Hospital Ships of World War II: An Illustrated Reference to 39 United States Military Vessels

by Emory A. Massman

Overview

The first U.S. hospital ship of World War II saw service in mid-1943. By war's end, the fleet had carried nearly 17,000 sick and wounded home.

This richly illustrated work covers all 39 ships that served as U.S. Navy and Army hospital ships during World War II. Each ship's history is fully covered, concentrating on the ship's hospital service. Information is presented on each ship's personnel, the handling of patients, types of wounds and diseases encountered, and life aboard the ships. General layouts of the ships and technical data are also included. Biographies are provided on persons for whom ships were named.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786432554
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	10/22/2007
Pages:	509
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 10.00(h) x 1.40(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Emory A. Massman rose to chief mate serving on three liberty ships during World War II. He lives in Ellenton, Florida.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Preface     
Introduction     

1. Some Background on Early Hospital Ships     
2. Eight Former East Coast Passenger Vessels     
3. Five Former Transoceanic Passenger Vessels     
4. Two Former Freighters     
5. Six Converted Liberty Ships      
6. Three Former Troopships     
7. One Vessel Designed and Built as a Hospital Ship      
8. Two Former East Coast Passenger Vessels     
9. One Former Transoceanic Passenger Vessel      
10. Two Former Troopships      
11. Three C1 Freighter Hulls Completed as Hospital Ships      
12. Six C4 Freighter Hulls Completed as Hospital Ships     

Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

A very good account.... Written in an easy to read style...comprehensive...this work is a fine addition to the collection of naval and nautical history.”—Sea Waves Magazine; “provides extensive information about each of the 39 ships that served in the U.S. Army or Navy during the war...numerous excellent photographs of the vessels and their crews in action...well-written and informative...extensive index...a useful addition”—ARBA; “a unique insight into the rarely explored subject of hospital ships...enjoyable...a valuable, if not essential, addition to any World War II library...highly recommend[ed]”—Nautical Research Journal; “the author has correctly positioned the Hospital Ships as a key part of America’s greatest maritime effort...recommend[ed]”—Kings Pointer; “comprehensive...detailing most all there is to know about [American hospital ships]...a tremendous amount of information from a wide variety of sources...[Massman] has unearthed a wealth of detail”—Stone & Stone Second World War Books; “Massman provides a very thorough explanation of each ship’s pre-conversion history, hospital ship activities and missions, and ultimate fate...fascinating...a multitude of information...a must read”—Navy Medicine.

From the Publisher

Christened with names like , , , and , former US passenger vessels, freighters, and converted liberty ships as well as Navy ships served in World War II as hospital ships. A retired seaman and professional ship modeler traces the history and voyages of these floating hospitals, as descendants of earlier US ships serving injured and sick soldiers. Such "protected" ships were not immune from enemy attack, as evidenced by the volume's dedication to the staff and patients of the USS killed in a kamikaze attack. Of the 39 ships, only the still exists. Illustrations feature the ships, their commissioning documents, deck plans, namesakes, personnel, wards, and visiting celebrities. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

the author has correctly positioned the Hospital Ships as a key part of America's greatest maritime effort...recommend[ed]

Kings Pointer

a unique insight into the rarely explored subject of hospital ships...enjoyable...a valuable, if not essential, addition to any World War II library...highly recommend[ed]

Nautical Research Journal

provides extensive information about each of the 39 ships that served in the U.S. Army or Navy during the war...numerous excellent photographs of the vessels and their crews in action...well-written and informative...extensive index...a useful addition

ARBA