>From the "Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships," (1969) Vol. 4, pp.461-462 MUSKINGUM A county in Ohio. AK-198 Displacement: 8,370 t. Length: 338'6" Beam: 50'0" Draft: 23'0" Speed: 11.5 k. Complement: 85 Armament: 1 3" Class: ALAMOSA Maritime Commission Standard Type: C1-M-AV1 MUSKINGUM, a cargo ship, was laid down 28 January 1944; launched by Globe Shipbuilding Co., Superior, Wis., 30 June 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Henry Larson; and commissioned 24 April 1945 at Houston, Tex., Lt. M. H. Bryant in command. After shakedown, she departed Gulfport, Miss., 26 May 1945 with cargo for the Pacific. She arrived at Subic Bay, Philippines, 4 August 1945 via the Panama Canal and Manus, the Admiralties. The next few months were spent in carrying passengers and freight between Philippine ports. She departed Tacloban, Leyte, 24 January 1946, arriving Yokohama 31 January. The ship was decommissioned 7 March 1946 and turned over to the War Shipping Administration for future transfer to the Army Transportation Corps. She was stricken from the Navy list 5 June 1946. The cargo ship was designated V-208 and operated between ports in Japan, Korea, and the Marianas under control of the Japanese Merchant Marine. Overall control was exercised by Supreme Commander of Allied Forces, Japan. MUSKINGUM was operated by Japanese under jurisdiction of the U.S. Army until 1 July 1950, when she was reinstated on the Navy list for operations under Military Sea Transportation Service WesPac. During the Korean War, she carried supplies between Japan and Korea. Since 1951, AK-198 has been under control of MSTS Far East, operating out of Japan. Besides providing logistical support for U.S. forces in Korea, MUSKINGUM carries supplies to American and Allied forces in South Vietnam. [MUSKINGUM was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register and transferred to the U.S. Department of the Interior on 15 June 1973. She was transferred again to the "Trust Territory of Pacific," on 1 April 1982.] “Jane’s Fighting Ships, 1974-75,” p.499 Internet Web Site: Naval Vessel Register www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/AK198.htm Transcribed by Michael Hansen mhansen2@home.com