USS Solace

U.S.S. Solace

(Saratoga Model Shipyard SMY-66)

Service: Built as SS Iroquois. Acquired by the Navy from Clyde Mallory Steamship Lines 22 Jul 1940 and converted to a hospital ship at Atlantic Basin Iron Works, Brooklyn NY. Commissioned as USS Solace (AH-5). Present at Pearl Harbor 7 Dec 1941, the explosion of USS Arizona was filmed from her deck by a crew member. Helped rescue crew members of Arizona, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. From Mar 1942 to May 1943 she shuttled across the South Pacific between New Zealand, Australia, Noumea, New Hebrides and San Francisco. At Tarawa in Nov 1943, the Marshalls in Jan/Feb 1944, and the Marianas in Jul/Aug with shuttles to Hawaii and Australia to disembark patients. In Sep/Oct to support Western Caroline operations, then station ship at Ulithi. On to Iwo Jima in Feb/Mar 1945 and Okinawa Mar/Jun. Return to San Francisco and overhaul at Portland. In Sep 1945 she was assigned to Magic Carpet duties until Jan 46. USS Solace earned seven battle stars for her World War II service. Transferred to Maritime Commission in 1946 and sold to Turkish Maritime Lines 1947. Renamed SS Ankara and rebuilt as passenger liner. Laid up in 1977 and scrapped in 1981.