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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Bountiful (AH-9)
ex
 USS Henderson (AP-1) (1920 - 1943)
 USS Henderson (1917 - 1920)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Xray - November - Golf
 NXNG
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - World War I Victory Medal (with Transport clasp) - Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal - Yangtze Service Medal
Second Row - China Service Medal - American Defense Service Medal - American Campaign Medal
Third Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (4) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
  • Laid down, 19 June 1915, at Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Launched, 17 June 1916
  • Commissioned USS Henderson, 27 May 1917, at Philadelphia, PA., LT. C. W. Steel in command
  • Designated (AP-1), 17 July 1920
  • Decommissioned, 13 October 1943, for conversion to a Hospital Ship at General Engineering and Dry Dock, Co., Oakland, CA.
  • Recommissioned USS Bountiful (AH-9), 23 March 1944, CDR. G. L. Burns in command
  • Decommissioned, 13 September 1946, at Seattle, WA.
  • Struck from the Naval Register (date unknown)
  • Turned over to the Maritime Commission for disposal
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping by the Maritime Commission, 28 January 1948 to Consolidated Builders Inc., Seattle, WA.
  • Bountiful (AH-9) received four battle stars for World War II service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 7,730 t.(lt), 12,400 t.(fl)
    Length 483' 10"
    Beam 61' 1"
    Draft 16' 2"
    Speed 14 kts.
    Complement 233 (AP)
    Troop Accommodations 1,695; (AP)
    Patients 477 (AH)
    Armament (AP) eight 5 guns, two 3"/50 guns, two 1-pdrs
    Propulsion reciprocating engine, single screw, 4,400hp
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    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    USS Henderson
    Henderson 112k
    Namesake

    USS Henderson was named for Archibald Henderson, who was born in Fairfax County, Va., 21 January 1783, and was appointed a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps 4 June 1806. He served in Constitution during her famous victories in the War of 1812. He was appointed Colonel Commandant of the Marine Corps 17 October 1820. Colonel Henderson served in the field during the Indian Wars and held the post of Commandant for 38 years, longer than any other man. Under his leadership the Corps developed into a formidable arm of the nation's naval forces. General Henderson died suddenly 6 January 1859.
    Photo: USMC History Division    		 Bill Gonyo
    Henderson 100k Henderson "was the first large ship to be gyro-stabilized. The stabilizing unit was installed while the ship was being built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. This view of the whole ship, taken on 13 April 1917, shows the size of the stabilizer compared to the ship. The gyros being installed through the side of the ship, weigh four-fifths of one per cent of the displacement of the ship, approximately 80 tons. The gyros are capable of holding the ship down to three degrees of roll in the roughest weather. On numerous trans-Atlantic crossings experiments have been conducted, rolling the ship with the stabilizers for experimental director gun fire as well as stabilizing the ship for economy in effort in operation and comfort of personnel on board. Henderson was well fitted for these experiments, being equipped with eight five-inch guns and a complete fire control director." (quoted from the original 1917-vintage photo caption)
    US Navy photo # NH 53509 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Henderson 100k Henderson's "gyroscopic stabilizers being installed through the side of the ship while in dry dock at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 13 April 917. To accomplish this, the two gyro units were placed on a barge and docked with the ship. Two plates were then removed from the side of the ship, and the gyros were skidded down on to their foundations inside. Each of the gyro units weighed about 30 tons." (quoted from the original 1917-vintage photo caption).
    US Navy photo # NH 53509 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, photo courtesy of Sperry-Rand Corporation.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Henderson 81k USS Henderson at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, 9 June 1917, preparing for her trial trip. The searchlights above the bridge were soon lowered. The boat crane aft has not yet been installed.
    US Navy photo # NH 53505, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 US National Archives
    Henderson 63k USS Henderson departing the United States on her third wartime trip to Europe with Nurses, Officers and Marines on board, circa 1917. The boat crane aft has not yet been installed.
    US Navy photo # NH 99380, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, collection of Arthur J. Rozett.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Henderson 72k USS Henderson underway, probably circa early 1918 before the boat crane was added to the main mast.
    US Navy photo # NH 99381 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, collection of Commander (Chaplain) Haines H. Lippincott, donated by his sister in 1973.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Henderson 71k USS Henderson at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, 22 April 1918, after completing several transatlantic trooping voyages. A large boat crane has been added to her main mast and both masts have prominent tops. She has recently been painted in a pattern camouflage scheme. Three of her eight 5"/50 guns are visible.
    US Navy photo # NH 53506 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    USS Henderson (AP-1)
    Henderson 81k USS Henderson (AP-1) at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA., 23 March 1921. Panoramic photograph by Crosby, 324 First Street, Portsmouth, VA.
    US Navy photo # NH 99370 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, collection of Lawrence E. Archambeault, Sr. Donated by his son, George R. Archambeault, September 1987.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Henderson 66k USS Henderson (AP-1) at anchor, March 1922, place unknown.
    US Navy photo # NH 1031 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Henderson 106k USS Henderson (AP-1) at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA., 20 May 1922, just before sailing for Japan with Secretary of the Navy Denby and the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1881. USS T-1 (SS-52) is to the right, alongside USS Fulton (AS-1), and the upperworks of two colliers are visible in the background.
    US Navy photo # NH 82524 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, courtesy of W. E. and R. W. Bennington, 1974, from the collection of William E. Bennington.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Henderson 113k USS Henderson (AP-1) Photographed from an aircraft while flying the flag of Secretary of the Navy Edwin Denby and returning a gun salute in the early 1920s. USS Wyoming (BB-32) or USS Arkansas (BB-33) is in the background, with crew manning the rails.
    US Navy photo # NH 53241 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, courtesy of W. E. and R. W. Bennington, 1974, from the collection of William E. Bennington.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Henderson 82k USS Henderson (AP-1) departing Ragusa, Italy, in 1923 with crewmen of USS Pittsburgh (CA-4), the flagship of Naval Forces in Europe, and other personnel on board for transportation home. The forecastle of Pittsburgh is in the foreground.
    US Navy photo # NH 99414, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, collection of Chief Boatswain Mate George Behrens.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Henderson 71k USS Henderson (AP-1) with Secretary of the Navy Curtis D. Wilbur on board in August 1925.
    US Navy photo # NH 53504, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Henderson 78k USS Henderson (AP-1) preparing to land Marines at Corinto, Nicaragua, in March 1927. Note, the base of the ship's large crane at the after end of the main superstructure.
    US Navy photo # NH 99383, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, collection of John Spector, donated by Mrs. Minnie Spector in 1976.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Henderson 82k USS Henderson (AP-1) landing Marines at Corinto, Nicaragua, in March 1927.
    US Navy photo # NH 99382, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, collection of John Spector, donated by Mrs. Minnie Spector in 1976.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Henderson 52k USS Henderson (AP-1) in port at anchor during the 1920s or 1930s.
    US Navy photo # NH 99412 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, collection of Chief Boatswain Mate Ralph B. Turpin, donated in 1963.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Henderson 81k USS Henderson (AP-1) underway between the wars. Note, the boat crane and the large nest of boats aft of the main superstructure.
    US Navy photo # NH 53503 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Henderson 70k Aerial view of USS Henderson (AP-1) alongside an unidentified pier during the 1920s or 1930s. Note, the battleship-style crane at the after end of the superstructure for handling the ship's many large boats. The ship may be in the process of embarking or disembarking troops.US Navy photo # NH 99309 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center. US Naval Historical Center
    Henderson 54k USS Henderson (AP-1) underway, circa 1920s, location unknown. Robert M. Cieri
    Henderson 74k USS Henderson (AP-1) preparing to depart Shanghai, China, 15 June1931. Manuel Tafoya Sr.
    Henderson 98k USS Henderson (AP-1) at Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone, on 6 January 1933. Photographed from an aircraft based at Naval Air Station, Coco Solo. Note, the open cargo hatch forward of the bridge.
    US Navy photo # NH 99308 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Henderson 78k USS Henderson (AP-1) transiting the Panama Canal before World War II.US Navy photo # NH 68979 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1969. US Naval Historical Center
    Henderson 39k USS Henderson (AP-1) underway, prior to World War II. This image is from a set of ship recognition cards, circa 1935-1940. John Chiquoine
    USS Bountiful (AH-9)
    Bountiful 87k Aft plan view of Bountiful (AH-9) at General Engineering and Dry Dock, Co., Oakland, CA. while undergoing conversion to a Hospital Ship, 18 March 1944.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 1831-44.    		 Darryl Baker
    Bountiful 70k USS Bountiful (AH-9) off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 27 March 1944, four days after recommissioning as a hospital ship and before being painted with hospital ship markings.
    US Naval Historical Center photo # NH 103569 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center..    		 Robert Hurst
    Bountiful 89k USS Bountiful (AH-9) underway off Guam, 24 July 1944, three days after the initial landings.
    US National Archives photo # 80-G-256987 a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives. Photographed from New Mexico (BB-40).    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Bountiful 71k USS Bountiful (AH-9) at Ulithi Atoll, Caroline Islands, 24 March 1945.
    US Naval Historical Center photo # NH 103574 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center..    		 Robert Hurst
    Bountiful 81k USS Bountiful (AH-9) taking casualties on board from USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) on 12 May 1945, one day after the carrier was devastated by a kamikaze attack. USS The Sullivans (DD-537) is in the foreground. Photographed by PhoM2/c F. W. Pataye, USN of Commander Service Squadron 6.
    US National Archives photo # 80-G-350765 a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Bountiful 74k USS Bountiful (AH-9) taking casualties on board from USS Enterprise (CV-6), 15 May 1945, a day after the carrier had been hit by a kamikaze in the vicinity of the forward elevator.
    US Navy photo # NH 99384-A from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, collection of Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, donated in 1973-75.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Bountiful 65k USS Bountiful (AH-9) at anchor in a Southwestern Pacific port in 1944-45. An Australian cruiser, either HMAS Australia or Shropshire, is in the left distance.
    US National Archives photo # 80-G-K-2138 a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Bountiful 64k USS Bountiful (AH-9) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Naval Hospital Corps School Web Site
    Bountiful 730k USS Bountiful (AH-9) at anchor off Mare Island Navy Yard, 5 October 1945.
    US Naval Historical Center photo # NH 103573 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 Robert Hurst
    Bountiful 71k USS Bountiful (AH-9) at anchor in San Francisco Bay, CA., between August 1945 and May 1946.
    US Navy photo # NH 98752 from the collections of the US Naval Historic Center. Donation of Boatswain's Mate First Class Robert G. Tippins, USN (Retired), 2003.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    View the USS Henderson (AP-1) / USS Bountiful (AH-9)
    DANFS History entry located at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    The USS Henderson - Transport of the U.S. Marines, 1916~1946
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Service Force Ship Type Index Back To The Transport (AP) Photo Index Back To The Hospital Ship (AH) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 21 March 2008