- USS Giansar (AK-111)
USS "Giansar" (AK-111) was a sclass|Crater|cargo ship originally laid down as the
liberty ship SS "Thomas Ewing". The ship was taken over by theUnited States Navy and renamed in 1943. After being decommissioned in 1945, "Giansar" was returned to theMaritime Commission . She was scrapped in 1963. The ship's original name honoredThomas Ewing , an American politician fromVirginia . The name "Giansar" is after the star in the constellation "Draconis"."Giansar" was launched under
Maritime Commission contract19 January 1943 by theOregon Shipbuilding Corporation inPortland, Oregon . She was sponsored by Mrs. Harry A. Dick and acquired by the US Navy on5 October 1943 . "Giansar" was commissioned on29 October 1943, withLieutenant Commander C. J. King, USNR in command."Giansar" sailed from
Los Angeles, California 10 November 1943 to deliver aircraft to Pago Pago, Samoa, and general cargo toFunafuti atoll,Ellice Islands . She then proceeded with 500 pound bombs toNamomea in the Gilberts. After transport oflanding craft fromApamama to Tarawa, she returned toPearl Harbor 1 February 1944 . She departed10 February with tanks, guns, trucks and gasoline forMajuro , returning12 March with more than 125 passengers. She made a similar voyage (13 March –19 May ) carrying general cargo and mail to Majuro andKwajalein ."Giansar" departed Pearl Harbor
21 May 1944 and put in at San Francisco 8 days later with salvaged aviation material and 123 passengers. In a round trip voyage from San Francisco (9 June –28 September ), she transported vehicles, supplies and other cargo to Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok,Saipan andGuam . A similar voyage was made (31 October 1944 –9 February 1945 ) for delivery of provisions to Hawaii,Ulithi and Guam. She returned to Los Angeles9 February with 130bluejackets ."Giansar" departed Los Angeles on her last logistic cruise
1 March 1945. Proceeding via Hawaii and the Marshalls, she unloaded cargo at Ulithi, thence to San Pedro Bay in thePhilippines where she arrived25 May 1945. She remained there 3 months, discharging foodstuffs, store stock and medical supplies are required. After a voyage to Ulithi and return (13 -25 August ), she departed San Pedro Bay28 August for return toSeattle, Washington ,28 September 1945."Giansar" arrived at San Francisco
18 October , departing 2 days later forNorfolk, Virginia . She moored atHampton Roads, Virginia 8 November and decommissioned at Norfolk28 November 1945. She was returned to the Maritime Commission in the same day. Her name was struck from theNaval Vessel Register 19 December 1945 .References
*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/g5/giansar.htm
External links
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