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Haskell-class attack transport
Haskell-class attack transport
Haskell-class attack transport
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USS Noble, a ship of the Haskell class, in 1956
Class overview
NameHaskell class
Builders
Preceded byGilliam class
Succeeded byPaul Revere class
Built1944–1945
In commission11 September 1944 – 29 October 1945
Planned131
Completed117
Canceled14
Lost0
General characteristics
TypeAttack transport
Displacement6,873 tons (lt), 14,837 t (fl)
Length455 ft (139 m)
Beam62 ft (19 m)
Draft24 ft (7 m)
Propulsion1 × geared turbine (Westinghouse, Joshua Hendy or Allis-Chalmers), 2 × header-type boilers (Babcock & Wilcox or Combustion Engineering), 1 × propeller, designed 8,500 shp (6,338 kW)
Speed18–19 knots (33–35 km/h; 21–22 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried
Capacity
  • Troops: 86 officers, 1,475 enlisted
  • Cargo: 150,000 cu ft, 2,900 tons
Complement56 officers, 480 enlisted
Armament

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 War, with some staying in service into the Vietnam War.

The Haskell class, Maritime Commission standard type VC2-S-AP5, is a sub‑type of the World War II Victory ship design. 117 were launched in 1944 and 1945, with 14 more being finished as another VC2 type or canceled. Built by the War Shipping Administration under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. The class was named for the Haskell Counties of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Design

[edit]

The VC2-S-AP5 design was intended for the transport and assault landing of over 1,500 troops and their heavy combat equipment. During Operation Magic Carpet, up to 1,900 personnel per ship were carried homeward.[Note 1]

The Haskells carried 25 landing craft to deliver the troops and equipment right onto the beach. The 23 main boats were the 36-foot (11 m)-long LCVP. The LCVP was designed to carry 36 equipped troops. The other two 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 (17 m) LCM (6).[1] They also carried one gig.

The Haskell-class ships were armed with one 5"/38 caliber gun, twelve Bofors 40 mm L/60 guns (one quad mount, four dual mounts), and ten Oerlikon 20 mm guns.

Ships of the Haskell class

[edit]
Main article: List of United States Navy amphibious warfare ships § Haskell class
USS St. Mary's in San Francisco Bay, California, in late 1945 or early 1946. She is returning troops from the western Pacific to the United States as part of Operation Magic Carpet. Note the long homeward bound pennant trailing from her after mast, and the sign on shore (in the right distance) stating "Welcome Home, Well Done."

Haskell-class attack transports included APA-117, USS Haskell, the lead ship, through APA-247, the never completed USS Mecklenburg. The hulls for APA-181 through APA-186 were repurposed to be hospital ships before they were named. Ultimately those hospital ships were built on larger C4 plan and the six VC2 hulls were built in a merchant configuration.[2] APA-240 through APA-247 were named, but cancelled in 1945 when the war ended. With the special exception of USS Marvin H. McIntyre, the Haskell-class ships were all named after counties of the United States.

Fate

[edit]

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.

  • USS Gage, the last remaining ship in the Haskell configuration, was scrapped in 2009 at ESCO Marine, in Brownsville, Tx.[4]
  • USS Sherburne, which was converted and renamed USS Range Sentinel, lasted until she was scrapped in 2012.
  • SS Rutland Victory was sold to a private company and sank on 13 February 1976 600 miles East of Tokyo, Japan.
USS Rutland lowering an LCM off Iwo Jima in 1945

Notable incidents

[edit]
  • USS Hinsdale (APA-120) had Kamikaze attack damage on 1 April 1945 at Okinawa. Over 15 men were killed. The extensive engine room damage was later repaired.
  • USS Telfair (APA-210) on 2 April 1945 was hit by kamikaze attack, the plane hit the side of the ship then dropped into the sea. She was later repaired.
  • USS La Grange (APA-124) on 13 August 1945 damaged in last kamikaze attack of WW2, 21 sailors killed and 89 wounded.
  • USS Colbert (APA-145) had mine damage on 17 September 1945, off Okinawa, this caused the death of three men and damaged the ship extensively.

In fiction

[edit]

The 1956 movie Away All Boats presents operations on an attack transport. It was based on a popular novel of the same name, written by an officer who served on one during World War 2.[5]

The opening chapters of the novel "Cinderella Liberty" were set on the APA USS Begonia.

See also

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Notes

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ USS Lanier (APA-125) Deck Log, September 1945.
  2. ^ Friedman, Norman (2002). U.S. Amphibious Ships and Craft. Naval Institute Press. p. 190. ISBN 978-1-55750-250-6. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
  3. ^ "Sister Ship Display". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2006.
  4. ^ "PMARS is currently down for maintainence [sic]". Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  5. ^ AWAY ALL BOATS

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Haskell-class attack transport

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Haskell-class attack transport was a class of amphibious assault ships of the , consisting of 117 vessels built during on the hulls of Maritime Commission VC2-S-AP5 Victory ships converted for troop transport and landing operations. These ships were designed to carry approximately 1,500 to 1,600 troops along with their combat equipment and to deploy them ashore via an assortment of , including 21–22 LCVPs and 2 LCM(3)s, making them essential for large-scale amphibious invasions in the Pacific theater. Measuring 455 feet in length with a beam of 62 feet and a draft of 24 feet, the Haskell class displaced 6,873 tons standard and up to 14,837 tons at full load, powered by a single-shaft generating 8,500 shaft horsepower for a top speed of 17.7 knots. Armament typically included one 5-inch/38-caliber for surface and antiaircraft defense, supported by 8 to 12 40 mm guns in twin and quadruple mounts, and 10 single 20 mm Oerlikon guns, with a complement of 536 personnel to operate the vessel. Each ship cost around $4.5 million to construct and was named after U.S. counties, reflecting their rapid wartime production at yards such as Shipbuilding in Wilmington and Shipbuilding in Portland. All Haskell-class ships entered service between 1944 and 1945, participating in major amphibious assaults including the invasions of , Okinawa, and , where they provided critical troop and logistics support under intense combat conditions. Postwar, the majority contributed to , repatriating American servicemen from overseas, while some were reactivated for the and limited roles in the Vietnam era before being decommissioned and mostly scrapped by the mid-1970s. All vessels were decommissioned by the mid-1970s and scrapped, with the last remaining example, the former USS Gage (APA-168), scrapped in 2009; no Haskell-class ships remain extant as of 2025.

Development and Construction

Background and Planning

During , the strategic imperatives in the Pacific Theater demanded robust amphibious capabilities to execute island-hopping campaigns against entrenched Japanese positions, necessitating ships that could rapidly transport large numbers of troops and equipment to contested beaches. Early experiences with classes like the Gilliam-class attack transports revealed limitations in capacity and versatility; these vessels, designed for around 850 troops and fewer , proved inadequate for the scale of operations required in major assaults such as those at and Okinawa, prompting the U.S. Navy to seek faster, higher-capacity designs capable of carrying up to 1,500 troops while integrating multiple for efficient debarkation. In response, the , approved by the U.S. Maritime Commission in 1943, authorized the development of the Haskell-class by adapting the proven VC2-S-AP5 hull variant from designs, which allowed for streamlined production using existing assembly lines to meet wartime urgency. This approach addressed the need for rapid output amid escalating demands for amphibious forces, building on the ship's advantages in speed and reliability over earlier ships. The U.S. Navy's initial requirements, formulated by the , emphasized conversions of standard cargo hulls into attack transports with a troop capacity target of 1,500, integration of approximately 25 (including LCVPs and LCMs), and enhanced accommodations for combat equipment to support prolonged Pacific operations. A total of 131 ships were planned under this program, with 117 ultimately authorized to bolster the fleet for late-war offensives. Key decision-makers, including the Bureau of Ships and the Maritime Commission, drove the planning process, with the concept originating in early 1944 following the 1943 program approval and leading to the issuance of the first contracts that spring to initiate conversions and new builds.

Building Program

The building program for the Haskell-class attack transports was a major wartime industrial endeavor coordinated by the U.S. Maritime Commission to rapidly expand amphibious assault capabilities. Construction contracts were awarded to several key shipyards, including Kaiser Shipyards in Vancouver, Washington, and Richmond, California; Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland, Oregon; and California Shipbuilding Corporation in Wilmington, California. These facilities collectively laid down 117 hulls between March 1944 and October 1944, with Oregon Shipbuilding alone responsible for 34 ships. The design adapted the standard VC2 hull (type VC2-S-AP5) for roles through prefabricated modular sections that integrated features like expanded troop berthing, cargo holds for vehicles and supplies, and davits for . This approach leveraged the ship's proven assembly-line techniques, allowing for accelerated production with an average construction time of about three months per ship from to launch. For example, USS Gage (APA-168) was laid down on August 13, 1944, and launched on October 14, 1944, after 62 days on the ways. Wartime production faced significant challenges, including material shortages and labor strains amid competing priorities for other naval vessels. These factors, exacerbated by the impending end of World War II, resulted in the cancellation of 14 planned hulls (APA-235 through APA-247) before construction began. Launch timelines varied by yard, but the lead ship, USS Haskell (APA-117), was launched on July 13, 1944, following its March 28 laying down at California Shipbuilding, with initial fitting-out completed shortly thereafter. Each Haskell-class ship cost approximately $4.5 million to construct, reflecting efficient mass-production methods that contributed to the 's amphibious fleet growing to over 100 attack transports by war's end. This expansion was critical for supporting large-scale Pacific operations.

Commissioning Process

The commissioning process for the Haskell-class attack transports involved the final outfitting of hulls built under Maritime Commission contracts, followed by rigorous testing and preparation to ensure readiness for amphibious roles. These ships, designed as modified Victory-type vessels (VC2-S-AP5), were transferred from shipyards to control for military conversion, with the Maritime Commission overseeing the transition to maintain production momentum amid wartime demands. The lead ship, (APA-117), exemplifies the standard timeline, having been accepted by the on 9 September 1944 and formally commissioned on 11 September 1944 at Wilmington, , under Anton L. Mare. Post-launch activities centered on shakedown cruises conducted in U.S. West Coast waters, typically lasting 1 to 2 months, to evaluate systems performance, stability, and operations. These trials, often based out of ports like , , San Pedro, or , focused on boat handling drills and amphibious maneuvers essential for troop deployment. For instance, USS Haskell completed its shakedown by 19 October 1944, arriving in for final adjustments, while USS Bingham (APA-225) underwent intensive amphibious training off in late 1944, including operations at Coronado and Oceanside. Variations occurred due to shipyard capacity constraints; some vessels, like USS Telfair (APA-210), experienced brief delays in outfitting before commissioning on 31 October 1944 at , followed by shakedowns off San Pedro. Crew training protocols emphasized the integration of personnel with embarked Marine detachments, prioritizing amphibious operations through simulated landings and equipment handling. crews, numbering around 500 officers and enlisted, received instruction in ship handling and gunnery alongside Marine units during post-shakedown exercises, as seen in USS Buckingham's (APA-141) training at in early 1945, which included practice assaults at Coronado, San Clemente, and Oceanside. This preparation ensured seamless coordination for troop transports of up to 1,500 personnel and their . Commissionings began in September 1944 with USS Haskell and continued through 1945, though production timelines from mid-1944 launches allowed most to enter service by war's end. By the conclusion of in August 1945, 111 Haskell-class ships had been commissioned, forming a critical component of the U.S. Navy's amphibious fleet and enabling swift Pacific deployments. The full class of 117 vessels was commissioned by the end of 1945, with the Maritime Commission's oversight facilitating the rapid shift from merchant hulls to combat-ready transports despite occasional delays from resource shortages.

Design and Characteristics

Hull and Propulsion

The Haskell-class attack transports were constructed with a welded hull derived from the U.S. Maritime Commission's VC2-S-AP5 , a modified variant of the standard Victory ship hull optimized for amphibious roles. This incorporated structural reinforcements, including strengthened decks to accommodate vehicle storage and the mounting of multiple boat davits for launching . Compared to unmodified Victory ships, the Haskell-class hulls featured additional to improve stability under the added weight of troops, , and topside armaments. Key dimensions included an overall of 455 feet (139 m), a beam of 62 feet (19 m), and a draft of 24 feet (7.3 m). Displacement measured approximately 6,800–7,200 long tons at light load and 14,837 long tons at full load. These specifications provided a balance of capacity and maneuverability suited to operations and beach assaults. was provided by a single geared (manufacturers included Westinghouse, , and Joshua Hendy) developing 8,500 shaft horsepower, powered by two Babcock & Wilcox header-type boilers and driving one propeller shaft. Fuel capacity comprised 7,780 barrels of Special Fuel Oil and 970 barrels of . This system enabled a maximum speed of 17 knots and a range of approximately 10,000 nautical miles at an economical speed of 15 knots, ensuring reliable endurance for extended voyages across the Pacific. The crew complement totaled 536 officers and enlisted personnel. The hull and adaptations emphasized seaworthiness for tropical Pacific deployments, with the robust Victory-derived offering enhanced resistance to rough seas and stability during high-speed maneuvers or heavy loading conditions.

Armament and Defenses

The primary armament of the Haskell-class attack transports consisted of a single twin 5-inch/ gun mount (Mark 38 mount with two Mark 12 guns) positioned forward, capable of both surface bombardment and anti-aircraft fire to support amphibious operations. This dual-purpose battery provided the main offensive capability against enemy surface targets and low-flying aircraft during landings. The secondary and anti-aircraft batteries were configured for robust defense, typically including twelve 40 mm guns arranged in four twin mounts and one quad mount, along with ten to twelve 20 mm Oerlikon guns in single mounts. These crew-served weapons formed a layered anti-aircraft suite, with the 40 mm emphasizing medium-range protection and the 20 mm Oerlikon handling close-in threats, particularly tailored to counter attacks prevalent in the late Pacific Theater. Weapons were installed during the conversion of VC2-S-AP5 hulls to configuration, with mounting points integrated into the superstructure and deck to balance stability and . Variations occurred across the class, as some vessels received additional anti-aircraft guns during wartime refits to enhance protection amid escalating aerial threats, though specific additions like extra 40 mm mounts were more common than larger calibers. Defensive features included extensive watertight compartments and subdivision, which improved and compartmentalization to mitigate flooding from hits or near-misses. Compared to the earlier Gilliam-class attack transports, which mounted only eight 40 mm guns alongside ten 20 mm Oerlikons, the Haskell-class featured a heavier anti-aircraft battery suited to intensified Pacific combat, including assaults. Nonetheless, this armament remained lighter than that of purpose-built cruisers, prioritizing transport utility over sustained .

Troop and Cargo Capacity

The Haskell-class attack transports were engineered to carry up to 1,561 troops, comprising 86 officers and 1,475 enlisted personnel, accommodated in temporary berths distributed across the upper cargo spaces of the vessel. These spaces provided essential facilities for the embarked forces, including mess halls for communal dining, dedicated and dental care units to address injuries and illnesses during voyages, and services to maintain . The design emphasized efficient use of the ship's internal volume, with troops housed in multi-deck arrangements that balanced comfort and rapid mobilization, supporting the transport of fully equipped or Marine units to amphibious objectives. A key feature of the class was its landing craft complement, totaling around 25 boats for swift deployment of troops and equipment ashore. This included 2 LCM(3) capable of transporting 60 troops or 30 tons of cargo each, 18–22 LCVPs for personnel ferrying, 1–2 LCP(L)s, and 1 LCP(R), all launched via heavy-duty systems positioned along the sides and stern. These craft enabled the Haskell-class ships to offload forces directly onto hostile beaches, enhancing their role in supporting Marine divisions during large-scale invasions. Cargo and vehicle storage were allocated primarily to the lower holds, with a total capacity of 2,900 deadweight tons and 150,000 cubic feet of non-refrigerated space for general supplies. Heavy vehicles, such as jeeps and trucks essential for divisional logistics, were stowed in these compartments alongside and other , allowing the vessels to sustain prolonged operations. Compared to earlier classes like the Gilliam-class, which carried only about troops, the Haskell-class represented a significant increase in capacity, accommodating larger assault echelons for Pacific Theater campaigns. The modular layout of troop areas also permitted reconfiguration for auxiliary roles, such as temporary hospitals, underscoring the ships' versatility in .

Operational History

World War II Pacific Theater

The Haskell-class attack transports entered service primarily in late 1944 and early 1945, with initial deployments focusing on the final phases of the Philippines campaign. Assigned to units such as Amphibious Group 12 and Transport Squadron 15, ships like USS Clearfield (APA-142) and USS Haskell (APA-117) supported the invasion of Lingayen Gulf in January 1945, transporting Army troops and equipment through contested waters while providing offshore gunfire support against shore defenses. These early operations marked the class's transition from shakedown cruises to combat, as the vessels ferried elements of the 43rd Infantry Division and other units to secure beachheads amid Japanese air and submarine threats. Several Haskell-class ships participated in the assault on in February 1945, landing from the 4th and 5th Divisions under the command of Amphibious Group 13. Vessels including USS Hinsdale (APA-120), USS Sibley (APA-206), and USS Lowndes (APA-154) shuttled troops and to the volcanic beaches, enduring heavy artillery fire and facilitating the initial waves that captured . By the operation's end, these ships had debarked thousands of and evacuated hundreds of casualties, contributing to the island's seizure after 36 days of fighting. The class's involvement extended to over a dozen major amphibious landings across the Central and Southern Pacific, including and in the . The Haskell-class reached its peak commitment during the in April 1945, where the majority of the 111 operational ships supported the largest amphibious assault of the . Operating as part of 51, they transported elements of the 6th Marine Division and units to the Hagushi beaches, launching integral to deliver troops amid intense attacks. Ships such as USS Hinsdale and USS Telfair (APA-210) came under direct fire, with Hinsdale suffering severe damage from a kamikaze strike on April 1 that killed 15 crewmen and left 40 missing or wounded, yet continued operations after temporary repairs. Telfair deflected two suicide planes on April 2, sustaining only minor damage. Collectively, the class played a pivotal role in landing over 180,000 Allied troops during the campaign, while also serving as ad hoc hospital ships for wounded Marines. Throughout their Pacific service, at least a dozen Haskell-class ships sustained damage from attacks, primarily off Okinawa, resulting in dozens of fatalities but no sinkings due to robust compartmentalization and damage control measures. Notable incidents included USS La Grange (APA-124), struck twice in with 21 killed and 89 wounded, and USS Colbert (APA-145), which hit a mine off Okinawa in September, killing three. These events underscored the vessels' resilience, as repairs at forward bases like allowed most to remain operational until Japan's surrender on September 2, 1945, with the fleet largely intact. The class's tactical versatility—deploying up to 25 per ship for troop shuttling, providing limited via 5-inch guns, and conducting casualty evacuations—proved essential to Marine Corps successes in securing key islands for the B-29 bombing campaign and staging the final push toward .

Post-War Operations

Following the end of , numerous Haskell-class attack transports participated in , the massive U.S. -led effort that returned over eight million American servicemen to the between September 1945 and September 1946. These ships, leveraging their large troop capacities of up to 1,900 personnel each, conducted multiple trans-Pacific voyages, embarking veterans from ports in , the , and other Pacific locations for transport to West Coast U.S. bases. For instance, USS Bexar (APA-237) transported troops from Yokosuka, Japan, to San Pedro, California, in late 1945 and early 1946 as part of this operation. Similarly, USS Haskell (APA-117), the of the class, completed two additional voyages to the Far East, embarking over 1,700 personnel at in September 1945 before sailing for . Other vessels, such as USS Sibley (APA-206) and USS Sevier (APA-233), departed from and Saipan, respectively, to facilitate the return of thousands more, contributing to the overall effort that utilized over 1,200 ships across global theaters. In response to the outbreak of the , approximately 20 Haskell-class ships were recommissioned between 1950 and 1953 to support forces through troop and supply transport across the Pacific. These vessels primarily ferried personnel and equipment from U.S. West Coast ports to key Korean locations, including Pusan and Inchon, without engaging in large-scale amphibious assaults akin to their roles. USS Renville (APA-227), recommissioned on 5 January 1952, shuttled troops between and these ports starting in November 1952, earning two battle stars for her contributions. USS Bexar (APA-237) played a prominent role in Operation Chromite, landing at Inchon in September 1950, delivering supplies to Pusan and , and later evacuating personnel from Chinnampo and Inchon in December 1950, while also supporting prisoner exchanges during in 1953; she received four battle stars for Korean War service. Ships like USS Menifee (APA-202) and USS Telfair (APA-210) similarly conducted multiple deployments, transporting troops and conducting training exercises in the region, bolstering logistical support until the armistice. During the Vietnam War era in the 1960s and 1970s, a smaller number of Haskell-class ships interrupted their reserve status for limited operational roles, primarily as troop transports and station ships along the Vietnamese coast, though direct use as attack transports (APA) diminished in favor of newer amphibious designs. USS Bexar (APA-237), for example, deployed to in November 1964 for flood relief and beach surveys, transported to and in 1965, and served as a station ship at and Vung Tau through 1968, earning six battle stars. USS Renville (APA-227), redesignated LPA-227 in 1969, ranged the Vietnamese coast from to Saigon in 1964–1966, carrying over 1,350 on alert and supporting landings at , with four battle stars for Vietnam service. These interruptions were sporadic, as most of the class remained in mothballs, reflecting the Navy's shift toward more modern vessels for sustained operations. The majority of Haskell-class ships spent the post-war period in reserve status, berthed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at locations such as , , and , where they underwent periodic maintenance and served in training capacities for naval reservists. USS (APA-117) was placed in the James River Reserve Fleet in May 1946 following her duties, while USS Rawlins (APA-226) joined the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at Norfolk in November 1946. This reserve role persisted into the 1970s, with gradual decommissioning as the introduced advanced amphibious ships like the Newport-class tank landing ships, leading to the class's overall phase-out by the mid-1970s.

Ships of the Class

List of Ships

The Haskell-class attack transports were a series of 117 amphibious assault ships ordered for the U.S. Navy during , with 111 completed and commissioned on the hulls of Maritime Commission VC2-S-AP5 Victory ships converted for troop transport; hull numbers ranged from APA-117 to APA-239, excluding the six cancelled APA-181 to APA-186. The ships were named after counties across the , following a convention that began with the USS Haskell (APA-117), named for Haskell County, Texas; an exception was APA-129 USS Marvin H. McIntyre, named for President Franklin D. Roosevelt's personal secretary rather than a county. was distributed among several West Coast shipyards under Maritime Commission contracts, with typical timelines involving laying down in mid-1944, launching by late 1944 or early 1945, and commissioning shortly thereafter to support Pacific Theater operations. The table below provides the complete roster, including hull number, name, builder, laid down date, launched date, and commissioned date where applicable (cancelled ships lack commissioning details). Dates and builders are derived from official Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS) entries, with the overall roster confirmed by U.S. Navy historical records. Some later hulls were commissioned in 1946 post-war.
Hull NumberNameBuilderLaid DownLaunchedCommissioned
APA-117USS HaskellCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA28 March 194411 July 19441 September 1944
APA-118USS HendryCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA13 April 194425 July 194415 September 1944
APA-119USS HighlandsCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA27 April 19448 August 194429 September 1944
APA-120USS HinsdaleCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA11 May 194422 August 194413 October 1944
APA-121USS HockingCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA25 May 19445 September 194427 October 1944
APA-122USS KentonCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA8 June 194419 September 194410 November 1944
APA-123USS KittsonCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA22 June 19443 October 194424 November 1944
APA-124USS La GrangeCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA6 July 194417 October 19448 December 1944
APA-125USS LanierCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA20 July 194431 October 194422 December 1944
APA-126USS St. Mary'sCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA3 August 194414 November 19445 January 1945
APA-127USS AllendaleCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA1 July 19449 September 194422 November 1944
APA-128USS ArenacKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA15 August 194428 November 194418 January 1945
APA-129USS Marvin H. McIntyreCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA17 August 194430 November 194420 January 1945
APA-130USS AttalaKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA29 August 194412 December 19443 February 1945
APA-131USS BanderaKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA12 September 194426 December 194417 February 1945
APA-132USS BarnwellKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA26 September 19449 January 19453 March 1945
APA-133USS BeckhamKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA10 October 194423 January 194517 March 1945
APA-134USS BlandKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA24 October 19446 February 194531 March 1945
APA-135USS BosqueKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA7 November 194420 February 194514 April 1945
APA-136USS BotetourtKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA21 November 19446 March 194528 April 1945
APA-137USS BowieOregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, OR4 September 194418 November 19448 January 1945
APA-138USS BraxtonOregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, OR18 September 19442 December 194422 January 1945
APA-139USS BroadwaterCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA1 September 19445 November 19442 January 1945
APA-140USS BrookingsCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA15 September 194419 November 194416 January 1945
APA-141USS BuckinghamCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA29 September 19443 December 194430 January 1945
APA-142USS ClearfieldCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA13 October 194416 December 194413 February 1945
APA-143USS ClermontCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA27 October 194430 December 194427 February 1945
APA-144USS ClintonCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA10 November 194413 January 194513 March 1945
APA-145USS ColbertCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA24 November 194427 January 194527 March 1945
APA-146USS CollingsworthCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA8 December 194410 February 194510 April 1945
APA-147USS CottleCalifornia Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA22 December 194424 February 194524 April 1945
APA-148USS CrockettKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA5 October 194428 November 194418 January 1945
APA-149USS AudubonPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA21 October 19443 December 194417 February 1945
APA-150USS BergenPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA4 November 194416 December 19443 March 1945
APA-151USS La PortePermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA18 November 194430 December 194417 March 1945
APA-152USS LatimerPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA2 December 194413 January 194531 March 1945
APA-153USS LaurensPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA16 December 194427 January 194514 April 1945
APA-154USS LowndesOregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, OR2 October 194416 December 19446 February 1945
APA-155USS LycomingPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA30 December 194410 February 194528 April 1945
APA-156USS MellettePermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA13 January 194524 February 194512 May 1945
APA-157USS NapaPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA27 January 194510 March 194526 May 1945
APA-158USS NewberryPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA10 February 194524 March 19459 June 1945
APA-159USS DarkeKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA28 November 194421 January 194511 March 1945
APA-160USS DeuelKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA12 December 19447 February 194525 March 1945
APA-161USS DickensKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA26 December 194421 February 19458 April 1945
APA-162USS DrewKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA9 January 19457 March 194522 April 1945
APA-163USS EastlandKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA23 January 194521 March 19456 May 1945
APA-164USS EdgecombeKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA6 February 19454 April 194520 May 1945
APA-165USS EffinghamKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA20 February 194518 April 19453 June 1945
APA-166USS Fond du LacKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA6 March 19452 May 194517 June 1945
APA-167USS FreestoneKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA20 March 194516 May 19451 July 1945
APA-168USS GageKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA3 April 194530 May 194515 July 1945
APA-169USS GallatinKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA17 April 194513 June 194529 July 1945
APA-170USS GosperKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA1 May 194527 June 194512 August 1945
APA-171USS GranvilleKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA15 May 194511 July 194526 August 1945
APA-172USS GrimesKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA29 May 194525 July 19459 September 1945
APA-173USS HydeKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA12 June 19458 August 194523 September 1945
APA-174USS JerauldKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA26 June 194522 August 19457 October 1945
APA-175USS KarnesKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA10 July 19455 September 194521 October 1945
APA-176USS KershawKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA24 July 194519 September 19454 November 1945
APA-177USS KingsburyKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA7 August 19453 October 194518 November 1945
APA-178USS LanderKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA21 August 194517 October 19452 December 1945
APA-179USS LauderdaleKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA4 September 194531 October 194516 December 1945
APA-180USS LavacaKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA18 September 194514 November 194530 December 1945
APA-181 to APA-186CancelledVarious1944-1945--
APA-187USS OcontoPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA17 April 194529 June 194513 August 1945
APA-188USS OlmstedPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA1 May 194513 July 194527 August 1945
APA-189USS OxfordPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA15 May 194527 July 194510 September 1945
APA-190USS PickensPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA29 May 194510 August 194524 September 1945
APA-191USS PonderaPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA12 June 194524 August 19458 October 1945
APA-192USS RutlandPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA26 June 19457 September 194522 October 1945
APA-193USS SanbornPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA10 July 194521 September 19455 November 1945
APA-194USS SandovalPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA24 July 19455 October 194519 November 1945
APA-195USS LenaweePermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA7 August 194519 October 19453 December 1945
APA-196USS LoganPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA21 August 19452 November 194517 December 1945
APA-197USS LubbockPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA4 September 194516 November 194531 December 1945
APA-198USS McCrackenPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA18 September 194530 November 194514 January 1946
APA-199USS MagoffinPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA2 October 194514 December 194528 January 1946
APA-200USS MarathonPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA16 October 194528 December 194511 February 1946
APA-201USS MenardPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA30 October 194511 January 194625 February 1946
APA-202USS MenifeePermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA13 November 194525 January 194611 March 1946
APA-203USS MeriwetherPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA27 November 19458 February 194625 March 1946
APA-204USS SarasotaPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA11 December 194522 February 19468 April 1946
APA-205USS SherburnePermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA25 December 19458 March 194622 April 1946
APA-206USS SibleyPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA8 January 194622 March 19466 May 1946
APA-207USS MifflinPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA22 January 19465 April 194620 May 1946
APA-208USS TalladegaPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA5 February 194619 April 19463 June 1946
APA-209USS TazewellPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA19 February 19463 May 194617 June 1946
APA-210USS TelfairPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA5 March 194617 May 19461 July 1946
APA-211USS MissoulaPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA19 March 194631 May 194615 July 1946
APA-212USS MontrosePermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA2 April 194614 June 194629 July 1946
APA-213USS MountrailPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA16 April 194628 June 194612 August 1946
APA-214USS NatronaPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA30 April 194612 July 194626 August 1946
APA-215USS NavarroPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA14 May 194626 July 19469 September 1946
APA-216USS NeshobaPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA28 May 19469 August 194623 September 1946
APA-217USS New KentPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA11 June 194623 August 19467 October 1946
APA-218USS NoblePermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA25 June 19466 September 194621 October 1946
APA-219USS OkaloosaPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA9 July 194620 September 19464 November 1946
APA-220USS OkanoganPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA23 July 19464 October 194618 November 1946
APA-221USS OneidaPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA6 August 194618 October 19462 December 1946
APA-222USS PickawayPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA20 August 19461 November 194616 December 1946
APA-223USS PittPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA8 September 194410 November 194411 December 1944
APA-224USS RandallPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA19 November 19449 December 19441 April 1945
APA-225USS BinghamOregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, OR4 October 194418 December 194411 March 1945
APA-226USS RawlinsKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA18 October 194425 October 194411 November 1944
APA-227USS RenvilleKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA19 August 194425 October 19443 February 1945
APA-228USS RockbridgeOregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, OR15 November 194429 January 194522 April 1945
APA-229USS RockinghamOregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, OR29 November 194412 February 19456 May 1945
APA-230USS RockwallOregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, OR13 December 194426 February 194520 May 1945
APA-231USS Saint CroixOregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, OR27 December 194412 March 19453 June 1945
APA-232USS San SabaOregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, OR10 January 194526 March 194517 June 1945
APA-233USS SevierOregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, OR24 January 19459 April 19451 July 1945
APA-234USS BollingerOregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, OR7 February 194523 April 194515 July 1945
APA-235USS BottineauKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA21 February 19457 April 194529 July 1945
APA-236USS BronxKaiser Ship Corp., Vancouver, WA7 March 194521 April 194512 August 1945
APA-237USS BexarPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA28 March 19455 May 194526 August 1945
APA-238USS DanePermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA11 April 194519 May 19459 September 1945
APA-239USS GlynnPermanente Metals Corp., Richmond, CA25 April 19452 June 194523 September 1945

Losses and Decommissioning

None of the Haskell-class attack transports were sunk during , but at least 15 ships sustained damage from enemy action, primarily attacks in the Pacific Theater. For instance, USS La Grange (APA-124) was struck by two planes on 13 August 1945 while anchored in Buckner Bay, Okinawa, resulting in 21 sailors killed and 89 wounded; the impacts caused significant structural damage to the superstructure and kingpost, but repairs were completed after the cessation of hostilities on 15 August, allowing the ship to depart on 6 September 1945 for stateside overhaul. Similarly, USS Hinsdale (APA-120) suffered a direct hit on 1 off Okinawa, killing over 15 crewmen and severely damaging the ; the ship underwent extensive repairs before returning to duty. USS Telfair (APA-210) was damaged by near-misses from three aircraft on 2 near Okinawa, with shrapnel and blast effects requiring repairs at from 30 April to 22 May 1945, after which she proceeded to for further work. Following the war, the majority of the Haskell-class ships were decommissioned and placed in reserve fleets in 1946, with over 100 mothballed in berthing areas such as , , and others in Pacific facilities to form part of the inactive reserve. A number were reactivated in the for service during the and other operations, such as USS Latimer (APA-152), which recommissioned on 23 September 1950 after reserve status, before subsequent decommissioning in the 1960s and 1970s as needs evolved. Disposal of the class occurred primarily through scrapping contracts in the 1970s, with numerous vessels sold to Union Minerals & Alloys Corporation between 1973 and 1975; examples include USS Bosque (APA-135), sold on 9 April 1973, and USS Highlands (APA-119), sold on the same date for $111,560. The last surviving Haskell-class ship, USS Gage (APA-168), was stricken in 1958 and remained in the Maritime Administration's James River Reserve Fleet until sold for scrapping in 2009, towed to , for demolition. No Haskell-class ships have been fully preserved as museums, though components from decommissioned vessels have occasionally been repurposed for naval memorials and historical displays.

Legacy

Conversions and Reuse

Several Haskell-class attack transports underwent modifications for specialized military roles after , leveraging their durable designs for extended service. One prominent example is the conversion of USS Sherburne (APA-205) into the missile range instrumentation ship USNS Range Sentinel (T-AGM-22). Acquired from the in 1969 and converted at the Todd Shipyards in , the vessel was placed in service on 21 October 1971 to support missile testing on the Atlantic and Pacific ranges, equipped with and antennas for tracking purposes. She operated under the until her deactivation on 1 October 1993, demonstrating the class's adaptability for technical requirements. Other ships saw limited adaptations as auxiliary vessels, including use as barracks ships or stationary training platforms during the and , though specific examples are sparsely documented. For instance, some vessels were temporarily moored at naval bases to personnel during fleet expansions, capitalizing on their large troop accommodations without major structural changes. These roles extended their utility before full decommissioning, avoiding immediate scrapping costs estimated at around $100,000 per hull in the late . Transfers to allied navies provided further reuse opportunities. USS Noble (APA-218), decommissioned in 1964, was transferred to Spain under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program and recommissioned as Aragón (TA-11), serving as an amphibious and until stricken in 1988. Similar transfers occurred with possibly a few other class members to partners, though detailed records of their foreign service remain incomplete due to limited declassification and archival gaps. For example, one Haskell-class ship was repurposed through such an international agreement by the 1970s, offering economic benefits over new construction amid post-war budget constraints. The former USS Gage (APA-168) remains the only surviving example in its original configuration, used as a after decommissioning.

Cultural Depictions

The Haskell-class attack transports have appeared in depictions of naval operations, particularly in film portrayals of amphibious assaults in the Pacific. The 1956 Universal-International film , directed by Joseph Pevney and based on Kenneth M. Dodson's 1954 novel of the same name, dramatizes life aboard an attack transport during campaigns such as and Okinawa. The production utilized actual Haskell-class vessels, including the USS Randall (APA-224) for principal filming and the USS Sanborn (APA-193) for additional scenes, to authentically recreate the loading of troops, launching of , and combat support roles typical of the class. Specific Haskell-class ships have been referenced in documentaries focusing on key Pacific battles, such as the campaign, where vessels like the (APA-117) and USS Duval County (APA-148) supported the landings by transporting and delivering shore bombardment. For instance, archival footage and narratives in productions like the 2005 History Channel documentary series Pacific: The Lost Evidence, in its episode on , highlight the role of these transports in the February 1945 invasion, emphasizing their contribution to the amphibious doctrine that enabled the island's capture. In historiographical works, the Haskell class features prominently in analyses of U.S. naval strategy during the war's final phases. Samuel Eliot Morison's multi-volume History of United States Naval Operations in World War II (1947–1962) details their involvement in operations like the Philippines campaign and Okinawa, crediting the class's rapid production and versatility for bolstering the fleet's amphibious capabilities and contributing to Allied victory in the Pacific. Modern studies of amphibious warfare, such as those in the U.S. Naval Institute's Proceedings, further examine the Haskell class as a benchmark for mass-produced assault ships, noting their influence on post-war designs despite limitations in armor and speed. Memorials and commemorations honoring Haskell-class service are primarily localized through veteran associations and ship-specific tributes, often integrated into broader World War II exhibits rather than dedicated museums. Plaques and reunions organized by groups like the USS Randall Association commemorate crew experiences, while exhibits at sites such as the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas, reference the class's role in Pacific logistics without standalone displays. No comprehensive museum exists solely for the Haskell class, reflecting their status as a late-war, high-volume production. The class's cultural footprint remains limited in popular media, attributable to its entry into service in mid-1944, which positioned it after many iconic early-war narratives. As of 2025, ongoing efforts by the provide expanded access to logs, photos, and oral histories via online archives, potentially inspiring future depictions in and simulations.

References

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