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==Remarks==
 
==Remarks==
Built as a Passenger Liner for the Matson Navigation Company, she was originally named the ''SS Matsonia'', and served during WW1 (1918-19) as a troopship with that name under the control of the US Navy. She made six round trips to Europe from the US before the Armistice, and after the Armistice made eight journeys returning US troops to America. Decommissioned in September 1919, she was returned to her owners.  
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Built as a Passenger Liner for the Matson Navigation Company, she was originally named the ''SS Matsonia'', and served during WW1 (22 Jan 1918 - 12 Sep 1919) as a troopship with that name under the control of the US Navy. On 14 Mar 1918, when she sailed for France with troops and Army cargo, and the ''Matsonia'' went on to complete six round trips to Europe prior to the Armistice, fitted out to carry 3,000 troops. During her second trip east with troops the convoy was attacked by a German U-boat that was sunk about 800 meters from the Matsonia.  During the six trips she transferred 13,329 passengers to Europe, and carried back only 10. After the Armistice she continued her transatlantic crossings to return over 23,000 troops in 8 voyages, disembarking them at New York, with her last voyage concluded on 20 Aug 1919. Decommissioned in September 1919, she was returned to her owners on 17 Sep 1919.  
  
  
In March 1937 she was sold to Alaska Packers of San Francisco, and renamed ''SS Etolin''.  Shortly before the war, she was chartered by the US Army and sailed as ''USAT Etolin. An early voyage saw her transport Latin Americans to the US for Internment. Her service during WW2 (August 1940 - April 46) was as an Army Troop Transport. From July 1943 until the end of the war she operated in the Pacific theatre.  
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In March 1937 she was sold to Alaska Packers of San Francisco, and renamed ''SS Etolin''.  In August 1940 she was chartered by the US Army, becoming ''USAT Etolin''. Some records make reference to an early voyage that saw her transport Latin Americans to the US for Internment. Her service during WW2 (August 1940 - April 1946) was as an Army Troop Transport and from July 1943 until the end of the war she operated in the Pacific theatre.  
  
  
Turned over to the War Shipping Administration in April 1946, the ship was laid up in the James River, before being scrapped at Baltimore in 1957. Armament: Four 6" mounts, two 1-pounders, and two machine guns.
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Turned over to the War Shipping Administration on 28 Apr 1946, the ship was laid up in the James River, before being scrapped at Baltimore in 1957. Armament: Four 6" (150mm) mounts, two 1-pounders, and two machine guns.
  
 
==Soldiers carried==
 
==Soldiers carried==

Latest revision as of 00:24, 14 September 2023

USAT Etolin
USAT Etolin.jpg
USAT Etolin entering New York with troops 1919 while named USS Matsonia
USAT Etolin 1.jpg
c1946
History
Name USAT Etolin
Owner Matson Navigation Company
Builder Newport News Ship Building Company
Launched 1913
Fate scrapped in 1957
General characteristics
Type Passenger Liner
Tonnage 16,800 tons
Length Length 501' 4" (152.81m)
Beam Beam 58' 1" (17.70m)
Depth Draft 29' (8.84m)
Propulsion single screw
Speed 17 knots (31.49 km/h)
Capacity 72 crew



Remarks

Built as a Passenger Liner for the Matson Navigation Company, she was originally named the SS Matsonia, and served during WW1 (22 Jan 1918 - 12 Sep 1919) as a troopship with that name under the control of the US Navy. On 14 Mar 1918, when she sailed for France with troops and Army cargo, and the Matsonia went on to complete six round trips to Europe prior to the Armistice, fitted out to carry 3,000 troops. During her second trip east with troops the convoy was attacked by a German U-boat that was sunk about 800 meters from the Matsonia. During the six trips she transferred 13,329 passengers to Europe, and carried back only 10. After the Armistice she continued her transatlantic crossings to return over 23,000 troops in 8 voyages, disembarking them at New York, with her last voyage concluded on 20 Aug 1919. Decommissioned in September 1919, she was returned to her owners on 17 Sep 1919.


In March 1937 she was sold to Alaska Packers of San Francisco, and renamed SS Etolin. In August 1940 she was chartered by the US Army, becoming USAT Etolin. Some records make reference to an early voyage that saw her transport Latin Americans to the US for Internment. Her service during WW2 (August 1940 - April 1946) was as an Army Troop Transport and from July 1943 until the end of the war she operated in the Pacific theatre.


Turned over to the War Shipping Administration on 28 Apr 1946, the ship was laid up in the James River, before being scrapped at Baltimore in 1957. Armament: Four 6" (150mm) mounts, two 1-pounders, and two machine guns.

Soldiers carried

Port Moresby to Brisbane 18 - 22 Feb 1944