YEAR OF 1945
A rapidly increasing need for more hospital ships during the final months of the Japanese conquest produced the USS CONSOLATION (AH-15) as one of six "floating hospitals" known as the "HAVEN Class". Their ingenious construction, a tribute to modern medical design and equipment, marked the first time in history that the Navy had a class of hospital ships. Other hospital ships in the "HAVEN CLASS" were: USS HAVEN (AH-12), USS BENEVOLENCE (AH-13). USS TRANQUILITY (AH-13), USS REPOSE (AH-16) and USS SANCTURARY (AH-17)
There were permanent wards for 786 patients - 660 enlisted men and a total of 126 Sick Officers Quarters. The number of beds, however, could be expanded to handle far greater numbers whenever the need arose.
Each ship displaced 15,000 tons, had 7 decks and an overall length of 520 feet. The beam was 71 feet 6 inches. Each also had a speed of 18 1/2 knots and a cruising range of 12,000 miles at that speed.
Built by the Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Chester, Pennsylvania under Maritime Commission contract MC-2573, The USS CONSOLATION was a C4-S-B2 type hull. Delivery to the US Navy in a partial state of completion occurred on 30 August 1944, whereupon, the hull was towed to Hoboken, New Jersey for conversion to a hospital ship by the Shipbuilding Division of Bethlehem Steel Company. Leaving Chester, Pennsylvania on 1 September 1944, she reached Hoboken on 3 September 1944, and conversion was started on once.
1-15-45 - The prospective Commanding Officer, Philip C. Beck, Captain (DM) USNR, reported for duty.
The precommissioning training for the crew took place in Newport, Rhode Island.
4-12-45 - President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died.
4-20-45 - Captain Beck received orders from BuPers to proceed to Washington, D.C., on additional temporary duty in connection with a selection board. He was temporarily relieved as PCO and CO, when commissioned, by Commander P. S. Tambling, USN.
5-11-45 - The crew from Newport, Rhode Island to Pier 92 in New York City aboard an APA SITKA. The crew stayed on Pier 92 for nine days. During this stay the crew was taken by bus by the Red Cross to North Shore Red Cross facility on Long Island for a welcome and good bye party.
5-22-45 - Conversion was complete and the vessel placed in commission at 1100 that date by Captain H. V. McKettrick, USN, representative of the Commandant, Navy Yard, New York. The ship was then turned over to Lieut E. L. Gilbert (EM), USNR, was Chief Engineer.
Medical spaces were under the supervision of Captain Lloyd R. Newhouser, (MC), USN, Senior Medical Officer.
The entire commissioning personnel consisted of 21 Ship's Officers, 19 Medical Officers,, 3 Dental Officers, 5 Hospital Corps Officers, 30 Nurses, 2 Red Cross Workers from the North Shore Red Cross, 246 Hospital Corpsmen, and 293 Enlisted Men.
On the afternoon of commissioning day the ship moved from Pier 1, Bethlehem Steel Shipyards, Hoboken,, New Jersey to 33rd Street Pier, Brooklyn, New York and remained there for a five-day period during which time stores and provisions were taken aboard.
5-27-45 - In preparation for a three-day sea trial period, moved the deperming station, Bayonne, New Jersey.
5-28-45 - Departed for Long Island Sound area via the East River and Hell gate.
5-30-45 - Sea trials terminated and returned to Pier 33, Brooklyn, New York where provisioning continued.
6-2-45 - Departed Brooklyn.
6-3-45 - Arrived at Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia where temporary Commanding Officer, P.S. Tambling reported to Commander Auxiliary Vessel Shakedown Group. The ship had traveled 312 miles at average speed of 12.3 knots.
6-5-45 - Departed for Chesapeake Bay waters for shakedown which did not differ any important particular from that of any other auxiliary vessel with the exception of intensive drill in the technique of embarking the disembarking casualties with sand dummies as patients into and from LCVP's and lifeboats. Drills stressed various methods of embarking such as hoisting boats to deck level by Welin davits and taking stretcher patients aboard by means of power-operated multiple-litter hoists, capable of raising 500 pounds at a speed of 150 feet a minute.
6-18-45 - Shakedown completed and post-shakedown Navy Yard availability began in the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia during which time Captain P.G. Beck resumed his duties as Commanding Officer.
7-1-45 - Moved to the Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia to effect additional repairs and alterations.
7-13-45 - One day of sea trials.
7-14-45 - Departed Norfolk for Cristobal, Canal Zone.
7-20-45 - Arrived Cristobal, Canal Zone having traveled 1897 miles at an average speed of 13.7 knots and then passed through the Panama Canal to Balboa with an elapsed time of seven hours sixteen minutes.
7-21-45 - In compliance with further routing by CincPac, departed for Pearl Harbor, T.H.
8-4-45 - Arrived in Pearl Harbor having followed an approximate great circle course traveling 4,745 miles averaging 14 knots.
8-6-45 - First atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
8-9-45 - Second atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki.
8-14-45 - Japanese surrendered and General MacArthur appointed Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.
8-14-45 - Departed for Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands Group by direction of ComSerPac.
8-17-45 - Radio dispatch orders directed diversion to Okinawa via Guam.
Crossed the international dateline (180th meridian. All low life lizards who had not been inducted into the Silent Mysteries of the Far East were summoned before the court of the Golden Dragon. The Golden Dragon (Captain Beck) acting on behalf of Davy Jones conducted the initiation.
8-24-45 - Arrived in Guam, but because there were no orders pending, did not stop and continued to Okinawa.
8-28-45 - Arrived in Buckner Bay, Okinawa having traveled 4,778 miles from Pearl Harbor at average speed of 14.1 knots.
9-2-45 - Surrender agreement signed aboard the USS MISSOURI in Tokyo Bay.
9-7-45 - ComBatron One secret operation order 6-45 received to assist in the evacuation of prisoners-of-war from the Japanese homeland.
9-9-45 - Departed enroute to Wakayama on the Island of Honshu, Japan, as a component of Task Unit 56.5.2 commanded by Rear Admiral R.S. Riggs aboard the USS MONTILIER (CL-57). A Jeep had been appropriated, hoisted aboard and painted hospital white with a red cross.
9-11-45 - Anchored in Wakanoura Wan approximately 1 1/4 miles off-shore form the Japanese village, Dejima.
9-12-45 - Exploration of the situation at this village on shore began with a view toward setting up facilities for the reception of Allied ex-prisoners-of-war.
A large hotel was taken over by the Medical Department personnel of the USS SANCTUARY (AH-16) and equipped for the screening of ambulatory patients. The Medical Department personnel of the USS CONSOLATION established its center for the reception of the more seriously ill in a steamship ticket office adjacent to the pier.
All former prisoners brought to Wakayama arrived in 5 trains from the interior of Japan between the hours of 2230 on 14 September and 0815 on 15 September. Transportation from the bomb-scarred Wakayama railroad station to the beach at Dejima, about five miles distance, was provided by Japanese ambulances, trucks and streetcars. Medical Officers, Nurses, Corpsmen and representatives of the Red Cross met each train and directed the unloading. All former prisoners were taken directly to the Consolation's field hospital on the beach. Those requiring transportation by stretcher and others who appeared to be seriously ill were treated at the field unit, while the ambulatory cases were sent directly to the SANCTUARY's reception center in the hotel.
In the CONSOLATION's beach hospital, all former prisoners were stripped of their clothing. Valuables and clothing worth saving were tagged and placed in bags for sterilization aboard the ship. Each man was then given a bed bath or shower and thoroughly sprayed with DDT powder. Following a careful medical examination, new clothing was issued and hospital tickets prepared. Patients were then sent directly to the hospital ship by stretcher via LCVP ambulance boats.
During the first day, all men requiring medical care were transported to the USS SANCTUARY. By early morning of the 15th of September, however, patients began arriving on board the USS CONSOLATION and were admitted throughout most of the day. By 1400, the last of the ex-prisoners-of-war were hospitalized aboard. Records reveal that a total of 1062 repatriated Allied nationals, separated into the following categories were admitted:
US Marine 6Australian Army 246
US Army 192Australian Navy 4
US Civilian 1Netherlands Army 9
British Navy 2
As the number of patients exceeded the CONSOLATION's normal capacity by about 300, cots were set up in available places throughout the Medical Departments' spaces.
While the conditions of the former prisoners varied, most men suffered from some degree of malnutrition, and the majority also had evidence of beri-beri. There were many with severe beri-beri characterized by peripheral neuritis, edema, enlargement of the liver and not infrequently, cardiac insufficiency. Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed in numerous cases the presence of degeneration of the optic nerve.
Examinations were made of the stools and parasites of the intestines. Ascaris, a round worm, was found in most of the specimens. Other types of illnesses found were furuncles and ulcers, signs of chronic bronchitis and respiratory infections which were common. The number of cases of tuberculosis found were negligible.
Psychologically, the men were in excellent condition displaying both patience and gratefulness. Usually their descriptions of horrible experiences were characterized by a tendency toward understatement.
With proper medical and nursing care, good food and supplementary vitamins, the condition of every man improved strikingly during their stay which was clearly evidenced by the remarkable rise of their already good morale.
9-16,17-45 - The movement of the ex-prisoners was delayed by typhoon warnings received that canceled sailing orders. The ship was ordered to assume a state of readiness permitting the possibility of getting underway on one-half hour's notice. By 1200 on the 17th, a plot of storm warnings left little or no doubt that the storm center would pass within 100 miles of Wakayama. Reaching its severest intensity between 2400 and 0200 the night of the 17th, the wind approximated 76 knots accompanied by a minimum barometer reading of 28.82.
9-18-45 - Suffering no damage nor casualties, the USS CONSOLATION stood out to sea at 1300 enroute to Buckner Bay, Okinawa in compliance with orders of Commander Task Unit, 56.5.2. Two days later she anchored in Buckner Bay, awaiting instructions on disposition to be made of the ex-prisoners-of-war evacuated from Japan.
9-22-45 - Debarkation of all the former prisoners to Army facilities at Okinawa began.
9-25-45 - Debarkation completed.
9-26-45 - Ship departed under orders to return to Wakayama and rejoin her task unit and function as a hospital for units of the Fifth Fleet in that area.
9-29-45 - Anchorage in Wakanoura Wan was reached.
Operating as a "floating hospital" for the Task Unit of the Fifth Fleet, the USS CONSOLATION predominated in medical consultation activities as well as treating emergency cases. The ship' excellent equipment for diagnosis was put at the disposal of Medical Officers and Pharmacist Mates of other ships.
Frequent and regular warnings of an intense storm center in the nature of a typhoon sweeping over the Okinawa area and re-curving to strike the Empire Island of Honshu were received.
10-9-45 - With ComPhib Group Eight's decision to place the Typhoon Bill into effect, the Consolation proceeded to its typhoon anchorage in outer Wakanoura Wan to await storm developments. Fortunately the storm center did not pass as near as had the typhoon experienced to the previous month. Yet, this typhoon was by far more destructive to ships and installations of the US Forces. Damage and destruction was extensive, and with accompanying loss of life and injury to personnel, was centered on Okinawa.
10-11-45 - Departed for Buckner Bay, Okinawa to aid injured personnel and patients ashore who were without shelter at an average speed of 16.7 knots.
10-13-45 - Anchored in Buckner Bay.
Okinawa Shima had experienced to the worst of the storm on the 9th, affording military authorities four days before the CONSOLATION's arrival to initiate relief measures. Air evacuation of patients played a predominant role prior to her reaching Okinawa, however, a few score men injured during the typhoon were embarked from ships in the harbor and commands ashore. Pending movement of the Eighth Amphibious Group to Nagoya, Japan, in which the CONSOLATION was to participate, she remained in Buckner Bay providing medical consultations and treatment.
10-24-45 - Departed for Nagoya, Japan
10-26-45 - Arrived and anchored in Ise Wan of Nagoya having steamed 752.6 miles at average speed of 14.8 knots to join with the amphibious forces.
10-27-45 - Anchor was weighed and mooring made to buoys in Nagoya's inner harbor where her function was that of providing medical service to Fifth Fleet Units in the vicinity as well as all shore activities.
11-3-45 - Stood to sea to proceed to Okinawa to take part in US Navy's Operation "Magic Carpet".
11-5-45 - Anchored in vicinity of Brown Beach, Buckner Bay to embark patients for transportation to the United States.
11-9-45 - Sailed for the United States with a total of 754 patients and passengers aboard.
11-10-45 - By CincPac dispatch the CONSOLATION's designation was temporarily changed from AH-15 to APH-115.
11-23-45 - Arrived in San Francisco. In accordance with new designation, the Medical Department personnel were reduced to 5 Medical Officers, 2 Dental Officers, 2 Hospital Corps Officers, 7 Nurse Corps Officers and 62 Hospital Corpsmen. Patient spaces were cleared of Medical Department property insofar as possible, for the transportation of passengers. The Isolation Wards and certain rooms in Sick Officer's Quarters were reserved for the care of patients.
12-5-45 - Sailed for Honolulu, T.H. with a total of 95 passengers aboard.
12-11-45 - Docked in Honolulu, T.H.
12-12-45 - Departed for San Francisco with 46 patients and 518 passengers.
12-18-45 - Arrived in San Francisco.
12-22-45 - Departed for Pearl Harbor, T.H. with 106 passengers aboard.
12-28-45 - Arrived in Pearl Harbor, T.H.
12-29-45 - Departed for San Francisco with 421 passengers, including WAVES, female Marines, USO, ARC and civilians, aboard.
At years end the CONSOLATION was at sea enroute to San Francisco, California.
YEAR OF 1946
The CONSOLATION began the new year at sea enroute from Pearl Harbor to San Francisco, California.
1-4-46 - Arrived in San Francisco.
1-5-46 - To Mare Island for repairs.
1-12-46 - Set sail for Pearl Harbor, but developed engine trouble and returned to San Francisco.
1-13-46 - Returned to Mare Island.
1-18-46 - Departed for Pearl Harbor with passengers and an Admiral.
1-24-46 - Arrived in Pearl Harbor.
1-25-46 - Received word that after departing from San Francisco the ship would go to Balboa for further assignment.
1-28-46 - Departed for San Francisco with 181 patients and a few hundred Navy enlisted personnel.
2-2-46 - Received word that Norfolk, Virginia will be home yard.
2-3-46 - Arrived in San Francisco completing the CONSOLATION's participation in Operation "Magic Carpet".
2-14-46 - Departed for Balboa, C.Z. Mailing address will be APO, N.Y.
2-24-46 - Arrived in Balboa. Dispatch orders to proceed to Norfolk.
2-26-46 - Departed for Norfolk.
3-3-46 - Arrived in Norfolk.
3-25-46 - Departed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba with orders to service the 8th Fleet in the Caribbean area for maneuvers.
Received dispatch from CNO changing designation back to AH-15. Medical Officers were increased to 11, Nurses to 16, Hospital Corpsmen to 128 and other enlisted complement decreased from 319 to 271.
3-29-46 - Arrived in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
There were many consultations and treatments. Twenty-one patients were admitted from the ships.
4-22-46 - Departed for Port of Spain, Trinidad, B.W.I.
4-25-46 - Arrived in Port of Spain, Twenty-six patients were admitted to the sick list. Twenty-seven of the crew including five Hospital Corpsmen were transferred to R/S Trinidad FFT - US for separation.
5-4-46 - Departed for Guantanamo Bay.
5-7-46 - Arrived in Guantanamo Bay.
5-12-46 - Departed for San Juan, Puerto Rico.
5-14-46 - Arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
5-17-46 - Departed for Culebra, Puerto Rico. Received the remains of Denny Sidley De Lisle, AMM3 USNR from the USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT for transportation to the United States.
5-20-46 - Departed for New York.
5-24-46 - Arrived in New York. The ship tied up at Tompkinsville, Staten Island, New York and 61 patients and the body of De Lisle were transferred to the US Naval Hospital Brooklyn, New York.
5-27-46 - Twenty-six enlisted men, including seven Hospital Corpsmen, were detached for separation from service.
6-3-46 - Forty-five enlisted men, including 14 Hospital Corpsmen, 6 Line Officers, 2 Medical Officers and one Nurse were detached to separation centers.
6-4-46 - Departed for the Canal Zone with 134 passengers under CNO orders to report to COM 3 for transportation of Naval Dependents to the Canal Zone and return to New York.
6-11-46 - Arrived in Cristobal, Panama Canal Zone and disembarked the passengers.
6-13-46 - Departed for Tompkinsville with six patients and 146 passengers.
6-20-46 - Arrived in New York where patients and passengers disembarked.
During this stay six Nurses, two Medical Officers, one Line Officer and 21 enlisted men, including one Hospital Corpsmen, were detached.
6-25-46 - Departed for Bermuda and Caribbean ports with 361 passengers still in compliance with CNO orders.
6-27-46 - Arrived at Port Royal, Bermuda where 35 passengers were disembarked.
6-29-46 - Departed for San Juan, Puerto Rico.
7-2-46 - Arrived in San Juan and disembarked 180 passengers and picked up nine patients from the US Naval Hospital for transportation to the United States.
7-7-46 - Arrived in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and disembarked the remaining 146 of the original passengers.
7-9-46 - Departed for Norfolk, Virginia with 220 passengers.
7-12-46 - Arrived in Norfolk where patients and passengers were disembarked.
During this stay COMSERVLANT granted the ship a "ships' force upkeep period" from 22 July to 22 August 1946.
7-15-46 - Departed for New York.
7-16-46 - Arrived at Pier 10, Tompkinsville, Staten Island, New York to carry out the COMSERVLANT orders.
Between 7-17-46 and 8-8-46 118 enlisted men, 66 Hospital Corpsmen, two Medical Officers, one Line Officers and twelve Nurses were reassigned or transferred for separation. The ship was in an immobilized status.
8-8-46 - Dispatch received from COMSERVLANT ordering the CONSOLATION to take immediate steps to reassemble any machinery dismantled and stand by for orders to proceed to hurricane stricken area at Santo Domingo. However, it was decided that the services of the CONSOLATION were not needed. Replacements for the enlisted separatees began to report aboard.
9-5-46 - Moved to New York Naval Shipyard, New York. During this period the main feed pumps were repaired and the blowers overhauled.
Orders were received to transfer one Dental Officer, two Line Officers and all but two Medical Officers. Two Nurses rejoined the ship for temporary duty.
10-4-46 - Departed for Canal Zone with 54 first class passengers.
10-10-46 - Arrived in Cristobal, Panama Canal Zone and disembarked passengers.
10-15-46 - Departed for New York with 103 first class passengers and two enlisted patients for transfer to Naval Hospitals in the United States.
10-21-46 - Arrived at Bayonne, New Jersey and disembarked patients and passengers.
10-22-46 - Departed for Newport, Rhode Island having received orders to tie up alongside the repair ship CADMUS there.
10-23-46 - Arrived in Newport, Rhode Island and tied up alongside the CADMUS where it remained in a tender availability status and the main feed pump and sanitary and flushing systems were overhauled by the CADMUS.
11-13-46 - Departed for Tompkinsville, Staten Island, New York and arrived there the same day.
11-18-46 - Departed with 60 passengers for Norfolk, Virginia.
11-20-46 - Arrived in Norfolk, Virginia.
11-21-46 - Departed for San Juan, Puerto Rico after taking on 103 passengers.
11-25-46 - Arrived in San Juan and departed for Port of Spain, Trinidad, B.W.I. the same day after disembarking 120 passengers.
11-28-46 - Departed for Port of Spain where passengers for that port were disembarked and 50 Army enlisted men were received on board for transportation to the Canal Zone.
12-2-46 - Arrived in Cristobal, Canal Zone
12-3-46 - Departed for Guantanamo Bay after interchange of passengers.
12-5-46 - Arrived in Guantanamo Bay.
12-7-46 - Departed for Tompkinsville with a total of 116 first class passengers and 188 troop class passengers.
12-11-46 - Arrived at Tompkinsville and all passengers were disembarked.
At years end the CONSOLATION was berthed at Pier 8, Tompkinsville, Staten Island, New York.
YEAR OF 1947
The year 1947 began with the USS CONSOLATION moored at Pier 8, Tompkinsville, Staten Island, New York with the Medical Staff consisting of Captain J.M. Woodward and LTJG E.G. Edwards. The average daily patient census was five. Early in January four more Medical Officers and seven nurses reported aboard.
1-12-47 - Departed for Norfolk Virginia.
1-13-47 - Anchored in anchorage "B" berth 4, Norfolk, Virginia.
1-14-47 - Underway operating in company with the USS WYANDOT (AKA-42) and USS PAWCATUCK (AC-108) with fueling and stretcher passing drills held daily.
1-17-47 - Anchored in Hampton Roads, Norfolk, Virginia. Thirty enlisted men were received aboard as replacements for personnel previously transferred.
1-28-47 - The USS CONSOLATION had a Materiel Inspection by a five member Materiel Inspection Board headed by Captain L.M. Markham, USN and four representatives from the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery headed by Captain J. Love, (MC), USN.
2-3-47 - Departed for sortie with Task Force 29 for Spring Maneuvers.
2-7-47 - While steaming with Task Force 29, one patient was received from USS ZELLARS (DD-77) and one from USS WYANDOT (AKA-92) by stretcher transfer at sea.
2-8-47 - Steaming in group formation with Task Force 29.1 to rendezvous point with Task Force 28 during which transfer at sea drills were held with twelve ships. Six patients were received from these ships during the drills. The remains of the late C.E. Weidle, Jr., SF1 USN were received from USS PROVIDENCE (CL-82) for transportation and further transfer to Brooklyn, New York. With the replenishment exercises of Task Force 28 completed, the CONSOLATION departed Task Force 28 in the company of Task Force 29.
2-9-47 - Took on fuel from USS WACCAMAW (AO-109) during the exercises.
2-10-47 - Received a patient by stretcher transfer at sea from USS STORMES (DD-780). All transfers of patients at sea were accomplished smoothly and efficiently by high line method from the upper deck aft of frames 145, port and starboard sides. Patients were immediately transferred to wards by stretcher and accompanied by a Medical Officer.
2-12-47 - At about 1800 the USS CONSOLATION collided with the submarine USS TUSK (SS-426). TBS report received that submarine had surfaced and reported to a destroyer that it sustained a collision while submerged, damaging her "A" frame, periscope and radio antennae. No evidence of ruptured plates or salt water entering tanks of this vessel.
2-13-47 - Transfer at sea stretcher drills held with USS HOUSTON (CL-81), USS JUNEAU (CL-119), USS VOGELGESANG (DD-862), USS RANDOLPH (CV-15), USS DICKSON (DD-708), USS BEATTY (DD-756), USS MISSOURI (BB-63), USS PURDY (DD-734) and USS ELLISON (DD-864). Four patients received during these exercises.
2-14-47 - One patient received from USS STORMES (DD-780).
2-16-47 - Transfer at sea drills held with USS FOX (DD-779), USS STORMES DD-780), USS ALDEBARAN (AF-10) and USS CHUKAWAN (AO-100). Four patients received from these vessels during drills.
2-17-47 - Fuel received from USS CALOOSAHATCHER (AO-98). One patient each received from USS ZELLARS (DD-777) and USS ALDEBARAN (AF-10).
2-19-47 - Stretcher drills with USS JUNEAU (CL-119), USS NOA (DD-841), USS FARGO (CL-106), USS SPOKANE (CL-120), USS ZELLARS (DD-777), USS RANDOLPH (CV-15), USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (CVB-42) and USS NEW (DD-818). Five patients were received.
2-22-47 - Patients received from USS STORMES (DD-780) and USS ZELLARS (DD-777) by stretcher transfer at sea.
2-24-47 - Patient received from USS MASSEY (DD-778).
2-26-47 - Transfer at sea stretcher drills held with USS JUNEAU (CL-119), USS FARGO (CL-106), USS MISSOURI (BB-63), USS HOUSTON (CL-81), USS RANDOLPH (CV-15), USS HUNTINGTON (CL-107) and USS MASSEY (DD-778). Two patients were received. Following these exercises, the USS CONSOLATION proceeded independently for Port of Spain, Trinidad, B.W.I.
2-28-47 - The USS CONSOLATION anchored in Carenage Bay, Trinidad, B.W.I. for liberty and recreation.
3-7-47 - Departed in company with USS WACCAMAW (AO-109) for Virgin Islands.
3-9-47 - Arrived in St. Thomas, V.I. where personnel enjoyed liberty and recreation.
3-14-47 - Consolation in company of USS SHAKORI (ATF-162), in compliance with CTF-29 Operational Plan 1-47, departed for Culebra Island arriving in Culebra on the same day.
3-16-47 - Proceeded for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in accordance with CTF-23 visual dispatch 142054Z.
3-18-47 - Anchored in berth 4 Guantanamo Bay.
3-19-47 - Moved to Pier A in order to debark the field hospital. Three corpsmen reported for duty upon arrival.
3-24-47 - Field hospital was debarked.
4-8-47 - Field hospital was restored in Hold #1 aboard ship.
4-18-47 - The remains of the late G. R. Hanson, ENS USNR, 401093, were received aboard from the Naval Hospital, Guantanamo Bay for transportation and further transfer to the Naval Hospital, Norfork, Virginia. Also five officer passengers, 39 first class passengers (Navy dependents), two civil service passengers, 19 Naval troop passengers and 19 Marine troop passengers embarked and the CONSOLATION departed for Norfolk, Virginia. Enroute sick call was held three times separately daily for first class and troop passengers. The health of the passengers was good.
4-20-47 - Ship moored at the U. S. Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia and passengers were debarked.
4-28-47 - CONSOLATION departed from Norfolk, Virginia.
4-30-47 - Moored at Pier 6, Charlestown Naval Shipyard. All patients were transferred to U. S. Naval Hospital, Chelsea, Mass. An overhaul period that extended to September 1947 began.
5-20-47 to 6-5-47 - Staff Medical Officers and Nurses were detached leaving only Captain J. M. Woodard, (MC), USN and LTJG E. D. Longaker, MC, USNR on board.
7-3-47 Captain Dale E. Collins, USN relieved Captain Harry L. Ferguson, Jr., USN of command of the USS CONSOLATION.
9-8-47 - Overhaul completed and CONSOLATION arrived at Newport, Rhode Island for training. The hospital staff consisted of 24 officers and 107 hospital corpsmen.
9-17-47 - Commander, Fleet Training Group, Narragansett Bay, held an Arrival Inspection. Hospital staff personnel were drilled daily in transfer of patients at sea and in receipt of casualties by letter hoists during the training and underway exercises in Narragansett Bay.
10-7-47 - Commander, Fleet Training Group, held his Departure Inspection.
10-10-47 - CONSOLATION departed Newport for Norfolk, Virginia in accordance with COMSERVLANT Operation Order 272-47.
10-13-47 to 10-23-47 - Ship was underway for training exercises during which time transfer of patients at sea detail was held.
10-18-47 - Commander Service Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Rear Admiral W. B. Baker, USN and his staff inspected the ship.
10-24-47 - CONSOLATION proceeded to New York, N. Y. for Navy Day. The ship was open to visitors daily from the time of arrival to her departure on 28 October, during which time 1470 visitors were aboard. Two minor accidents occurred to visitors. Both incidents were attributed to the visitors' inexperience with ship's ladders.
10-29-47 - Ship joined company with Task Force 29 and various units of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet in the Virginia Capes area in accordance with COMSERVRON dispatch 161532Z of October 1947, participating in Second Fleet October-November maneuvers. Practice transfer of patients at sea were held daily with all ships participating.
11-9-47 - CONSOLATION moored to buoy at Argentia, Newfoundland
11-15-47 - Patients from the Naval Dispensary at Argentia were received aboard and the ship departed.
11-17-47 - Ship arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia for liberty and recreation.
11-19-47 - Departed Halifax, Nova Scotia.
11-20-47 - Arrived at Newport, Rhode Island
11-29-47 - Departed Newport in compliance with Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet dispatch 101939Z.
11-30-47 - Arrived in Norfolk, Virginia.
12-2-47 to 12-12-47 - Berthed at Pier 7, the staff of the hospital ship conducted annual physical examinations on the staff of Commander Service Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and on officers of other vessels in the vicinity. a total of 146 annual physical examinations were conducted during this period.
12-14-47 - The CONSOLATION returned to Newport, R.I. for the holiday period and ended the year there.
YEAR OF 1948
At the beginning of the year 1948 the Consolation was moored to a buoy in the Bay at Newport, Rhode Island.
1-5-48 - Departed for Norfolk, Virginia.
1-6-48 - Arrived in Norfolk and began mission to render professional medical services to forces afloat in the Norfolk area.
2-5-48 - Departed for Spring Tactical Exercises with the fleet. During these exercises, fueling and transfer of patients at sea drills were conducted with units of the Task Force. Much off the time at sea was spent anchored off Vieques Island in support of the landing force.
3-18-48 - Returned to Norfolk and resumed its assigned mission.
9-17-48 - Departed under orders for Atlantic City, New Jersey to represent the Navy Medical Department for the annual meeting of the American Hospital Association. During the four days the ship was anchored off Atlantic City, 250 men were hospitalized aboard the ship and approximately 1500 delegates and visitors boarded the ship for tours and inspection. It was one of the most popular special features of the convention.
9-26-48 - Returned to Norfolk and resumed its mission.
11-1-48 - Departed for Fleet exercises in the North Atlantic. While enroute to Argentia, Newfoundland, conducted transfer of patients at sea exercises with various units of the fleet.
11-15-48 - Arrived at Sydney, Nova Scotia for liberty and recreation.
11-17-48 - Departed for fueling and transfer of patients at sea exercises with units of the fleet.
11-20-48 - Arrived at Norfolk, Virginia to resume it's mission and remained at Pier 5, Naval Base, Norfolk through 31 December 1948.
YEAR OF 1949
At the beginning of the year 1949, the Consolation was moored at Pier 5, Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia. Patients were received from various units of the fleet.
2-14-49 - Departed for Spring Tactical Exercises with Units of the Atlantic Fleet. During these exercises, fueling and transfer of patients at sea drills were conducted with units of the Task Force. Much off the time at sea was spent anchored off Vieques Island in support of the landing force.
3-23-49 - Returned to Naval Base, Norfolk and resumed assigned mission.
4-28-49 - Proceeded to Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia for a yard overhaul.
7-1-49 - Yard overhaul completed.
7-17-49 - Ordered under the Military Tactical Control of Chesapeake Bay Training Command for a "refresher training course" within the area of Hampton Roads. During this period a detailed schedule of drills and simulated battle problems were completed.
8-1-49 - Returned to Naval Base, Norfolk and resumed its assigned mission.
10-12-49 - Departed Norfolk as a unit of Commander Task Group 42.9 Atlantic Fleet for fleet exercises in the North Atlantic. During the amphibious phase of this operation, the ship remained anchored at Porcupine Point, Labrador furnishing Logistic Medical support to the amphibious forces overtaking the Island. During this period the remains of the late James A. Williams, PVT USMC, 1038226 were received aboard from the USS ARNEB, (AKA-56), for embalming services. After services were rendered the remains were transferred to the USS ARNEB for transportation to a Naval Hospital within the Continental United States and disposition.
11-1-49 - Joined forces with the Second Task Fleet to furnish Logistic Medical support. Fueling and transfer of patients at sea exercises with each type surface unit participating were accomplished with a maximum of success.
During these operations the remains of LTJG Richard Marsh Golden, USNR, 439399 and Harold Eugene Dixon, FA USN, 5714314, were received from the USS Holder (DD-819) and the USS Sumner (DD-692), respectively, after they had been washed overboard during tactical fueling exercises. Remains were prepared and encased on board for transportation to the Continental United States.
11-17-49 - The Consolation was detached from the Second Task Fleet.
11-19-49 - Arrived the Naval Shipyard, Charleston, Boston, Massachusetts. Captain J. H. Bradley, USN, Commander of the Task Force 42.9, Atlantic Fleet, and his staff embarked for transportation to Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia.
11-22-49 - Arrived Naval Base, Norfolk and resumed its mission of rendering professional medical services to the forces afloat and remained at Pier 5 through 31 December 1949.
YEAR OF 1950
The Consolation began the year at Pier 5, Naval Base, Norfolk attached to Service Force, Atlantic Fleet where she acted as a Naval Hospital, admitting both from shore and fleet activities.
3-1-50 - Departed Norfolk to engage in the "Portrex" operation, furnishing medical logistic support for the combined forces of Army, Navy and Air Force.
3-8-50 - Arrived at Vieques, Puerto Rico on "D" Day and anchored out about one and a half miles for three days.
3-10-50 - Ship moved in about 600 yards to receive patients both by small boat and helicopter. During the operation 152 patients were admitted, the majority of whom were Army personnel. One death occurred and 27 simulated casualties were received.
3-23-50 - Returned to Norfolk to resume mission.
5-16-50 - Sailed for Boston for "Armed Forces Day" and the "Boston Jubilee". During the four day stay nearly four thousand visitors were received.
5-23-50 - Ship returned to Norfolk.
6-25-50 - Communist-ruled North Korea invaded South Korea initiating United Nations action.
6-29-50 - Sailed for New York and the "Fourth of July" celebration. Because of the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, no visitors were allowed.
7-6-50 - Arrived in Norfolk where preparation were started for combat operations. All patients were transferred and stores and medical supplies were loaded.
7-14-50 - Sailed for Far East.
7-19-50 - The ship passed through the Panama Canal then became attached to Service Force, Pacific Fleet. During the trip to the West Coast, supplies were unpacked, wards cleaned and training engaged in.
7-29-50 - Arrived in Oakland, California where more stores were loaded.
7-30-50 - Sailed for Japan. Additional personnel were received both in Norfolk before sailing and again in Oakland. Further training periods were held during the trip out, and wards which had been previously unused or used by ship's company were returned to a patient readiness status. Procedures for receiving casualties under various conditions were worked out.
8-5-50 - The Consolation was awarded the Battle Efficiency Pennant for Fiscal Year 1950 by the Commander Service Force, Atlantic Fleet in recognition of her outstanding performance among vessels of her class. She was authorized to wear the symbolic "E" during the fiscal year 1951,
8-12-50 - Arrived in Yokosuka, Japan where medical cargo consigned to Fleet Activities were unloaded immediately.
8-14-50 - Sailed for Pusan, Korea.
8-16-50 - Arrived in Pusan and moored at Pier 1. Contact was made with the Army Logistic Command and procedures for handling patients, records, procurement of blood and other supplies worked out.
All patients received, with the exception of occasional cases from Fleet Activities or ships, were first taken up as admissions at the 8054th Evacuation Hospital. Patients were received actually from this hospital for evacuation to Japan and also directly from the hospital trains. Blood, oxygen and other supplies were obtained through the Army Medical Center. All transportation to the dockside was handled by Army Ambulance companies.
It soon became apparent that we could expect to receive large numbers of patients over short periods of time, often at night. This lead to the streamlining of procedures in handling patients. Due to the speed of influx of the patients and the difficulties in handling litters through narrow doors and around sharp corners, the custom of admitting patients at the Medical Officer of the Day's office was abandoned. Teams of Medical Officers, Dental Officers, and Medical Service Corps Officers saw the casualties as they were unloaded from the ambulances on the dock and assigned them to upper or lower bunks in various wards by attaching numbered and colored tickets. Routing then became automatic and there was no delay in the ship. As a rule, two and sometimes three litter hoists were used at once. As most of the casualties were surgical, the sorting was done under the direction of the Chief of Medicine and the Neuropsychiatrist, thus leaving the surgeons free for work within the ship. Line officers off watch and men from the deck, engineering and supply divisions were of tremendous help in handling patients.
Clerical procedures and records were simplified to keep pace with the rate of admissions. Hospital Corpsmen designated as "ward writers" made the round of the wards, and on mimeographed forms obtained data for the admission cards which were typed up on the regular forms in the record office. A mimeographed "Clinical Data Sheet" was used by the ward medical officers for write-up, instead of the longer hospital forms. Due to the speed of loading and the shortness of the distance to Japan, it was impossible to make typed copies of each record, so the clinical data sheet and order sheet of each patient was transferred with the patient, as well as any necessary X-ray films.
Certain factors beyond our control made patient handling difficult; among these were sharp turns in passageways, narrow doors, and getting litter patients into upper bunks. On arrival in the ward, patients were carried immediately to a bunk which was covered with a rubber sheet over the regular bed linen. Ward corpsmen and litter bearers would lift the patient into the bunk. Then the clothing, always soiled and often wet, would be cut off and the patient quickly cleaned, following which the rubber sheet would be removed.
9-10-50 - The last of three evacuation trips had been made to Japan. The first one the patients were unloaded at Yokohama and Yokosuka, the second at Kobe and the third at Yokohama and Yokosuka. During this period there were 1,327 admissions, 2 deaths, 20 returned to duty and 1,324 transferred to hospitals in Japan. It was found that under favorable conditions ashore, the patients could be unloaded at the rate of two a minute.
9-13-50 - CONSOLATION sailed from Yokosuka.
9-16-50 - Arrived at Inchon, Korea, the day following the initial assault. Almost immediately patients began to arrive by landing craft. The following morning, two hostile planes made a bombing and strafing attack on ships anchored nearby, and casualties were received from these ships. This anchorage was about fourteen miles from the landing area, so the boat trips from the beach were quite a hardship to the patients, particularly in rough wet weather. Later, the CONSOLATION moved to an anchorage close to Wolmi-do, thereby shortening the boat trip considerably. the effects of a long boat trip with the small craft in considerable motion and the patients wet and cold should not be underestimated as an unfavorable influence on their recovery.
At this point, admission procedure was simplified. Since patients were never received from more than two boats at a time, the use of tickets was omitted and the Patient's Identification Tag (NAVMED 70) was used from the start. Patients were brought from the hoists on the main deck into the area where the mid-thwartship passageway crosses the longitudinal passageway. The tag was placed on the patient's wrist by means of a rubber band, and the number of the ward to which the patient was assigned was written on the back of the sections labeled Record Office Tag and Embarkation Tag. The tag was then torn between the two sections and the patient carried to the ward by litter bearers. The person marking the tags held the Embarkation Tag and attached the Baggage Tag to any baggage brought aboard. Ward writers would stop by at intervals to collect the Record Office Tabs, and then make the rounds of the designated wards, writing up the new admissions. The remainder of the tag was returned to the Record Office by the ward writer. Large Manila envelopes were made up immediately with the Record Officer Tab attached to the outside surface. Any papers coming in were placed in these envelopes, which were filed in alphabetical order.
When the patient was ready to be evacuated by the Ward Medical Officer, he would send in a mimeographed chit indication the best mode of evacuation and whether the patient would be a stretcher or ambulatory. On the day of evacuation, the Record Office would bring the envelope up to the ward, in which all the records would be placed. Then the Debarkation Tab would be secured to the patient and when the patient was placed in the litter his records would be under him. In this way, the clinical records never left the ward, yet went with the patient. As the patient left the ship, the Debarkation Tab was removed, giving a final check on what patients were debarked.
During the later part of the operation two orthopedic surgeons reported aboard; up until that time all orthopedic work had been done by the three general surgeons. The large number of extremity and fracture wounds required the services of at least two trained orthopedic surgeons.
As the Inchon operation progressed, blood and oxygen were collected from the APAs and LSTs which had been stocked, but which were not being used. Blood was also brought from Japan, either to Kimpo airfield or to the harbor, by PBMs. Delivery of blood by PBM or PBY directly to the vicinity of the ship had definite advantages. After the immediate assault periods, surgical teams from LSTs were transferred to the hospital ship. The Medical Officers and Hospital Corpsmen of these teams were a welcome addition to our relatively small staff.
Evacuation of patients was made by two routes; by ship or plane. When transports with Medical Officers aboard were leaving the area, one hundred or more casualties would be sent to them. When Kimpo airfield was secured and put to use, patients were sent also by air. Both means of evacuation had defects. When a transport came directly alongside, patients could be passed across quickly, resulted in damage to the ships. Sending a large number of patients by small boat was time consuming. Perhaps the best means of carrying patients to others ships or to the beach was by LSU. About one hundred litters could be laid on the deck of an LSU. The journey from the beach to the airfield was long and rough. In addition, often there would be several hours delay before a patient was loaded into planes for take-off. Usually, it was found desirable to send the mental cases by air and the neurosurgical cases by ship. Mode of transportation appeared to be unimportant to the other types of patients to be evacuated.
Medical supplies during this operation were issued to other ships and medical organizations on the beach. The issuing of medical supplies by hospital ships in "retail" quantities is a function that should not be overlooked. Bulk supplies can best be drawn from the AKAs carrying them. It was found necessary to have a large number litters on board as there was no return of these items, including pajamas and blankets.
During the Pusan operation, and at Inchon, various systems of watch standing were used. The army had warned us that they had attempted to work steadily, but found that everybody would collapse at once; never-the-less, this was the first system we tried out, and after three days it became obvious that some system of watches would be necessary. After experimenting with different variations, the following was devised; all Hospital Corpsmen went on a twelve-hour shift, including the ward corpsmen, operating room corpsmen, X-ray and laboratory technicians. The record office was set up on a similar basis so that all activities were in operation twenty-four hours a day. It was very stimulating to those planning and directing our activities to find that corpsmen, time and time again, working long after their shifts were over when the work was needed to be done, voluntarily. With the number of corpsmen appreciably less than wartime complement, a tremendous work load was handled cheerfully and well. the operating surgeons were limited to twelve hours in the operating rooms, although they spent extra hours on the wards.
The ward Medical Officers preferred to be on call twenty-four hours a day so as not to lose continuity. They would eat and sleep during the brief periods between admissions. For several days the neurosurgeon scheduled a craniotomy or a laminectomy ever six hours day and night.
The admission rate was very high during the first half of the twenty-four hour days spent at Inchon; then, as the fighting moved inland, admissions dropped off. There were a total of 1,121 admissions, 24 deaths, 903 evacuations, and 137 sent back to duty.
10-10-50 - Departed for Yokosuka.
10-13-50 - Arrived in Yokosuka.
10-17-50 - Departed from Yokosuka.
10-19-50 - Arrived in Pusan. Remained at anchor.
10-27-50 - Departed from Pusan and arrived in Wonsan, Korea. Types of patients received here were quite diversified with a larger number and proportion of medical patients than had been received heretofore. There was also a large volume of out-patient work in medicine, minor surgery, EENT and dentistry, as well as a good deal of X-ray and laboratory work. In this area, as in Inchon, there were many racial and national types represented, as well as prisoners-of-war among the admissions.
During the period 28-31 October, and epidemic of bacillary dysentery occurred in a transport, with sporadic cases in other vessels. In all, 209 patients with dysentery were admitted to this hospital. Absolute isolation of mess gear of such a large number patients arriving in such short time was impossible; in spite of this, only one of our ship's company was admitted with this diagnosis.
The evacuation of patients from this area was largely by air and the usual delays were experienced between the time the patients left the ship and the time of take-off for Japan. There were 1,376 admissions, 6 deaths, 447 evacuated and 639 returned to duty in the Wonsan area.
11-23-50 - Moved from Wonsan when Communists made port untenable to Hungnam, Korea where a large number casualties were received from the reservoir area during the retreat. There were a large number of cases of frostbite, many extremely severe, as well as many wounded who were suffering from exposure and hunger. At one time there were over eight hundred patients on board; however, the excess of less serious cases was shifted to one of the transports. Several cases of methyl alcohol poisoning were admitted when troops and boat crews broke into what they understood to be ethyl alcohol, but what was in reality methyl alcohol. Several deaths resulted. It is felt that bulk containers of methyl alcohol or antifreeze should be more clearly marked, as several of the patients stated that they did not intend to drink methyl alcohol. There were 2,019 admissions at Hungnam, 28 deaths, 1704 evacuated and 286 returned to duty.
12-24-50 - Departed Hungnam as the port was being blown up.
12-25-50 - Arrived in Pusan.
12-26-50 - Departed for Yokohama.
12-28-50 - Arrived in Yokohama where Army patients were debarked and sailed on to Yokosuka where the Navy and Marine patients were off loaded.
The year ended with the ship alongside a pier in Yokosuka. The total admissions for the year were 7,242; 63 deaths; 5,034 evacuated and 2,225 returned to duty.
YEAR OF 1951
The year began with the ship's personnel taking advantage of the period of rest and recreation.
1-14-51 - Departed Yokosuka for Pusan, Korea.
1-16-51 - Arrived in Pusan to provide continued medical care of wounded both military and civilian of the Allied Forces and providing medical assistance for the military forces of Korea aiding in the establishment of Korean hospitals and medical installations.
3-9-51 - Departed Pusan for Yokosuka, Japan.
3-12-51 - Arrived in Yokosuka for rest and recreation.
3-19-51 - ONI came aboard and arrested three firemen, four seamen and two stewards for alleged homosexuality. All were later dismissed from the service.
3-26-51 - Departed Yokosuka for Inchon, Korea.
3-30-51 - Arrived in Inchon.
5-17-51 - Departed Inchon for Pusan, Korea.
5-19-51 - Arrived in Pusan and continued on to Yokohoma, Japam.
5-21-51 - Arrived in Yokohama and continued on to Yokosuka after discharging patients.
5-24-51 - Departed Yokosuka for San Diego, California.
6-6-51 - Arrived in San Diego and patients were discharged. McCarthy CM2c was returned to the Consolation by Shore Patrol after drinking heavily. During the night he leaped from the forecastle and hit his head against the concrete pier causing severe head injury.
6-7-51 - Departed San Diego and arrived in Long Beach Naval Shipyard where she was overhauled and fitted with a helicopter landing platform on her after deck.
8-12-51 - McCarthy visited the Consolation, but he had not recovered from his head injury.
8-18-51 - Departed Long Beach having completed yard period and arrived in San Diego.
8-24-51 - Departed San Diego beginning a series of runs back and forth to Long Beach, California for sea trials and underway drills for fire, collision, and damage control and chemical attack.
9-13-51 - Departed San Diego for Yokosuka, Japan.
9-29-51 - Arrived in Yokosuka, Japan.
10-4-51 - Departed Yokosuka for Pusan, Korea.
10-6-51 - Arrived in Pusan moored to pier, relieved the USS Haven and began to receive patients. Thanksgiving was spent in Pusan.
12-15-51 - Departed Pusan for Sok Cho Ri, Korea.
12-16-51 - Arrived in Sok Cho Ri where the Consolation anchored at sea to begin operation "Helicopter", the first use of the helicopter to evacuate casualties directly from the battlefield to a hospital ship.
12-18-51 - The Consolation received the first wounded Marine patient carried directly from the battlefield by helicopter.
12-25-51 - Consolation personnel saved 16 men, women and children in a small Korean boat which had parted her anchor chain in rough seas off Sok Cho Ri.
Christmas and the New Year were celebrated with the Consolation anchored off Sok Cho Ri.
YEAR OF 1952
The beginning of the new year found the Consolation anchored off Sok Cho Ri supporting the Allied Forces.
1-24-52 - Departed Sok Cho Ri for Pusan, Korea.
1-25-52 - Arrived in Pusan.
1-29-52 - Departed Pusan for Yokosuka, Japan.
2-2-52 - Arrived in Yokosuka for rest and recreation.
2-23-52 - Departed Yokosuka for Pusan, Korea.
2-25-52 - Arrived in Pusan and moored at pier alongside the Danish hospital ship, Jutlandia providing continued to support Allied Forces.
Captain C. W. Virtue was relieved by Captain J. R. Sayers as Officer-In-Charge of the hospital.
4-2-52 - Departed Pusan for Inchon, Korea.
4-3-52 - Arrived in Inchon Harbor where it was necessary to anchor out due to high tides.
4-11-52 - LCVP making an officers liberty run to Charlie Pier with Captain McElroy on board, ran aground on a sandbar, but was able to back off in approximately ten minutes.
6-13-52 - Departed Inchon Harbor for Yokosuka, Japan.
6-16-52 - Arrived in Yokosuka to discharge and load patients.
6-19-52 - Departed Yokosuka for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
6-28-52 - Arrived in Pearl Harbor.
6-30-52 - Departed Pearl Harbor for San Diego, California.
7-6-52 - Arrived in San Diego where patients were discharged and many of the ship's personnel left on leave.
7-7-52 - Departed San Diego for Long Beach, California where the ship was to be dry docked and overhauled at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard.
9-8-52 - After sea trials departed Long Beach for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
9-14-52 - Arrived in Pearl Harbor.
9-18-52 - Departed Pearl Harbor for Yokosuka, Japan.
9-26-52 - Arrived in Yokosuka.
9-29-52 - The Consolation was anchored out. After the LCVP delivered the liberty party through rough swells to the fleet landing, the small craft flag was hoisted. All boat coxswain were directed to stand fast. The liberty party including among others Theophilus Fisher and three nurses - one being the late LT C.L. Ellerbusch - were stranded ashore for 27 hours. Even when they were returned to the ship, they wore life jackets because the sea was still pretty rough.
10-2-52 - Departed Yokosuka for Inchon, Korea.
10-5-52 - Arrived in Inchon Harbor to continue support to the Allied Forces.
Change of Command Ceremony when Captain J. W. McElroy was relieved by Captain O. J. Stein.
11-52 - Consolation departed for Yokosuka, Japan for rest and recreation and returned.
12-31-52 - The year ended with the Consolation anchored in Inchon Harbor.
YEAR OF 1953
The spring of 1953 found the USS CONSOLATION in Inchon Harbor, Inchon, Korea. The schedule for the CONSOLATION during this period consisted of approximately six weeks on the line in Inchon Harbor, followed by two weeks of rest and recreation in Yokosuka, Japan. During the six week periods on the line there was a continuous flow of sick and wounded by the ship by both air and water. Delivery of patients to the ship by air was accomplished by means of helicopter.
5-20-53 - Departed for United States via Pusan, Yokosuka and Pearl Harbor.
6-23-53 - Docked in San Diego, 136 patients were immediately transferred to the Naval Hospital and leave was granted to the first leave party. The ship then left for Long Beach.
6-29-53 - Ship was placed in dry dock for a complete overhaul.
7-27-53 - United Nations and North Korea signed a truce. A permanent peace treaty has never been signed.
8-28-53 - Overhaul completed and CONSOLATION was underway to San Francisco to participate in the annual convention of the American Hospital Association.
8-30-53 - Arrived in San Francisco and moored at Pier 18 at the foot of Market Street. Visitors from many states and walks of life boarded the ship. Notables included: Rear Admiral H. L. Pugh, Surgeon General of Navy; Dr. Melvin A. Casberg, Assistant Secretary of Defense; Fred A. McNamara, Bureau of Budget, Office of the President; Vice Admiral Joel J. Boone, Chief Medical Director, Veterans Administration; Major General George E. Armstrong, Surgeon General of Army; Major General Harry G. Armstrong, Surgeon General of Air Force; Mr. Gordon Gray, President, North Carolina University; Mr. George Bugbee, executive Director, American Hospital Association, to name a few.
9-3-53 - Departed San Francisco for San Diego for week of training exercises.
9-12-53 - Departed San Diego for Long Beach to undergo minor repairs.
9-20-53 - Departed Long Beach for San Diego for underway training.
10-2-53 - Arrived in Long Beach and anchored in the stream of the point of Pico Street Landing.
10-5-53 - Departed Long Beach with twenty dependents (women and children) headed for Hawaii who were quartered in SOQ.
10-11-53 - Arrived in Pearl Harbor.
10-13-53 - Departed from Hawaii for Japan.
10-22-53 - Dispatch received from COMMARIANAS directing the ship to alter course and proceed to a prescribed destination to effect plans for receiving on board a badly injured patient from the USS Jason. Consideration was given to transfer the patient by means of a boat but, due to heavy seas, the plan was rejected in favor of a high-line transfer. After Jason was sighted preparations were completed for the transfer. The transfer was quickly made. The patient, Michael Salamone, was immediately prepared and taken to the operating room to undergo surgery. The highline was disengaged and each ship continued on her course.
10-24-53 - Arrived in Yokosuka and moored to Buoy 7. Liberty was granted.
10-29-53 - Departed Yokosuka for Inchon, Korea.
11-1-53 - Arrived in Inchon Harbor and the following day received 135 patients from USS Repose thus relieving her to depart for rest and recreation in Japan and Hong Kong.
11-12-53 - Mrs. Kim, a Korean humanitarian indigent patient was admitted to the hospital in the USS CONSOLATION after having suffered almost fatal burns in a fire that had destroyed her home in Inchon, Korea.
11-15-53 - Mrs. Kim gave birth to the first Korean baby delivered in the hospital ship. The baby was called Ichiban (Number One) because of this. Prior to the arrival of this four-pound baby boy, the name "Ichiban" had also been conferred upon the CONSOLATION, an appreciative gesture by Koreans to whom medical care had been given. Mrs. Kim almost completely recovered, was eventually transferred to the USS HAVEN for continued convalescence. Ichiban, a healthy seven-pound boy, had previously been delivered to his father who had taken him home.
11-26-53 - Medical assistance was extended to the Neutral Nations Inspection Team when a Czechoslovakian Colonel was admitted with wounds requiring immediate surgical attention.
12-11-53 - CONSOLATION departed for Japan.
12-14-53 - Arrived in Yokosuka, off-loaded patients and spent the rest of the year in Japan.
YEAR OF 1954
The new year found the CONSOLATION in Japan with the crew on rest and recreation.
1-8-54 - Departed Yokosuka for Chinhae, Korea to participate in "Operation Recovery". This operation, in support of the Korean rehabilitation program, was initiated for the purpose of conducting a survey of the patients at the Republic of Korea Naval Hospital, with the view of embarking those Korean Military patients who could be benefitted by further treatment. Prior to our arrival at Chinhae, professional evaluation teams were established to survey the various categories of patients and to select for transfer a maximum of 200. Upon arrival at Chinhae it was learned that the patient census was less than 500, of which 157 were patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. The survey was conducted on 11 and 12 January. The fact that only 12 Korean Military patients were selected for embarkation for further diagnostic studies and surgical procedures spoke well of the professional staff of the ROK Naval Hospital. All participating officers believed that their first-hand observation of a ROK Naval Medical facility, the mutual exchange of technical ideas on 281 clinical patients, and the US Navy's offer to be of assistance made "Operation Recovery" well worth while, and did much to foster a mutual admiration between the Medical Corps of the two countries. The twelve patients were embarked. Departed from Chinhae.
1-14-54 - Arrived in Inchon Harbor.
1-22-54 - Disaster struck! During stormy weather and heavy seas in Inchon Harbor, a LCM loaded with Marines who were participating in the transfer of POWs was struck by a LST and overturned. Assisting in rescue operations, six Marines were recovered from the water by the CONSOLATION and, these along with 12 others who were rescued by other ships were admitted for treatment and observation. Information as to the total number of Marines lost was not made known to the CONSOLATION.
2-8-54 - Departed Inchon Harbor for Yokosuka to off-load patients prior to proceeding to Hong Kong for rest and recreation.
3-2-54 - Departed Hong Kong for Sasebo, Japan,
3-8-54 - Arrived in Inchon Harbor and received 114 patients from the USS HAVEN. After an uneventful stay the ship departed for Yokosuka with 44 patients and the ship's crew was granted rest and recreation.
4-7-54 - After embarking 226 patients for evacuation to the United States, the ship departed for the USA.
4-16-54 - Arrived in Pearl Harbor and liberty granted.
4-18-54 - Departed Pearl Harbor for San Francisco.
4-23-54 - Arrived at Fort Mason where patients were off-loaded for Army and Navy Hospitals.
4-24-54 - Departed for Long Beach.
4-25-54 - Arrived in Long Beach, leave granted to half the crew and overhaul begun.
6-19-54 - Overhaul completed and underway training programs begun.
8-10-54 - Departed for Pearl Harbor.
8-16-54 - Arrived in Pearl Harbor and liberty granted.
8-18-54 - Departed Pearl Harbor. During the days that followed at sea chest X-rays were taken and inoculations were given to the staff.
8-21-54 - At 1201 the CONSOLATION crossed the International Date Line. Losing Sunday the 22nd, Divine Services were held on Monday the 23rd. Birthdays occurring during the month of August were celebrated on this day. The crew was served a delicious moon meal which was a real treat for all hands. Examinations for the 6th pay grade were conducted on 24 August.
8-25-54 - At approximately 1015 a school of approximately 70 whales was sighted.
8-26-54 - An albatross landed twice on the life rail of the ship at 0745 which, according to the "Old Salts" means Good Luck.
8-27-54 - At 0700 three islands of the Mariannas group were sighted.
8-31-54 - Arrived at Subic Bay, P.I. for a 48 hour stay where ship was refueled, supplies were taken aboard and liberty was granted.
9-2-54 - Departed from Subic Bay. Soon after leaving the ship ran into heavy seas and stormy weather which lasted for two days. Everyone on board was sick.
9-4-54 - Arrived in Tourane Bay, Indochina and Consolation received orders to participate in "Operation Passage to Freedom." Immediately upon arrival four patients were admitted and arrangements completed for medical consultations.
9-8-54 - Lieutenant Colonel Esplain, Medical Corps, Commanding Officer of the French Military Hospital, Tourane Bay, with a group of his officers and nurses visited the Consolation. Shortly after their arrival they were conducted on a complete tour of the ship.
Captain Wirthlin and members of his staff returned the visit and were given a conducted tour of the French Military Hospital in Tourane.
The beginning of annual physical examinations for officers attached to the USS AJAX was initiated and completed the following day. Throughout the stay of the ship in Tourane, officers attached to forces afloat in Tourane Bay were welcomed aboard to visit the ship and to have their annual physical examinations. Also during this period the ship was visited by RADM Roy Gano, USN, Commander COMSERVRON THREE and RADM L. S. Sabin, USN, Commander Task Force 90.
9-27-54 - Departed for Hong Kong, B.C.C. While enroute, the following message was received from Commander Task Force 90: "Your participation in "Operation Passage to Freedom" appreciated: "Bon Voyage."
9-29-54 - CONSOLATION berthed in Hong Kong Harbor. During stay there, liberty was granted every day from 1000 to 2400, except for 10-2-54 which was the day the Communists ashore were celebrating a Communist National Holiday.
10-4-54 - Weighed anchor and steamed for Sasebo, Japan.
10-7-54 - Moored in Sasebo Harbor. A water tender and a fuel tender came alongside and delivered two bags of mail (the first in three weeks.). After mail call, liberty was granted.
10-9-54 - Weighed anchor and got underway for Inchon, Korea.
10-10-54 - Arrived in Inchon Harbor.
11-3-54 - Captain W. M. Gullett, USN assumed command of the USS CONSOLATION relieving Captain O. J. Stein, USNR. The change-of-Command ceremony was held on the navigational bridge deck and witnessed by invited guests from other commands in the Inchon area.
Before leaving Inchon Harbor, letters of appreciation were received form the U.S. Army Liaison Office in Hong Kong, B.C.C. and the USS Walton (DE-36). These letters were expressions of appreciation for annual physical examinations conducted on officers of these commands and for the chest X-rays taken on American civilian dependents in Hong Kong while the Consolation was in Hong Kong Harbor. Commander L.W. Lange, MC, USN (staff) also received a personal letter of appreciation from the American Consul General of Hong Kong, B.C.C. for X-rays taken on the American Consulate staff and their dependents.
11-22-54 - CONSOLATION departed for Japan after providing medical support to the First Marine Division and U.S. Forces in Korea for six weeks. There were 120 patients aboard for transfer to the US Naval Hospital, Yokosuka.
11-26-54 - While at sea hit stormy weather and heavy sea.
11-28-54 - Arrived at Yokosuka after storm subsided and seas again became calm. Patients were transferred, overhaul and repairs commenced and rest and recreation was granted.
12-24-54 - Protestant and Catholic Christmas Eve services were held in the crew's messing compartment.
12-28-54 - Departed for Inchon Harbor to resume mission.
12-31-54 - Arrived in Inchon Harbor and admission of patients commenced as soon as the anchor was dropped. The intense cold and accidents had begun to take its toll.
YEAR OF 1955
The new year found the USS CONSOLATION in Inchon Harbor providing medical support to the First Marine Division and U.N. Forces in Korea.
1-28-55 - Received order to return to Yokosuka to evacuate patients and proceed to Sasebo.
2-1-55 - Departed Yokosuka
2-3-55 - Arrived at Sasebo where the ship remained on four to twelve hours sailing notice and ready for any eventuality incident to the Formosa "Operation Drawback" which was in effect at the time.
2-9-55 and 2-10-55 - Annual administrative inspection of the CONSOLATION was conducted. The over-all grade of "excellent" was attained by the hospital and ship. The preventive maintenance program and conservation program for the hospital were rated "outstanding." The inspection was conducted by COMSERVRON Three staff personnel with RADM Chester C. Smith, USN - Chief Inspector and Ass't Chief Inspector CAPT G. K. Hudson, USN and his assistants from the USS Hector.
2-14-55 - Official authorization was granted for the CONSOLATION to visit Hiroshima, Japan.
2-17-55 - Anchored off Hiroshima. Exchange visits between ship's personnel and local dignitaries and civilians took place during the visit.
2-21-55 - CONSOLATION departed.
2-23-55 - Arrived in Inchon Harbor. The First Marine Division had completed their shore based hospital and placed it in commission. Embarkation of units of the First Marine Division for transfer to the United States had begun.
3-3-55 - Departed to Yokosuka to debark patients for Naval Hospital Yokosuka and embark patients from that hospital that were to be evacuated to the United States for further treatment.
3-12-55 - Departed for the United States via Pearl Harbor after repairs to the ship had been completed by the Yokosuka Navy Repair and Overhaul Facility stores had been taken aboard.
3-31-55 - Arrived in San Francisco. The patients were of-loaded for transfer to stateside hospitals. Liberty was granted.
4-2-55 - Departed for Long Beach, home port.
12-30-55 - Consolation was placed out of commission in reserve (moth balled) at San Francisco.
SS HOPE
Ship's History and Itinerary
Years of 1960 to 1974
3-16-60 - Chartered to Project Hope and renamed SS HOPE. HOPE stood for Health Opportunity for People Everywhere. It was to be used as a hospital ship with a people-to-people mission to heal and to teach and train men and women in the emerging nations to heal their own. The project was financed by donations. The doctors were volunteers. Nurses and other personnel were paid only token wages. Free enterprise donated supplies. The following is a brief summary of the itinerary of the SS HOPE by year:
1960 - September - Sailed from San Francisco to Indonesia
1961 - Indonesia - Saigon, South Vietnam - San Francisco
1962 - San Francisco - Salaverry, Peru
1963 - Salaverry, Peru - New York City - Guayquil, Ecuador
1964 - Guayquil, Ecuador - New York City - Conakry, Guinea
1965 - Conakry, Guinea - Philadelphia
1966 - Philadelphia - Corinto, Nicaragua - New York City
1967 - Philadelphia - Miami - Cartagena, Colombia - Philadelphia
1968 - Philadelphia - Fort Lauderdale - Colombo, Ceylon
1969 - Colombo, Ceylon - Philadelphia - Wilmington - Tunis, Tunisia
1970 - Tunis, Tunisia - Baltimore
1971 - Baltimore - Kingston, Jamaica - Baltimore
1972 - Baltimore - Natal, Brazil - Baltimore
1973 - Baltimore - Maceio, Brazil
1974 - Maceio, Brazil - Baltimore and retirement in April
YEAR OF 1974
9-16-74 - Philadelphia. Subsequent to the return of the USS CONSOLATION to US Navy custody the ship was stricken from the official Naval Vessel Register.
12-5-74 - All action necessary for disposal and scrapping of the ship was completed.
THE MYSTERY OF THE "CREW'S LOG"
The "Crew's Log" was started in 1945 at the commissioning of the USS CONSOLATION AH-15. Each year, thereafter, a short synopsis of the activities involving the ship for the previous year was compiled and entered into the Log. The Log was always kept in the "Old Man's (Captain's stateroom) on top of his locker.
During the late fall of 1947, as a LTJG USNR, I reported for duty on the CONSOLATION and became the Navigator. In December 1948 I wrote the years synopsis in the Log and replaced it on top of the "Old Man's locker. In 1949 I was promoted to LT, detached for the CONSOLATION two weeks later and released from active duty.
In 1948 during my tour of duty, a young and beautiful LTJG Marion May Dooley NC USN reported for duty aboard the CONSOLATION. All I can say is "What a tour of duty!" On 29 September 1951 Marion May Dooley and I were married.
In 1949, immediately after my release from active duty as a LTJG USNR, I joined the US Coast Guard as a LTJG. What a blow to my ego! In the Coast Guard. In the USCG I was soon to find that promotions were slow, but responsibilities were fast. After several tours of shipboard duty as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer, I was transferred to the Merchant Marine inspection arm of the USCG. The USCG is responsible for all Merchant Marine details, new construction, repairs, conversions, licensing of personnel, etc.
In 1960 Marion and I were stationed in the San Francisco, California area. She was at the Naval Hospital in Oakland and I was doing Merchant Marine Inspection duties in the local shipyards in the surrounding area. One day I happened to be in a local shipyard when "lo and behold" there "she" was - Old AH-15. Here white paint was turning rust colored, but her red crosses were still bright and proud. She was being converted to a civilian hospital ship. I immediately made arrangements through the shipyard officials for Marion and me to visit our previous home.
We toured the CONSOLATION from stem to stern, from the engine room to the boat deck. Many changes were underway, such as, closing bulkhead openings for better watertight integrity, removing the old 500 ton field hospital from the lower hold and replacing it with "locked-in" water ballast for better stability, and others too numerous to mention.
We wound up our tour in the Old Man's Cabin, and our of curiosity, I checked out the top of the locker. There it was! The CONSOLATION's Crew's Log with the last entry being in late 1955. One had to assume that the CONSOLATION was decommissioned at that time and placed to rest in the tied up fleet proudly awaiting further orders. the Log had been lying there undisturbed for over five years. I made a fast moonlight requisition and away we went. We had a good visit!
The Crew's Log has been in our possession since then. We have reminisced over it several time in the past 27 years. We did not know what to do with it.
The answer came with the announcement of the First Consolation Reunion in October 1986 in Norfolk, Virginia. During the Reunion the Log was caressed by many loving hands. The Log, along with pictures and stories evoked many memories. Was it those memories or the camaraderie of meeting former Shipmates that brought forth the tear or two that glistened on dimly lit cheeks.
Respectfully submitted,
CDRs E.S. Bates and M.D. Bates, USCG, Retired
THE THREE FACES OF THE CONSOLATION
Red Crosses and green stripes on a white ship have been synonymous with hospital ships. In 1898 the SOLACE AH-2 was a white ship with a green hullband. She was the first Navy ship to fly the Geneva Red Cross flag at the foretruck. Through the years there were changes in the location of the red crosses and the green stripes.
When the CONSOLATION was commissioned in 1945, she had a single red cross painted on either side midship. There was a broad green stripe completely surrounding the hull interrupted by the red crosses. This is confirmed by Bill Yeager and by a picture of CDR Gertrude Nelson, the first Chief Nurse, holding a picture of the CONSOLATION. Richard Pollay (1946-48) also confirms the one red cross and green stripe on each side when he reported aboard and states that two more red crosses were added to each side during his tour of duty.
Red crosses were also seen on the stacks and the helicopter deck after it was installed in 1951. The three red crosses interrupting the green stripe on either side of the ship are to be seen in many pictures in year books and photographs until 1954 when the green stripe disappeared and only the three red crosses are seen on the sides of the ship. Edric and Marion Bates mention only the red crosses when they found the CONSOLATION after it was decommissioned.
