- USS Thomas (1894)
The USS "Thomas" was launched as the "Persia " in
1894 , having been built for theHamburg America Line 's service to New York. She was bought by theAtlantic Transport Line in1897 because she was "practically a sister" to other Massachusetts class of ships already in service there. She was renamed "Minnewska" by her new owners. The following year,1898 , she was one of six Atlantic Transport Line ships requisitioned by the U. S. Government for service as transports during theSpanish-American War . She was purchased by the government for $660,000 onJuly 26 ,1898 , and renamed "Thomas" afterGeneral George Henry Thomas , a hero of the Civil WarBattle of Chickamauga .The "Thomas" is best known as having transported a group of 540 American teachers and some of their family members to initiate a new era of public education in the Philippines in August of
1901 . That group and other educators later transported on other ships became known as theThomasites , having gotten that name from the "Thomas". ThePeace Corps tradition was arguably started by these educators.For other ships of this name, see USS "Thomas".
External links
* [http://www.geocities.com/jckinghorn/ATL/content/23Minnewaska.htm S.S. Minnewska (I)] (later renamed the "Thomas")
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