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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 103420:  USS Admiral E. W. Eberle in San Francisco Bay, California, in late 1945 or early 1946.

Online Library of Selected Images:
U.S. NAVY SHIPS -- Listed by Hull Number

AP -- Transports

Prior to the formal implementation of its alpha-numeric hull number system in 1920, the Navy had employed specialized personnel transports during the Civil War, as well as during and after the Spanish-American War. The Navy's small transport force was vastly expanded in the World War I era, during which it carried a large portion of the more than two-million American Soldiers, Marines and Sailors sent to the European combat zone. Once the fighting had ended, it brought even more of them home.

With one exception, the transports of both eras were acquired from private sources and did not receive the pre-1920 Navy's ship type serial numbers. Most of those entering service in 1917-1919 were given registry identification numbers, but this "ID" number system did not differentiate between ship types, and so was not at all equivalent to the ship type serial number and the as-yet-unimplemented hull number systems.

With the designation "AP", transport hull numbers formally commenced with USS Henderson , whose construction was authorized as Transport # 1 in 1913. She became AP-1 in July 1920. A second unit, Transport # 2 (later assigned the name Heywood), was authorized in 1916. Her construction was deferred, but the hull number AP-2 was maintained on the Navy List, to be briefly assigned to the pioneer attack transport Doyen (APA-1) in 1941. The old transport Hancock became AP-3 in 1920, and two large "Hog Islander" passenger ships acquired in the early 1920s became AP-4 and AP-5.

The Second World War brought assigned AP numbers up to 177, though some of the ships so designated did not enter U.S. Navy service. Many other transports, specially fitted for amphibious operations, were reclassified as attack transports (APA), and a few more were converted for other purposes. However, dozens continued as APs through the wartime period, after which most were disposed of, turned over to the Maritime Commission or transferred to the Army. The great majority of the Army's transports returned Navy ownership in 1950, with the establishment of the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), and were thereafter designated "T-AP". More ships were acquired for MSTS during the Korean War and also became T-APs.

Long-range jet-propelled passenger aircraft, offering a cheaper and more convenient way of moving people over long distances, gradually replaced the Navy's transports during the 1960s. Though some laid-up APs survived into the early years of the Twenty-First Century, the type was operationally extinct long before that. However, given the vagaries of technology and World politics, the existence of large numbers of big commercial cruise liners, and the example set by the big British liner Canberra during the 1982 Falklands war, any expectation that the AP designation will never be resurrected is probably premature.

This page provides the hull numbers of all U.S. Navy transports numbered in the AP series, with links to those ships with photos available in the Online Library.


See the list below to locate photographs of individual transports numbered in the AP series.

If the transport you want does not have an active link on this page, contact the Photographic Section concerning other research options.


Left Column --
Transports numbered AP-1 through
AP-101:

  • AP-1: Henderson (1917-1948),
    later Bountiful (AH-9)
  • AP-2: Doyen (1943-1946),
    originally named Heywood.
    Authorized in 1916 but postponed in 1919. Finally commissioned as APA-1 in 1943
  • AP-3: Hancock (1902-1926), later IX-12
  • AP-4: Argonne (1921-1950),
    later AS-10 & AG-31
  • AP-5: Chaumont (1921-1948),
    later Samaritan (AH-10)
  • AP-6: William Ward Burrows (1940-1946)
  • AP-7: Wharton (1940-1947)
  • AP-8: Harris (1940-1948), later APA-2
  • AP-9: Zeilin (1942-1948), later APA-3

  • AP-10: McCawley (1940-1943),
    later APA-4
  • AP-11: Barnett (1940-1946),
    later APA-5
  • AP-12: Heywood (1940-1946),
    later APA-6
  • AP-13: : George F. Elliot (1941-1942)
  • AP-14: Fuller (1941-1946),
    later APA-7
  • AP-15: William P. Biddle (1941-1946), later APA-8
  • AP-16: Neville (1941-1946),
    later APA-9
  • AP-17: Harry Lee (1940-1946),
    later APA-10
  • AP-18: Feland (1943-1946),
    later APA-11
  • AP-19: Catlin (1941). Previously George Washington (ID # 3018, 1917-1919)

  • AP-20: Munargo (1941-1943)
  • AP-21: Wakefield (1941-1964)
  • AP-22: Mount Vernon (1941-1946)
  • AP-23: West Point (1941-1946)
  • AP-24: Orizaba (1941-1945). Previously ID # 1536 (1918-1919)
  • AP-25: Leonard Wood (1941-1946),
    later APA-12
  • AP-26: Joseph T. Dickman (1941-1946), later APA-13
  • AP-27: Hunter Liggett (1941-1946),
    later APA-14
  • AP-28: Kent (1941-1942).
    Previously Santa Teresa (ID # 3804, 1918-1919)
  • AP-29: U.S. Grant (1941-1945).
    Previously Madawaska (ID # 3011, 1917-1919)

  • AP-30: Henry T. Allen (1941-1946), later APA-15 & AG-90
  • AP-31: Chateau Thierry (1941-1943)
  • AP-32: St. Mihiel (1941-1943)
  • AP-33: Republic (1941-1945).
    Previously President Grant (ID # 3014, 1917-1919)
  • AP-34: J. Franklin Bell (1941-1946), later APA-16
  • AP-35: American Legion (1941-1946), later APA-17
  • AP-36: John L. Clem (1941 - not commissioned). Previously Santa Ana (ID # 2869, 1919-1919)
  • AP-37: President Jackson (1942-1973), later APA-18
  • AP-38: President Adams (1941-1974), later APA-19
  • AP-39: President Hayes (1941-1973), later APA-20

  • AP-40: Crescent City (1941-1948),
    later APA-21
  • AP-41: Stratford (1941-1946). Previously Catherine (AK-45)
  • AP-42: Tasker H. Bliss (1942-1942)
  • AP-43: Hugh L. Scott (1942-1942)
  • AP-44: Willard A. Holbrook (1942 -- not commissioned)
  • AP-45: Thomas H. Barry (circa 1942 -- not commissioned)
  • AP-46: James Parker (circa 1942 -- not commissioned)
  • AP-47: J.W. McAndrew (1942 -- not commissioned)
  • AP-48: Frederick Funston (1943-1961). Commissioned as APA-89. Later T-AP-178
  • AP-49: James O'Hara (1943-1968). Commissioned as APA-90. Later T-AP-179

  • AP-50: Joseph Hewes (1942-1942). Would have become APA-22
  • AP-51: John Penn (1942-1943), later APA-23
  • AP-52: Edward Rutledge (1942-1942). Would have become APA-24
  • AP-53: Lafayette (1941-1945 -- not commissioned), later APV-4
  • AP-54: Hermitage (1942-1946)
  • AP-55: Arthur Middleton (1942-1973), later APA-25
  • AP-56: Samuel Chase (1942-1973), later APA-26
  • AP-57: George Clymer (1942-1968), later APA-27
  • AP-58: Charles Carroll (1942-1977), later APA-28
  • AP-59: Thomas Stone (1942-1945), later APA-29

  • AP-60: Thomas Jefferson (1942-1973), later APA-30
  • AP-61: Monticello (1942-1946)
  • AP-62: Kenmore (1942-1946), later Refuge (AH-11)
  • AP-63: Rochambeau (1942-1945)
  • AP-64: Monrovia (1942-1969), later APA-31
  • AP-65: Calvert (1942-1977), later APA-32
  • AP-66: Ancon (1942-1946), later AGC-4
  • AP-67: Dorothea L. Dix (1942-1946)
  • AP-68: Alameda (circa. 1942 - not acquired)
  • AP-69: Elizabeth C. Stanton (1942-1946)

  • AP-70: Florence Nightingale (1942-1946
  • AP-71: Lyon (1942-1946)
  • AP-72: Susan B. Anthony (1942-1944)
  • AP-73: Leedstown (1942-1942)
  • AP-74: Le Jeune (1943-1957)
  • AP-75: Gemini (1942-1946). Previously Matinicus (AG-38 & AK-52)
  • AP-76: Anne Arundel (1942-1946)
  • AP-77: Thurston (1942-1946)

    Note: APA-33 through APA-56 were originally designated AP-78 through AP-101, respectively. None of these ships had any service as APs. However, for the sake of completeness they are listed below:
  • AP-78: Bayfield (1943-1969). Commissioned as APA-33
  • AP-79: Bolivar (1943-1946). Commissioned as APA-34
  • AP-80: Callaway (1943-1946). Commissioned as APA-35
  • AP-81: Cambria (1943-1971). Commissioned as APA-36
  • AP-82: Cavalier (1944-1969). Commissioned as APA-37
  • AP-83: Chilton (1943-1974). Commissioned as APA-38
  • AP-84: Clay (1943-1946). Commissioned as APA-39
  • AP-85: Custer (1943-1946). Commissioned as APA-40
  • AP-86: Du Page (1943-1946). Commissioned as APA-41
  • AP-87: Elmore (1943-1946). Commissioned as APA-42
  • AP-88: Fayette (1943-1946). Commissioned as APA-43
  • AP-89: Fremont (1943-1974). Commissioned as APA-44

  • AP-90: Henrico (1943-1976). Commissioned as APA-45
  • AP-91: Knox (1943-1946). Commissioned as APA-46
  • AP-92: Lamar (1943-1946). Commissioned as APA-47
  • AP-93: Leon (1943-1946). Commissioned as APA-48
  • AP-94: Ormsby (1943-1946). Commissioned as APA-49
  • AP-95: Pierce (1943-1946). Commissioned as APA-50
  • AP-96: Sheridan (1943-1946). Commissioned as APA-51
  • AP-97: Sumter (1943-1946). Commissioned as APA-52
  • AP-98: Warren (1943-1946). Commissioned as APA-53
  • AP-99: Wayne (1943-1946). Commissioned as APA-54
  • AP-100: Windsor (1943-1946). Commissioned as APA-55
  • AP-101: Leedstown (1943-1946). Originally named Wood. Commissioned as APA-56

Right Column --
Transports numbered AP-102 through
T-AP-202:

  • AP-102: La Salle (1943-1946). Originally named Hotspur
  • AP-103: President Polk (1943-1946)
  • AP-104: President Monroe (1943-1946)
  • AP-105: George F. Elliott (1943-1946)

  • AP-106: Catskill (1944-1973). Originally CM-6. Completed as LSV-1. Later MCS-1
  • AP-107: Ozark (1944-1982). Originally CM-7. Completed as LSV-2. Later MCS-2
  • AP-108: Osage (1944-1974). Originally AN-3. Completed as LSV-3. Later MCS-3
  • AP-109: Saugus (1945-1976). Originally AN-4. Completed as LSV-4. Later MCS-4

  • AP-110: General John Pope (1943-20__), later T-AP-110
  • AP-111: General A.E. Anderson (1943-1987), later T-AP-111
  • AP-112: General W.A. Mann (1943-1987), later T-AP-112
  • AP-113: General H.W. Butner (1943-1977), later T-AP-113
  • AP-114: General William Mitchell (1944-1987), later T-AP-114
  • AP-115: General George M. Randall (1944-1975), later T-AP-115
  • AP-116: General M.C. Meigs (1944-1972), later T-AP-116
  • AP-117: General W.H. Gordon (1944-1987), later T-AP-117
  • AP-118: General W.P. Richardson (1944-1946)
  • AP-119: General William Weigel (1945-1987), later T-AP-119

  • AP-120: Admiral W.S. Benson (1944-1987), later General Daniel I. Sultan (T-AP-120)
  • AP-121: Admiral W.L. Capps (1944-2000), later General General Hugh J. Gaffey (T-AP-121 & IX-507)
  • AP-122: Admiral R.E. Coontz (1944-2001), later General Alexander M. Patch (T-AP-122)
  • AP-123: Admiral E.W. Eberle (1945-1997), later General Simon B. Buckner (T-AP-123)
  • AP-124: Admiral C.F. Hughes (1945-2005), later General Edwin D. Patrick (T-AP-124)
  • AP-125: Admiral H.T. Mayo (1945-2005), later General Nelson M. Walker (T-AP-125)
  • AP-126: Admiral Hugh Rodman (1945-1997), later General Maurice Rose (T-AP-126)
  • AP-127: Admiral W.S. Sims (1945-2005), later General William O. Darby (T-AP-127) & IX-510
  • AP-128: Admiral D.W. Taylor (launched 1946 - not commissioned)
  • AP-129: Admiral F.B. Upham (launched 1946 - not commissioned)

  • AP-130: General G.O. Squier (1943-1964)
  • AP-131: General T.H. Bliss (1944-1964)
  • AP-132: General J.R. Brooke (1944-1964)
  • AP-133: General O.H. Ernst (1944-1964)
  • AP-134: General R.L. Howze (1944-1968), later T-AP-134
  • AP-135: General W.M. Black (1944-1967), later T-AP-135
  • AP-136: General H.L. Scott (1944-1964)
  • AP-137: General S.D. Sturgis (1944-1967), later T-AP-137
  • AP-138: General C.G. Morton (1944-1967), later T-AP-138
  • AP-139: General R.E. Callan (1945-1982). Later T-AP-139, then General H.H. Arnold (T-AGM-9)

  • AP-140: General M.B. Stewart (1945-1967), later T-AP-140
  • AP-141: General A.W. Greely (1945-1968), later T-AP-141
  • AP-142: General C.H. Muir (1945-1968), later T-AP-142
  • AP-143: General H.B. Freeman (1945-1967), later T-AP-143
  • AP-144: General H.F. Hodges (1945-1967), later T-AP-144
  • AP-145: General Harry Taylor (1944-20__). Later T-AP-145, then General Hoyt S. Vandenberg (T-AGM-10)
  • AP-146: General W.F. Hase (1944-1968), later T-AP-146
  • AP-147: General E.T. Collins (1944-1968), later T-AP-147
  • AP-148: General M.L. Hersey (1944-1968), later T-AP-148
  • AP-149: General J.H. McRae (1944-1968), later T-AP-149

  • AP-150: General M.M. Patrick (1944-1967), later T-AP-150
  • AP-151: General W.C. Langfitt (1944-1968)
  • AP-152: General Omar Bundy (1945-1964), later T-AP-152
  • AP-153: General R.M. Blatchford (1945-1969), later T-AP-153
  • AP-154: General LeRoy Eltinge (1945-1969), later T-AP-154
  • AP-155: General A.W. Brewster (1945-1968), later T-AP-155
  • AP-156: General D.E. Aultman (1945-1967), later T-AP-156
  • AP-157: General C.C. Ballou (1945-1968), later T-AP-157
  • AP-158: General W.G. Haan (1945-1968), later T-AP-158
  • AP-159: General Stuart Heintzelman (1945-1968), later T-AP-159

  • AP-160: Monitor (1944-1974). Originally AN-1. Later LSV-5 & MCS-5
  • AP-161: Montauk (1944-1973). Originally AN-2. Commissioned as LSV-6. Later Galilea (AKN-6)
  • AP-162: Kenmore (1943-1946), later AK-221
  • AP-163: Livingston (1943-1973), later AK-222
  • AP-164: De Grasse (1943-1946), later AK-223
  • AP-165: Prince Georges (1943-1946), later AK-224
  • AP-166: Comet (1944-1946)
  • AP-167: John Land (1944-1946)
  • AP-168: War Hawk (1944-1946)
  • AP-169: Golden City (1944-1946)


  • AP-170: Winged Arrow (1944-1946)
  • AP-171: Storm King (1943-1946)
  • AP-172: Cape Johnson (1944-1946)
  • AP-173: Herald of the Morning (1944-1946)
  • AP-174: Arlington (1944-1946)
  • AP-175: Starlight (1944-1946)
  • AP-176: General J.C. Breckinridge (1945-1987), later T-AP-176
  • AP-177: Europa (1945-1946)
  • T-AP-178: Frederick Funston (1943-1969), previously AP-48 & APA-89
  • T-AP-179: James O'Hara (1943-1968), previously AP-49 & APA-90

  • T-AP-180: David C. Shanks (1950-1973)
  • T-AP-181: Fred C. Ainsworth (1950-1973)
  • T-AP-182: George W. Goethals (1950-1970)
  • T-AP-183: Henry Gibbins (1950-1959)
  • T-AP-184: Private Elden H. Johnson (1942-1971). Originally Pinkney (APH-2)
  • T-AP-185: Private William H. Thomas (1942-1971). Originally Rixey (APH-3)
  • T-AP-186: Sergeant Charles E. Mower (1942-1969). Originally Tryon (APH-1)
  • T-AP-187: Private Joe E. Martinez (1950-1971)
  • T-AP-188: Aiken Victory (1950-1971)
  • T-AP-189: Lieutenant Raymond O. Beaudoin (1950-1972)

  • T-AP-190: Private Sadao S. Munemori (1950-1969)
  • T-AP-191: Sergeant Howard E. Woodford (1950-1972)
  • T-AP-192: Private Sylvester Antolak (1950-1971)
  • T-AP-193: Marine Adder (1950-1967)
  • T-AP-194: Marine Lynx (1950-1967)
  • T-AP-195: Marine Phoenix (1950-1967)
  • T-AP-196: Barrett (1951-1973)
  • T-AP-197: Geiger (1952-1980)
  • T-AP-198: Upshur (1952-1973)
  • T-AP-199: Marine Carp (1952-1967)

  • T-AP-200: Marine Jumper (ca.1951 - not acquired)
  • T-AP-201: Marine Marlin (ca.1951 - not acquired)
  • T-AP-202: Marine Serpent (1952-1968)


To the best of our knowledge, the pictures provided in the "Online Library of Selected Images" are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 26 December 2006
New ship added 12 August 2007