USAT Fred C Ainsworth
From Our Contribution
 US Navy photo NH 97208 | |
 While in naval service. US Navy photo | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | USAT Fred C. Ainsworth |
| Owner | United States Army |
| Builder | Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi |
| Launched | June 1943 |
| Completed | June 1943 |
| Out of service | 26 Jun 1973 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 12,093 tons |
| Length | 149m |
| Beam | 21m |
| Depth | 8.33m |
| Propulsion | Steam turbine single prop. |
| Speed | 16.5 knots |
| Capacity | Crew and 1,976 troops |
Contents
Remarks
The ship was originally laid down as SS Pass Christian by Ingalls Shipbuilding at Pascagoula, Mississippi, and completed in June 1943. She was transferred to the Army, and renamed USAT Fred C. Ainsworth.
The transport ship mainly operated in the Pacific Ocean, except for one brief troop transport operation to Europe mid 1945 when she relocated troops to the Pacific. At the end of World War II, troop transports where no longer needed so the Fred C. Ainsworth was once again transferred to another department and was officially named the USNS Fred C. Ainsworth (T-AP-181). She was later adapted to carry war brides and dependants. On March 1 of 1950 the transport ship became a water transport vessel for the Army, sailing for the Military Sea Transport Service.
The ship served actively on troop transportation duties through the 1950s, including trans-Pacific operations during the Korean War when it was known as USNS Fred C Ainsworth (T-AP-181). She participated in several Korean War operations including the Inchon landings. Fred C. Ainsworth was transferred to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) on 2 November 1959, after which she was laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet. Her title was formally transferred to MARAD on 1 November 1960, and she was struck from the Naval Vessel Register 1 July 1961. On 1 March 1973 she was sold for scrap, but the deal was cancelled due to buyer default. Instead, she was sold for non-operational use to Inter-Ocean Grain Storage Ltd on 26 June 1973, and physically removed from the Reserve Fleet 23 August. Her final disposition is unknown.