In The War Against Japan. United States Army In World War II. Washington, DC: Center Of Military History, United States Army. LCCN 97022644.
- Smith, Clarence McKittrick (1956). The Technical Services—The Medical Department: Hospitalization And Evacuation, Zone Of Interior. United States Army In World War II. Washington, DC: Center Of Military History, United States Army. LCCN 55060005.