Haven-class hospital ship

The Haven class of hospital ships was 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 6 Haven-class hospital ships. The class was based upon the Maritime Commission’s Type C4 ship (as C4-S-B2 design).

The last Haven class ship was struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1989. One ship sank in a collision in 1950; four others have been scrapped. Only one Haven-class ship,the ex-USS Sanctuary (AH-17), is still afloat.

Haven-class ships

 * USS Haven (AH-12) — lead ship of class; used in Operation Crossroads and Korean War
 * USS Benevolence (AH-13) — present for Surrender of Japan; sunk 1950 off California coast after collision
 * USS Tranquillity (AH-14)
 * USS Consolation (AH-15) — first hospital ship to receive casualties directly by helicopter
 * USS Repose (AH-16) — last Haven class to be decommissioned; processed 9,000 battle casualties during the Vietnam War
 * USS Sanctuary (AH-17) — Only Haven class ship still in existence