>From the “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,” 

(1968) Vol. 3, p.349.





HOLLANDIA



CVE-97

Displacement:  7,800 t.

Length:  512’3”

Beam:  65’

Extreme Width:  108’1”

Draft:  22’6”

Speed:  19 k.

Complement:  860

Armament:  1 5”; 16 40mm

Class:  CASABLANCA

Maritime Commission standard type:  S4-S2-BB3



	HOLLANDIA (CVE-97), formerly AVG-97 and ACV-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 3d 

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.





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com