Search the Site with 
General Characteristics Crew List Memorabilia Cruise Books History Image Gallery to end of page

USS Hollandia (CVE 97)

- formerly ASTROLABE BAY -
- later CVU 97, later AKV 33 -
- decommissioned -


Sorry,
no coat of arms
available.

USS HOLLANDIA was the 43rd CASABLANCA - class escort aircraft carrier. Decommissioned on January 17, 1947, the HOLLANDIA was placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, Bremerton. She was reclassified CVU 97 on June 12, 1955, and AKV 33 on May 7, 1959. She was struck from the Navy list on April 1, 1960, and sold to Eisenberg & Co., New York, in July 1960 for scrap.

General Characteristics:Awarded: 1942
Keel laid: February 12, 1944
Launched: April 28, 1944
Commissioned: June 1, 1944
Decommissioned: January 17, 1947
Builder: Kaiser Shipbuilding Co., Vancouver, Wash.
Propulsion system: four boilers
Propellers: two
Length: 512.5 feet (156.2 meters)
Flight Deck Width: 108 feet (32.9 meters)
Beam: 65 feet (19.9 meters)
Draft: 22.6 feet (6.9 meters)
Displacement: approx. 10,400 tons full load
Speed: 19 knots
Catapults: one
Aircraft: 28 planes
Armament: one 5-inch L/38 gun, 16 40mm guns, 20 20mm guns
Crew: 860


Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page



Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page

Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS HOLLANDIA. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.


back to top  go to the end of the page



Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page



Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page

USS HOLLANDIA Cruise Books:


Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page

History of USS HOLLANDIA:

HOLLANDIA (CVE 97) was launched under Maritime Commission contract as ASTROLABE BAY (CVE 97) by Kaiser Co., Inc., Vancouver Wash., 28 April 1944; sponsored by Mrs. William H. Wheat; renamed HOLLANDIA 30 May 1944; and commissioned 1 June 1944, Captain C. L. Lee in command.

Following training off the West Coast, HOLLANDIA sailed 10 July 1944 from San Diego for a shakedown cruise to Espiritu Santo. She also transported replacement aircraft on this cruise, and on the return voyage stopped at Manus and Guadalcanal, arriving Port Hueneme, Calif., 27 August. During the next few months, the escort carrier made similar cruises between the United States and the navy's bases in the far Pacific, Manus, Ulithi, and Guam bringing vitally-needed supplies and passengers.

HOLLANDIA was anchored at Ulithi, 1 April 1945 when the Navy's massive amphibious assault of Okinawa began. She got underway next day and operated off the Okinawan coast, sending fighters to support the advancing troops. The ship then returned to San Diego, arriving 1 May 1945. Following a cargo and passenger voyage to Pearl Harbor and return, HOLLANDIA departed 7 June to take part In the climactic events of the Pacific war. Loading replacement aircraft at Pearl Harbor, the ship sailed 18 June to operate with 3rd Fleet's logistic supply unit, and for the final 2 months of the war, she brought valuable replacements to the carriers of the fast task forces pounding Japan.

Following the surrender of Japan, HOLLANDIA underwent conversion at Guam for use as a passenger ship and joined Operation "Magic-Carpet", charged with the gigantic task of returning the thousands of American servicemen in the Pacific. After four such voyages, the ship returned to San Pedro. Departing 4 February 1946, she arrived Puget Sound 15 February and decommissioned 17 January 1947. She was reclassified while in reserve to CVU 97, 12 June 1955, and to AKV 33, 7 May 1959. HOLLANDIA was sold to Eisenberg & Co., New York in July 1960, and later scrapped.

HOLLANDIA received two battle stars for World War II service.


Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page


Back to topback to top



Back to Escort Carrier List. Back to Ships List. Back to selection page. Back to 1st page.