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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USNS General M. C. Meigs (T-AP-116)
ex
USS General M. C. Meigs (AP-116) (1944 - 1946)

International Radio Call Signs
1944 - USS General M.C. Meigs (AP-116) NJVR November - Juliet - Victor - Romeo	1950 - USNS General M.C. Meigs (T-AP-116) NJNT November - Juliet - November - Tango

USS General M. C. Meigs was manned by the US Coast Guard during World War II

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal - Europe Africa Middle East Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Second Row - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Europe or Asia clasp) - National Defense Service Medal
Third Row - Korean Service Medal (6) - United Nations Service Medal - Republic of Korean War Service Medal (retroactive)

General John Pope Class Transport:

Laid down, 22 September 1943, as a Maritime Commission type (P2-S2-R2) hull under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 674) at Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Kearny, N.J.

Launched, 13 March 1944

Acquired by the US Navy, 2 June 1944

Commissioned USS General M. C. Meigs (AP-116), 3 June 1944, at Bayonne, N.J., CAPT. George W. McKean, USCG, in command

During World War II USS General M. C. Meigs operated in both the Europe-Africa-Middle East and Asiatic-Pacific Theaters

Following World War II USS General M. C. Meigs was assigned to Occupation service in the Far East from 9 to 15 January 1946

Decommissioned, 4 March 1946, at San Francisco, CA.

Struck from the Naval Register, 20 March 1946

Custody transferred to the Maritime Commission, 12 April 1946

Operated under charter, 8 June 1946 for the War Shipping Administration by American President Lines

Reacquired by the Navy, 21 July 1950

Placed in service with the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) as USNS General M. C. Meigs (T-AP-116)

During the Korean War USNS General M. C. Meigs participated in the following campaigns:

Campaign and Dates	Campaign and Dates
Korean War Campaigns
Communist China Spring Offensive 22 to 23 May 1951	Korean Defense Summer-Fall 1952 13 to 16 May 1952 5 to 6 July 1952 15 August 1952 25 to 27 November 1952
UN Summer-Fall Offensive 31 August to 1 September 1951 8 to 9 October 1951 17 to 18 November 1951	Third Korean Winter 9 to 10 January 1953 27 to 28 February 1953 2 to 3 March 1953 21 to 22 April 1953
Second Korean Winter 4 to 5 April 1952	Korean Summer-Fall 1953 9 to 10 June 1953 26 to 27 July 1953

Placed in reduced operational status in 1955

USNS General M. C. Meigs (T-AP-116) earned six battle stars for Korean War service

Placed out of service and transferred to the Maritime Administration (MARAD), 1 October 1958, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Olympia, WA.

During 1971-72 the Olympic Reserve Fleet was phased out and Murphy Pacific Marine Salvage Company was

contracted to tow Meigs to San Francisco. With Meigs under tow USNS Gear (T-ARS-34) reached the

Pacific Ocean, just west of Cape Flattery, at 0300, 9 January 1972. Wind and high seas (a force 8 gale) caused the

tow to sever setting Meigs adrift. Despite efforts of the crew of Gear and the Coast Guard, Meigs continued to drift,

stranding on a rocky ledge breaking in two around a large rock pinnacle about 7 miles south of Cape Flattery at

Portage Head. at approximately 48°16N 124°40W.

Specifications:
Displacement 11,450 t.(lt), 20,175 t.(fl)
Length 622' 7"
Beam 75' 6"
Draft 25' 6"
Speed 20.6 kts (trial)
Complement

Officers 33

Enlisted 419

Troop Accommodations

Officers 393

Enlisted 4,896

Largest Boom Capacity 10 t.

Cargo Capacity 84,000 cu. ft.

WWII Armament

four single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mounts

four quad 1.1" AA gun mounts (replaced by four quad 40mm AA gun mounts)

twenty single 20mm AA gun mounts

Fuel Capacities

NSFO 19,600 Bbls

Diesel 410 Bbls

Propulsion

two De Laval steam turbines

four Foster-Wheeler D-type boilers, 465psi 765°

double De Laval Main Reduction Gears

four turbo-drive 400Kw 120V/240V D.C. Ships Service Generators

twin propellers, 17,000shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
USS General M.C. Meigs (AP-116)
	79k	*Namesake* Montgomery Cunningham Meigs, born in Augusta, Ga., 3 May 1816, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1836. He served with the Corps of Engineers for a quarter of a century and in 1861 became Quartermaster General. In addition to equipping and supplying the Union Armies during the Civil War, General Meigs supervised the construction of the Washington Aqueduct and the dome and wings of the United States Capitol. After the Civil War, he was a member of the Commission for the Reform and Reorganization of the Army. General Meigs retired in 1882 and died in Washington, D.C., 2 January 1892. Digital ID: cwpbh 03709 Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs	Bill Gonyo
092211637	104k	*General M. C. Meigs* starts her slide down the builders ways after being christened by her sponsor, Mrs. Henry R. Arnold, during launching ceremonies at Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Kearny, N.J., 13 March 1944. Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. photo/font>	Dale Hargrave
	114k	Aerial view of *USS General M. C. Meigs* (AP-116)** underway in Hampton Roads, VA., 4 July 1944, soon after completion. Photographed from an aircraft assigned to Naval Air Station, Hampton Roads. US National Archives photo # 80-G-235158 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.	Robert Hurst
	66k	Aerial view of *USS General M. C. Meigs* (AP-116)** underway in Hampton Roads, VA., 4 July 1944, soon after completion. Photographed from an aircraft assigned to Naval Air Station, Hampton Roads. US National Archives photo # 80-G-235159 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.	US Naval Historical Center
	84k	Aerial view of *USS General M. C. Meigs* (AP-116)** underway in Hampton Roads, VA., 4 July 1944, soon after completion. US Navy photo # NH 104632 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, Military Sealift Command collection.	Robert Hurst
	46k	Aerial view of *USS General M. C. Meigs* (AP-116)** underway in the Atlantic Ocean east of Norfolk, VA. (position 36 56'N, 74 54'W), on 10 July 1944, while outbound on her first troop-carrying voyage. Photographed by an aircraft from Blimp Squadron 24 (ZP-24), based at Naval Air Station Weeksville, N.C. US National Archives photo # 80-G-239229 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.	Robert Hurst
	44k	*USS General M. C. Meigs* (AP-116)**, docked at the North Side Pier 4, Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, Newport News, VA.; just prior to sailing. Official US Army photo produced by US Army Signal Corps, Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, 5 July 1944. Photo now in the collections of the Library of Virginia. Image No. C2:2/20/011.	The Library of Virginia, US Army Signal Corps Photograph Collection
	46k	*USS General M. C. Meigs* (AP-116)**, (HR-524), in the stream off Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, Newport News, VA. Official US Army photo produced by US Army Signal Corps, Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, 1 September 1944. Photo now in the collections of the Library of Virginia. Image No. C2:2/20/020.	The Library of Virginia, US Army Signal Corps Photograph Collection
	23k	*USS General M. C. Meigs* (AP-116)** 1st Division, October 1944 off the coast of Africa in the South Atlantic Ocean.	Robyn Gage for her father Robert Kachelmeyer USS Meigs
	127k	*USS General M. C. Meigs* (AP-116)** at anchor, date and location unknown.	Capt Jerry Mason USN
	114k	*USS General M. C. Meigs* (AP-116)** arriving in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 18 July 1945. Aboard were 4,931 Brazilian Air Force and Army troops. At right is Sugar Loaf Mountain.	Photo from Capt Jerry Mason USN Description from Luis Gabriel, Brazil.
	37k	*USS General M. C. Meigs* (AP-116)** arriving in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 18 July 1945. Aboard were 4,931 Brazilian Air Force and Army troops, veterans of the European Campaign. Note Sugar Loaf Mountain in the background.	Flavio Mathias
	201k		Flavio Mathias
	83k	*USS General M. C. Meigs* (AP-116)** under way, circa 1945, location unknown. Photo courtesy Shipscribe.com.	Robert Hurst
War Shipping Administration Charter American President Lines
	113k	*General M. C. Meigs* under way, circa May 1947, while being operated as a troop ship between San Francisco and Hong Kong by the American President Lines under charter from the Maritime Commission. The ship was modified for a commercial crew and repainted in the shipping line's colors but was otherwise little altered and retained all ten of her Welin boat davits. Photo courtesy Shipscribe.com.	Robert Hurst
092211634	281k	*General M. C. Meigs* in American President Lines colors, docking at Vancouver, B.C., ca. 1948. ©J. Lindsay.	Gerhard Mueller-Debus
092211636	269k	*General M. C. Meigs* in American President Lines colors, underway in San Francisco Bay, circa 1946-50.	Darryl Baker
USNS General M.C. Meigs (T-AP-116)
092211635	221k	*USNS General M. C. Meigs* (T-AP-116)** underway, date and location unknown US Navy MSTS photo	Nicholas Tiberio
	68k	*USNS General M. C. Meigs* (T-AP-116)** after she joined Military Sea Transportation Service in July 1950 and before she received a modernization beginning in September 1953. Her appearance is little changed from World War II except for the removal of her armament. US Navy photo # NH 104661 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.	US Naval History and Heritage Command
092211650	116k	Aerial image post card of *USNS General M. C. Meigs* (T-AP-116)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy MSTS photo	Tommy Trampp
	62k	*USNS General M. C. Meigs* (T-AP-116)** crew conducting an abandon ship drill while pierside at Seattle, WA., 1 November 1950. Note the metal life boat in the foreground. US Navy photo # NH 104662 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.	Robert Hurst
	62k	*USNS General M. C. Meigs* (T-AP-116)** moored pierside between July 1950 and September 1953, probably at Seattle, Washington, where she was based. Photographed by Balint. The original contemporary photo caption reads: "First M.S.T.S. North Pacific ship on which Naval Reserve of the 13th Naval District inaugurated training program enabling Volunteer Reservists to hold regularly scheduled drills was the U.S. Naval Ship (General M.C.) Meigs. Reservists earn points for promotion and retirement." US Navy photo # NH 104663 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.	US Naval Historical Center
	63k	*USNS General M. C. Meigs* (T-AP-116)** "Cracks along under the Golden Gate Bridge, outward bound for the Far East," (quoted from the original caption released by Military Sea Transportation Service, Pacific). The photograph was taken between July 1950 and September 1953 from the south tower of the bridge. US Navy photo # NH 104664 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.	US Naval Historical Center
	62k	*USNS General M. C. Meigs* (T-AP-116)** being assisted by three Army harbor tugs, 21 November 1950, probably at Seattle, WA. Except for the removal of armament, her appearance is little changed from World War II. She retains her wartime outfit of lifeboats served by Welin davits. US Navy photo # NH 104631 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, Military Sealift Command collection.	US Naval Historical Center
	697k	*USNS General M. C. Meigs* (T-AP-116)** underway, probably in harbor at Seattle, WA., circa 1950. US Navy photo	Tom Forbes
	924k	US Army troops boarding *USNS General M. C. Meigs* (T-AP-116)** at the Army Port of Embarkation, Seattle, WA., circa November 1950 to May 1951.	Tom Forbes
	456k	US Army troops aboard *USNS General M. C. Meigs* (T-AP-116)** at sea enroute to Korea, circa November 1950 to May 1951.	Tom Forbes
	118k	*USNS General M. C. Meigs* (T-AP-116)** arriving at Seattle with 4,737 Korean War veterans, 7 August 1951. AP Wirephoto	Ron Reeves
	145k	*USNS General M. C. Meigs* (T-AP-116)** underway in Puget Sound off Seattle in 1952. AP Wirephoto	Ron Reeves
	65k	*USNS General M. C. Meigs* (T-AP-116)** in San Francisco Bay, 26 January 1953, with a harbor tug standing by to assist. US Navy photo # NH 104665 by JO2 Troutt of the Military Sea Transportation Service, Pacific, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.	US Naval Historical Center
	102k	*USNS General M. C. Meigs* (T-AP-116)** underway sometime between completion of her modernization in February 1954 and the conclusion of her last major voyage in May 1955. Note the large empty gun position forward and the rearranged lifeboats amidships. US Navy photo # NH 104629 by Chris Minerich of the Fort Lawton Photo Shop, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.	Robert Hurst
	73k	*USNS General M. C. Meigs* (T-AP-116)** underway sometime between completion of her modernization in February 1954 and the conclusion of her last major voyage in May 1955. Note the large empty gun position forward and the rearranged lifeboats amidships. US Navy photo # NH 104630 by Chris Minerich of the Fort Lawton Photo Shop, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.	Robert Hurst
NH 104591	87k	The MSTS Reserve Fleet nest at the Navy Industrial Reserve Shipyard, Everett, WA., 25 June 1957, looking north. The ships, from right to left, are; *USNS General John Pope* (T-AP-110), USNS General M. C. Meigs (T-AP-116), USNS General William Weigel (T-AP-119), USNS General R. L. Howze (T-AP-134), USNS Marine Phoenix (T-AP-195), USNS Marine Adder (T-AP-193), and USNS Marine Lynx (T-AP-194)*. They are in MSTS Ready Reserve status. All were moved to the Maritime Administration reserve fleets at Olympia and Astoria in 1958. During World War II this site was occupied by the Everett Pacific Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., which built net laying ships, non-self propelled barracks ships, self-propelled covered lighters and small harbor tugs. Larger ships were repaired at the piers where the MSTS ships were later moored. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo #'s NH 104591* and NH 104592	Robert Hurst
NH 104592	86k		Robert Hurst
	79k	The MSTS Reserve Fleet nest at the Navy Industrial Reserve Shipyard, Everett, WA., 25 June 1957, looking west. The ships, from front to rear, are; *USNS General John Pope* (T-AP-110), USNS General M. C. Meigs (T-AP-116), USNS General William Weigel (T-AP-119), USNS General R. L. Howze (T-AP-134), USNS Marine Phoenix (T-AP-195), USNS Marine Adder (T-AP-193), and USNS Marine Lynx (T-AP-194)*. They are in MSTS Ready Reserve status. All were moved to the Maritime Administration reserve fleets at Olympia and Astoria in 1958. During World War II this site was occupied by the Everett Pacific Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., which built net laying ships, non-self propelled barracks ships, self-propelled covered lighters and small harbor tugs. Larger ships were repaired at the piers where the MSTS ships were later moored. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 104594*	Robert Hurst
	90k	The MSTS Reserve Fleet nest at the Navy Industrial Reserve Shipyard, Everett, WA., 25 June 1957, looking east. The ships, from back to front , are; *USNS General John Pope* (T-AP-110), USNS General M. C. Meigs (T-AP-116), USNS General William Weigel (T-AP-119), USNS General R. L. Howze (T-AP-134), USNS Marine Phoenix (T-AP-195), USNS Marine Adder (T-AP-193), and USNS Marine Lynx (T-AP-194)*. They are in MSTS Ready Reserve status. All were moved to the Maritime Administration reserve fleets at Olympia and Astoria in 1958. During World War II this site was occupied by the Everett Pacific Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., which built net laying ships, non-self propelled barracks ships, self-propelled covered lighters and small harbor tugs. Larger ships were repaired at the piers where the MSTS ships were later moored. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 104593*	Robert Hurst
	85k	Ex-General M. C. Meigs (T-AP-116) broken in two, on the rocks off Cape Flattery in January 1972.	Gerhard Mueller-Debus
	189k	Ex-General M. C. Meigs (T-AP-116) broken in two, on the rocks off Cape Flattery in January 1972. UPI photo.	Tommy Trampp
	117k		Tommy Trampp
	481k	Ex-General M. C. Meigs (T-AP-116) broken in two, on the rocks off Cape Flattery in January 1972.	Warren Hilt
	305k
	369k

USS General M.C. Meigs (AP-116) New York Navy Yard, 15 June 1944 U.S. Navy photos from U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD)
092211638	092211639	092211640	092211641	092211642	092211643
092211644	092211645	092211646	092211647	092211648	092211649

USS / USNS General M.C. Meigs (AP-116 / T-AP-116)
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

Commanding Officers
01	CAPT. McKean, George Walton, USCG	3 June 1944 - ?


Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
MARAD Vessel History Database

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 21 July 2023

NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USNS General M. C. Meigs (T-AP-116)ex USS General M. C. Meigs (AP-116) (1944 - 1946)

USNS General M. C. Meigs (T-AP-116)
ex
USS General M. C. Meigs (AP-116) (1944 - 1946)