USS Rixey (APH-3)

USS "Rixey" (APH-3) was a casualty evacuation transport ship in the United States Navy

"Rixey" was built by the Moore Dry Dock Company, Oakland, California. 11,500 tons. 450 x 62 x 23.6. 18 knots. Her keel was laid as "Alcoa Cruiser" (MC Hull 177) 3 June 1941 and intended for use as a bauxite and passenger ship for the Alcoa Steamship Company.

"Rixey" was launched on 30 December 1941; sponsored by Miss Betty Hammond; and designated for Navy use and assigned the name "Rixey" after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Acquired by the Navy 30 December 1942; and commissioned the same day, Captain Allen Hobbs in command. With a complement of 460, and a troop capacity of 1,166 or a bed capacity of 700, "Rixey" was named in honor of Rear Admiral Presley Marion Rixey, MC, USN.

Decommissioned 27 March 1946 after three years and three months active commission; returned to the Maritime Commission and simultaneously transferred to the Army Transportation Service on 9 September 1946. Converted to a transport ship and renamed "Private William H. Thomas" on 31 October 1947. Following the establishment of a unified sea transportation service, she was returned to the Navy on 1 March 1950 and designated T-AP-185. Transferred to the Maritime Administration’s National Defense Reserve Fleet, "Rixey" was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 27 December 1957. She was later sold to the Tung Ho Enterprise Corporation, Taiwan.