USS Giansar (AK-111)

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USS Giansar (AK-111) was a Liberty ship originally laid down as SS Thomas Ewing. The ship was taken over by the U.S. Navy and renamed in 1943. After being decommissioned in 1945, Giansar was returned to the Maritime Commission. She was scrapped in 1963. The ship's original name honored Thomas Ewing, an American politician from Virginia. The Navy name of Giansar is after the star in the constellation Draconis.

[edit] Naval duty

Giansar was launched under Maritime Commission contract 19 January 1943 by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation, Portland, Oregon; sponsored by Mrs. Harry A. Dick; acquired 5 October 1943; commissioned 29 October 1943, Lt. Comdr. C. J. King, DSNR, commanding.

Giansar sailed from Los Angeles, California 10 November 1943 to deliver aircraft to Pago Pago, Samoa, and general cargo to Funafuti atoll, Ellice Islands. She then proceeded with 500 pound bombs to Namomea in the Gilberts. After transport of landing craft from Apamama to Tarawa, she returned to Pearl Harbor 1 February 1944. She departed 10 February with tanks, guns, trucks and gasoline for Majuro, returning 12 March with more than 125 passengers. She made a similar voyage (13 March–19 May) carrying general cargo and mail to Majuro and Kwajalein.

Giansar departed Pearl Harbor 21 May 1944 and put in at San Francisco 8 days later with salvaged aviation material and 123 passengers. In a round trip voyage from San Francisco (9 June–28 September), she transported vehicles, supplies and other cargo to Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, Saipan and Guam. A similar voyage was made (31 October 1944–9 February 1945) for delivery of provisions to Hawaii, Ulithi and Guam. She returned to Los Angeles 9 February with 130 bluejackets.

Giansar departed Los Angeles on her last logistic cruise 1 March 1945. Proceeding via Hawaii and the Marshalls, she unloaded cargo at Ulithi, thence to San Pedro Bay in the Philippines where she arrived 25 May 1945. She remained there 3 months, discharging foodstuffs, store stock and medical supplies are required. After a voyage to Ulithi and return (13-25 August), she departed San Pedro Bay 28 August for return to Seattle, Washington, 28 September 1945.

Giansar arrived at San Francisco 18 October, departing 2 days later for Norfolk, Virginia. She moored at Hampton Roads, Virginia 8 November and decommissioned at Norfolk 28 November 1945. She was returned to the Maritime Commission in the same day. Her name was struck from the Navy List 19 December 1945.

(AK-111: dp. 4023; l. 441'6"; b. 56'11"; dr. 28'4"; s. 12.5 k.; cpl. 254; a. 1 5"; cl. Crater)