to ride out the great typhoon, Hydrus remained at anchor off Okinawa until 25 September. She then sailed to Manus to embark units of a Marine Air Group for the occupation of the Chinese mainland. The transport arrived at Tsingtao 17 October to put ashore her cargo and passengers, thus helping to speed the occupation and help stabilize the explosive internal situation in China. She subsequently embarked additional troops in the Philippines and carried them to Taku, China, 14 November. Her role in the Chinese occupation over, Hydrus was assigned duty with "Magic Carpet", the gigantic operation for the return of Pacific veterans. She sailed from Shanghai 6 December and arrived at Seattle 23 December. Post-war Designated for return to the Maritime Commission, the ship sailed 11 January for the East Coast and arrived at New York 2 February. There Hydrus was selected as a training ship for the New York State Maritime Academy, and steamed up the East River to Fort Schuyler 6 March 1946. She decommissioned there 26 March and became Empire State II. After a 10-year career as a training ship for future maritime officers, the ship was placed in the Maritime Commission's National Defense Reserve Fleet in June 1956. She remained there until being sold in April 1964 to Union Minerals & Alloys Corp., of New York, and scrapped. Awards Hydrus received one battle star for World War II service. References External links NavSource Online: AKA-28 Hydrus 51 Years of AKAs Artemis-class attack cargo ships World War II amphibious warfare vessels of the United States Training ships of the New York State Merchant Marine Academy Ships built in Providence, Rhode Island 1944 ships