USS Benevolence

USS Benevolence (AH-13) Moored in Bikini Atoll lagoon, during Operation Crossroads, mid-July 1946. Several of the operation target ships are visible in the background.
History
United States
Ordered19 February 1942
Launched24 June 1944
Acquired19 June 1944
Commissioned5 May 1945
Decommissioned
  • 1 July 1947
  • 30 June 1947
FateSunk off San Francisco, California, in a collision 25 August 1950
General characteristics
Displacement11,141 tons empty (15,100 max)
Length520 ft (160 m)
Beam71.6 ft (21.8 m)
Draught24 ft (7.3 m)
Installed powerTwo boilers
PropulsionOne geared steam turbine, single screw
Speed17.5 knots
Capacity802 patients
Complement95 officers, 606 enlisted men
ArmamentNone

USS Benevolence (AH-13) a United States Navy Hospital Ship, was built as SS Marine Lion in 1944 by Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., in Chester, Pennsylvania, under a Maritime Commission contract. She was a C4-class ship, which were the largest cargo ships built by the United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) during World War II. Among the variations of the design were the Haven-class hospital ship, including Benevolence and five others.

She displaced 11,141 tons fully loaded, was 520 feet (160 m) long, had a beam of 71.6 feet (21.8 m) and a draft 24 feet (7.3 m). Her maximum speed was 17.5 knots (32.4 km/h; 20.1 mph). She was sponsored by Mrs. Daisy Unter, transferred to the United States Navy on 31 July 1944, converted to a hospital ship by Todd-Erie Basin Shipyard, Inc., Brooklyn and was commissioned on 12 May 1945.