Consolation (AH 15) - Naval Cruise Book

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JJ Con oluiion History l953 Commissioned in 1945, the U. S. Navy Hospital Ship Consolation has an overall length of 520 feet, a normal displacement of 15,034 tons and a cruising speed of 17 knots. The Consolation can provide medical and surgical care to 786 bed patients. Her operating rooms, laboratories, and clinics' are comparable to those of the most modern hospitals in the entire world and are a tribute to the medical and dental professions. At the end of World War II the Consolation was actively engaged in Iapanese Wa- ters evacuating and caring for ex-prisoners of war, and allied nationals. Despite the strain on her facilities, she 'treated all with the necessary medical and 'surgical care and returned them home in greatly improved condition. Later, she took part in operation Magic Carpet, which repatriated 'thousands of men from overseas at the close of World War II. Departing from San Francisco, California, in Iuly, 1950, the Consolation was the first Hospital Ship to arrive in Korea to furnish medical support for United Nations Forces. After participation in the Inchon invasion of 1950, and operations at Wionsan and Hungnam, the Consolation was selected as the experimental hospital ship to be fitted with a Helicopter flight deck to expedite the transportation of Wounded to hospital facilities. The 60 foot by 60 foot landing platform was constructed at the U. S. Naval Ship yard in Long Beach, California. When work was completed on 16 August, 1951, the Con- solation returned to the Korean Theater, to resume her mission of medical support. ' In December, 1951, anchored off Sokcho-Ri, Korea, 15 miles above the 38th parallel, Operation Helicopter began within sight and sound of Communist guns on -the Korean Coast. ' Cn 18 December, 1951, at 12:20 p.m., the first battle casualty ever flown from the field of battle to a hospital ship was landed by a Marine Helicopter. This was the beginning of a mission unprecedented in Naval or Medical history. In late March, 1952, when battle action increased on the Korean western front, the Consolation was ordered to Inchon Harbor to .furnish medical support to the troops. Soon after her arrival the flow of patients began. By boat and helicopter they came. Battle casualties were admitted and received within minutes of being Wounded. After maintaining a daily patient census of more than 400 for ten weeks, in Iune, 1952 the Consolation was ordered home for a period of upkeep and replenishment of supplies. - ' '

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NAVY DEPARTMENT JUN U 6 'MNT UBRPKRY q , Q,OXQ'::O 1955 . Q. 96 Y CO QQ Lf -HSCLLL. I Wiwse

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