EmpireStateIV
TSES Empire State IV(1959-1973)
[Former USNS HENRY GIBBINS (T-AP-183)]
Empire State III began to show signs of wear and tear as a result of the extensive use of the vessel in World War II and a replacement was sought. The USNS Henry Gibbins, was available and selected. The Gibbins, an Army transport, launched in 1942 as the Biloxi was delivered to the Army Transportation Service on February 27, 1943. She was renamed Henry Gibbins saw service in the European Theater during World War II. She was made famous in the book Haven which recounted the memorable voyage in 1944 when she carried 1000 Jewish Refugees from Italy to the United States under an order signed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. After the war, the Gibbins transported war brides from Europe to the United States. In 1950, she was transferred to the Navy's Military Sea Transportation Service and was used extensively as a troop transport until 1959. In 1959, she was transferred to the Maritime Administration, renamed Empire State IV and assigned as the newest training ship for the New York Maritime College. She had excellent spaces for training ship use and also had two geared turbines.
