The USS Refuge (AH-11) was a hospital ship of the United States Navy serving during World War II, with a rich history rooted in its earlier civilian construction. Originally built in 1921 by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, New Jersey, the vessel was initially named SS Blue Hen State. It was part of the Emergency Fleet Corporation’s Design 1095 passenger/cargo ships, commonly known as the "502" type, measuring approximately 502 feet in length between perpendiculars. These ships were designed for troop transport, with a displacement of around 12,000 DWT, and could carry a crew of 115 along with 78 passengers, including steerage, and a bale cargo capacity of nearly 466,000 cubic feet, with dedicated cold storage space. The ship was renamed President Garfield in 1922 and later became SS President Madison in 1940, serving with American President Lines. Throughout its civilian career, the vessel experienced several notable incidents, including running aground at Nantucket in 1925 and another grounding on Matanilla Reef in 1929, from which it was refloated. The ship also participated in rescue operations, notably saving 30 survivors from the sinking SS Kershaw in 1928. In 1941, just before the U.S. entered WWII, the ship was delivered to the government and used as a passenger vessel, notably escaping Japanese-held waters under strict radio silence, earning the nickname “Phantom Ship.” The Navy acquired her in April 1942, converting her into the transport USS Kenmore (AP-62). She transported troops and cargo in the Pacific theater, notably supporting operations around Guadalcanal and New Caledonia. In 1944, she was renamed USS Refuge (AH-11) and converted into a hospital ship. As Refuge, she served in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific, providing medical care and evacuation for wounded personnel. Her service included transporting casualties from North Africa, Europe, and the Pacific theater, notably supporting operations in the Philippines and Korea. She earned one battle star for her WWII service. Decommissioned in 1946, she was eventually sold for scrap in 1948, ending her distinguished maritime career.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.