USS Hanover (APA-116) was a Bayfield-classattack transport in service with the United States Navy from 1945 to 1946. In 1947, she was sold into commercial service. The ship was scrapped in 1972.
After conducting a brief shakedown cruise off Galveston, Texas, Hanover arrived Gulfport, Mississippi, 3 May 1945 and began loading Marines and SeaBees for transportation to the Pacific. She got underway 6 May and sailed to Pearl Harbor, carrying out training operations en route. After her arrival 24 May, the ship unloaded her troops for further transfer and until 6 June took part in underway training operations in Hawaiian waters. She then sailed for San Francisco in company with other transports, and just before reaching California was diverted to Portland, Oregon, where she arrived 19 June.
Hanover got underway 1 July for Eniwetok Atoll, an important Pacific staging area, expecting to take part in the final assault on Japan. Arriving 14 July, she sailed in convoy 3 days later, bound for Ulithi. The ship remained at this base briefly, using the rest and recreation at Mog Mog island,[1] which is a part of the Ulithi atoll.
She stopped in Manila, Philippines. She was soon bound for Okinawa, where she arrived 12 August 1945. Hanover unloaded replacement troops on that battle-scarred island, and after the close of the war prepared to take part in the occupation.
After hostilities
After embarking Army units, Hanover sailed 5 September for Jinsen, Korea, to aid in the occupation, and unloaded her troops three days later. The transport returned to Okinawa 14 September but was soon forced to stand out to sea to ride out the great typhoon of September 1945. After the severe weather subsided, Hanover returned to Okinawa and loaded troops for the occupation of China. She arrived in Taku 30 September to help stabilize the troubled situation there and aid in the consolidation of the area by Nationalist forces.
USS Hanover APA116 with Chinese Nationalists loading in South China in October or November of 1945
Operation Magic Carpet
Hanover's next assignment was with the Operation Magic Carpet fleet, bringing home American troops from the Pacific.
She arrived San Francisco on her last voyage 6 February 1946, and was ordered to steam via the Panama Canal on to Norfolk, Virginia, where she arrived 9 March.
The ship decommissioned on 11 May 1946 and was returned to the Maritime Commission the next day.
Commercial service
The Hanover was purchased by Oceanic Steamship Company in 1947. In 1965 traded to Matson and renamed Venturea No.3. In 1970, she was sold and renamed Entu. The ship was finally scrapped in Taiwan in 1972.[2]
↑ http://www.usmm.org/matson.html Oceanic Navigation Company Ships | (see also ex- U.S.S. Todd (AKA-71). VENTURA (#2), 8175 ton C-2 freighter, built Wilmington, N.C. 1944 as U.S.S. TODD (AKA-71). Oceanic bought 1947, traded to Matson c. 1961. Renamed HAWAIIAN WHOLESALER, sold 1961. Renamed CHATHAM, scrapped in Taiwan 1972.
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