Haven-class hospital ship

USS Haven, the lead ship of her class, seen here in 1954.
Class overview
NameHaven class
Operators United States Navy
Succeeded byMercy class
Built1943–1944
In service1944–1989
Planned6
Completed6
Lost1
Retired5
General characteristics as built
TypeHospital ship
Displacement
  • 11,141 long tons (11,320 t) standard
  • 15,400 long tons (15,600 t) full load
Length520 ft (160 m)
Beam71 ft 6 in (21.79 m)
Draft24 ft (7.3 m)
PropulsionGeared turbine, single screw
Speed18.3 knots (33.9 km/h; 21.1 mph)
Capacity802 patients
Complement568–574

The Haven class of hospital ships were built for the United States Navy (USN) during World War II. Haven-class ships also served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. They were among the first ships to be able to receive casualties directly by helicopter and were the first fully air conditioned ships in the USN. The first ship was laid down in July 1943, while the last was launched in August 1944. In that span the United States produced six Haven-class hospital ships. The last Haven-class ship was struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1989. One ship sank in a collision in 1950; the five others were scrapped. Haven-class hospital ships were replaced with the Mercy-class hospital ships.