Sanctuary III The Sanctuary III was a modified " Pelta " - class frigate in the service of the Galactic Republic . Its role as an armed and armored hospital ship was instrumental in the effort to curb losses during the Clone Wars . Just before the Battle of the Kaliida Nebula in 21 BBY , the " Sanctuary III " was one of several in a convoy of " Pelta " - class frigates sent from the planet Naboo to assist in the transportation of wounded clone troopers from the Republic ' s Kaliida Shoals Medical Center before the " Haven " - class medical station could be destroyed by the approaching Separatist warship " Malevolence " . Description . Built by Kuat Drive Yards , the Galactic Republic ' s " Sanctuary III " was a red , white , and yellow - colored " Pelta " - class frigate marked with red stripes on its upper - starboard and lower - port auxiliary wings to uniquely identify it , unlike the more commonly symmetrical striped wings of other " Pelta " - class frigates . Proprietary to the Republic , the ship was not available for sale to outside organizations . During the Clone Wars , protection as well as medical attention was required for wounded clone troopers as they healed . The " Sanctuary III " was well - suited to the task , as it was not only well armored , but could also withstand a sudden ambush . Though not able to inflict a great amount of damage , the " Sanctuary III " turbolaser batteries were capable of delivering more firepower than a normal ship of its size . Although maneuverability with its sublight drive was poor — despite its variable wing auxiliary engines — the hospital ship was equipped to evade enemy attacks with a deflector shield generator rated higher than others of its class and a hyperdrive that propelled it through hyperspace . In addition , maintenance droid s and fire control systems helped effect repairs to battle damage in a timely fashion , thus keeping the medical frigate operational and its clone trooper patients alive . History . In 21 BBY , the " Sanctuary III " participated in a convoy of at least four " Pelta " - class frigates sent from the planet Naboo to evacuate stabilized wounded clone patients from the Republic ' s " Haven " - class medical station , the Kaliida Shoals Medical Center . This operation was time - sensitive due to the imminent arrival of the Separatist warship " Malevolence " , a " Subjugator " - class heavy cruiser . Armed with two giant ion pulse cannon s capable of wiping out entire fleets , the heavy cruiser — under the command of the Confederate General Grievous — was on its way to destroy the medical station from which the " Sanctuary III " and its sister ships were evacuating the clones . The " Sanctuary III " completed its part of the mission and was gone from the facility before the arrival of the " Malevolence " , which was ultimately destroyed by Republic forces . Behind the scenes . Before its appearance in the episode " Shadow of " Malevolence " , " which aired on October 10 , 2008 , the " Sanctuary III " was previewed earlier in October 2008 as a miniature in the " Clone Wars Tactics " expansion of the " Star Wars PocketModel TCG " collection , which was later released on November 12 , 2008 .