USS Midway (AG-41)

USS "Midway" (AG-41) – also known as USS "Panay" (AG-41) -- was a commercial cargo ship leased by the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was used by the Navy as a cargo ship and as a troop transport in the North Pacific Ocean. She was returned to her owner at war’s end.

Constructed in Brooklyn

The first ship to be named "Midway" by the Navy, she was built in 1921 as "Oritani" by Todd Shipyards Corporation, Brooklyn, New York, and renamed "Tyee" in 1939; was acquired by the Navy on a bareboat charter through the War Shipping Administration (WSA) from Alaska Transportation Company, Seattle, Washington; and commissioned at Puget Sound Navy Yard 10 April 1942.

World War II service

Classified as general auxiliary, "Midway" operated along the Pacific coast between ports of the Northwestern United States and American bases in Alaska and the Aleutians. In January 1943 she steamed to Pearl Harbor and shuttled troops, provisions and equipment between the islands of the central Pacific.

Renamed Panay

Renamed "Panay" 3 April 1943, she resumed the Alaskan run in the summer and continued this vital service to military and naval units in the far north through the end of the war.

Post-war decommissioning

"Panay" was decommissioned 24 May 1946 and was returned to her owner.

See also

* United States Navy
* World War II

References

*
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/49/49041.htm - NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - AG-41 Midway / Panay]