Wooden boats of World War II

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USN wooden subchaser SC-497, first of its class of subchaser that served in World War II USN wooden subchaser SC-497.jpg
USN wooden subchaser SC-497, first of its class of subchaser that served in World War II
85-foot wooden crash boat P-520 on the Willamette River in Portland in 2007 USAF WWIIP-520crash rescueboat.jpg
85-foot wooden crash boat P-520 on the Willamette River in Portland in 2007
PT-105 underway USS PT-105.jpg
PT-105 underway

Splinter fleet or Splinter navy was a nickname given to the United States wooden boats used in World War II. The boats served in many different roles during the war. These boats were built in small boatyards on the West coast and East coast, Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico. They could be built quickly, in just 60 to 120 days. Most of the boats were built by boatyards that already had the tools and knowledge from building yachts, sailboats and motor boats. Many were built by craftsmen in family-owned small businesses. Under the Emergency Shipbuilding Program and War Shipping Administration contracts went out to over fifty boatyards across the country. The boats were built for the US Navy, the United States Army Air Forces, United States Coast Guard, and US Army. Some of the wooden boats went to Allied nations on the Lend-Lease program. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

In addition to new boat construction, some wooden boats built between 1910 and 1941 were acquired for the war effort, some used as-is and others converted for war use. Wooden boats have lighter weight and are easier to repair than steel hull boats. These wooden boats ranged from 19 to 200 feet in length. Some worked near shore and others working in the open ocean, called the Blue-water navy. The Splinter fleet is in contrast to the more common steel hull war ships and Merchant Marine ships. After the war, many of these boats were deemed not needed. Many were abandoned or destroyed, a few served in the Korean War and a few in the Vietnam War, some sold to private and some donated. During World War I there was a debate as to if wooden boats and ships should be used in war time. William Denman, President of the Emergency Fleet Corporation supported the building of wooden ships for the war and General Goethals disapproved. In the end, both men turned in their resignation over the heated debate. During World War II the situation was different. There was a shortage of steel and steel shipyards, so there was no debate about the need for a vast wooden fleet of boats and ships. [4] [5] [6]

Submarine chaser

Submarine chaser USS SC-26 USS SC-26 replacement.gif
Submarine chaser USS SC-26

Submarine chasers (hull designation "SC") were built to combat the threat U-boats put on merchant convoys as they departed American ports to support the Allies. These are wooden 110-foot (34 m) and 98 tons boats used in anti-submarine warfare. [7] [8] [9] By the time the war ended 438 sub chasers had been launched and commissioned. US Navy boats were armed with one 3"/50 caliber gun, one Bofors 40 mm gun, three Oerlikon 20 mm cannons, two rocket launchers, four K-guns and Mousetraps and two depth charge racks. By the end of World War II, submarine chasers had sunk around 67 German U-boats. Submarine chasers, destroyers, destroyer escorts and Anti-submarine aircraft has ended the U-boat as a major threat in the Battle of the Atlantic. Theodore R. Treadwell wrote a book called Splinter Fleet: The Wooden Subchasers of World War II in 2000 outlining the work of the 40,000 men that served on Submarine chaser in the open seas. Examples: USS SC-498 and USS SC-497. [10] [11]

Crash boats

63-foot crash boat NH96504 63-footair-searescueboat.jpg
63-foot crash boat

Crash boats of World War II were wooden speed boats built to rescue the crew of downed United States and other Allies airplanes during World War II. By the end of World War II, America had produced 300,000 planes, creating a need to have crash rescue boats, also called Recovery Craft, stationed around the globe. These boats were fast boats used to rescue pilots, crew, and passengers from downed aircraft in search and rescue, air-sea rescue missions. The boats were as small as 22-foot and the largest 104-foot. There were four standard designs used: 104-foot, 85-foot, 63-foot and 42-foot. [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] Most were manned by the United States Army Air Forces. Many had the Hull classification designation Air Rescue Boats or ARB or AVR or P or C or R. The 104-foot had a cold-weather option, that added a heating system, ice protection on the hull, insulation for working around Gulf of Alaska and Aleutian Islands. Most were used in the Pacific war bases across the vast South Pacific, in the Island hopping campaign. Before departing most were part of the US Navy Small Craft Training Centers for training troops and sea trials. [17] [18] [19]

PT boats

PT-9 torpedo boat PT-9 torpedo boat Washington DC 1940.jpg
PT-9 torpedo boat

PT (Patrol Torpedo) boats are well known as these small boats were heavily armed, pound for pound the deadliest boats of the war, also called motor torpedo boats. The main anti-ship weapon was four 21-inch Mark 8 torpedoes, each with a 466-pound (211 kg) TNT warhead. These had a range of 16,000 yards (15,000 m) at 36 knots (67 km/h). For anti-aircraft defense they had two twin .50-inch (1,300 mm) M2 Browning heavy machine guns. Some PTs had a 20 mm (0.79 in) Oerlikon cannon added. [20] [21] [22] The boats were powered with three Packard 4M-2500 and later 5M-2500 supercharged gasoline-fueled, liquid-cooled V-12 marine engines. Boats had a top speed of 41 knots (76 km/h; 47 mph) with 4,500 horsepower. PT boats were built in eleven US boatyards, by the end of the war 808 were built in three lengths: 70, 78 and 80-foot. After the war most were destroyed and some sold. The three high HP engines used a high amount of fuel and the boats were deemed not usable anymore. The PT boat squadrons were nicknamed "the mosquito fleet" and "devil boats" by the Japanese. [23] [24] [25]

Motor torpedo boat

British MTB in the Mediterranean in February 1945 Britishmtb.jpg
British MTB in the Mediterranean in February 1945

Some US boatyards built motor torpedo boats (MTBs) for the United Kingdom. [26] [27] These were similar to US PT boats, but using British armament, types MTB or BPT. Armed with 18-inch (457 mm) torpedo tubes, Oerlikon 20 mm cannon, and two 0.303 in Vickers K machine guns or two Vickers .50 machine guns). Most also had four depth charges. The US built 136 of the 70-foot Vosper for the Royal Navy. Motor torpedo had a crew of 13. [28] [29] They were powered by three Packard V1-12 marine engines. MTB 259 to MTB 268, MTB 307 to MTB 316 and BPT 8 to 20 were built by ELCO Y. MTB 419 to MTB 423 were built by Higgins Industries in New Orleans, Louisiana. MTB 396 to MTB 411 were built by Jacob, Robert in City Island, New York. MTB 275 to MTB 378 were built by Annapolis Yacht Yard in Annapolis, Maryland. MTB 287 to MTB 294 were built by Herreshoff Manufacturing. [30] [31]

Minesweepers

USS YMS-143 Minesweeper USS YMS-143.jpg
USS YMS-143 Minesweeper

Minesweepers removed or detonate naval mines blocking ports and shipping lanes. Minesweepers were 80 to 136-foot boats. A wood hull boat was preferred for minesweepers, as some mines were magnetically activated. For the war 481 136-foot wood hull Minesweepers were built. The Hull designation was YMS for Yard Minesweeper. [32] [33] [34] They were armed with two 20mm cannons and one 3”/50 caliber gun. There were many different class minesweepers. Examples: USS Accentor (AMc-36), [35] The US Navy operated several classes of Minesweepers: YMS-1-class minesweeper, Hawk-class minesweeper, Kite-class minesweeper. [36] [37]

Small coastal transport

APc-101 Small coastal transport APc101US Navy.jpg
APc-101 Small coastal transport

Small coastal transports or APc-1 class ships were small troopships. These ships were assigned to the Pacific War where they transported supplies, personnel and munitions around the Island hopping campaign. Most were the wooden hull Accentor minesweeper modified to carry 60 troops and their gear to a combat zones. The Small coastal transport, APC, were able to get in shallow ports. Many of the ships were under threat of air, sea and submarine attack. A few ships of the class received battle stars for combat valor, including USS APc-15, USS APc-22, USS APc-25 and USS APc-26. The wooden-hulled ships were built by many different shipyards. Following the war, many of them were converted to fishing vessels. Examples: USS APc-15, built by Camden Ship Building, USS APc-21, built by Hodgdon Brothers, sank December 17, 1943 during landing in the Battle of Arawe, was struck by a bomb during an enemy air attack off Arawe, New Britain, USS APc-25, built by Fulton Shipyard, renamed Cape Scott then Cape Cross. [38] [39] [40] The specifications for modified coastal minesweepers redesign, where given by the District Craft Development Board on April 20, 1942, The redesign gave three planned uses for new APc transport ships: [39] [41] [42]

Net layers

USS Baretta (AN-41) Net layer L45-19.04.02 USS Baretta (AN-41).png
USS Baretta (AN-41) Net layer

Net laying boats of World War II built with wooden hulls were the Ailanthus-class net laying ships. The bow of the ship has a specialized net layer. Other steel-hulled Net laying ships were built. The net layer ship placed steel anti-torpedo or anti-submarine nets to protect ports. If needed steel nets were placed around Capital ships or a group of ships when at risk anchored. Net laying ships were armed with one 3"/50 caliber gun and two to four 20 mm. Built by Everett Pacific Shipbuilding & Drydock Company of Everett, Washington, and for YN 67–76 to the Pollock-Stockton Shipbuilding Company of Stockton, California. [43] [44] [45] [46] The Ailanthus-class net laying ships had a tonnage of 1,100 long tons (1,118 t) GRT, a length of 194–198 ft (59–60 m), a beam of 34.5–37 ft (10.5–11.3 m), a draft of 11.75–13 ft (3.58–3.96 m). Powered by Diesel-electric engines with one shaft, 1,500 hp (1,119 kW). A top speed of 12 knots (14 mph; 22 km/h). Armed with one 3"/50 caliber gun, two and later boats, four single 20 mm AA. [47]

Tugboats

Red Cloud YTB-268 a V2-ME-A1 type Tugboat USN Tug Red Cloud YTB-268.jpg
Red Cloud YTB-268 a V2-ME-A1 type Tugboat

With the building of many new ships, Auxiliary floating drydocks and barges for the war, there was a demand for more tugboats. Both new wood and steel hull tugs were built. The largest wooden hull tugboat was the 148-foot (45 m) V3-S-AH2. One of the smaller wooden hull tugboats was the 58-foot (18 m) V2-M-AL1, of which 35 were built. Most V2-M-AL1 tugboats were sent to England for the war efforts under the lend-lease act. Tugs served across the globe during Work War II. SS Farallon and other Type V tugs were used to help built Normandy ports, including Mulberry harbour, on D-Day, June 6, 1944, and made nine round trips to Normandy to deliver Phoenix breakwaters. The type V3-S-AH2 was a wood hull tug at 1,220 tons also sent to Britain. The V2-M-AL1 were wood tug of the Port Sewall class, All were named American ports, most sent to Britain. Auxiliary ATR-1-class rescue tug was a wooden-hulled rescue tug at 1,315 tons fully loaded. [48] [49] For World War II the US Army had tugboats built to move cargo barges in harbors. [50] Small wood US Army MTL Harbor Tugboats, 14 model 324-A with a length of 47 feet, a beam of 12 feet. MTL is for Motor Towing Launch. The Army had built 1,251 marine tractors (MT) and marine tow launches (MTL) by 41 boatbuilders. MT tugs were either 26 feet or 36 feet (Design 329) in length and the MTL were 46 feet. [51] US Army TP Harbor Tug with displacement 185 tons gross, a length of 96 feet, a beam 25 feet, a draft of 11 feet, Power one Fairbanks–Morse six cylinder diesel engine to a single propeller with 450 shp. The TP is for "Tug/Passenger". The US Army had 43 of this 96-foot tugs built for World War II, Ackerman Boat Company` built 15 of them. [52] [53] [54] [55] US Army had built 170 of the 65-foot, diesel-powered, passenger / cargo boats. These could also be used as harbor tugs. These were known as tug-transports, or T-boats. [56]

Patrol boat

The 83-foot CGC-624 (later USCG-14) in 1942 CGC-624.jpg
The 83-foot CGC-624 (later USCG-14) in 1942

Wooden-hulled 83-foot patrol boats were used in the United States Coast Guard as patrol boats, also called cutters. Used as patrol craft and rescue craft. The US Coast Guard was active in support of amphibious activity in other the Normandy landings and Pacific War amphibious landing. Landing small woodcraft in the surf was a skill the Coast Guard had and was called on to help with. Coast Guard used not only Patrol boats but many other wood boats and landing craft. [57] [58] The 83-foot patrol had two 600-horsepower "Viking 2nd" Model TCG-8 inline eight-cylinder gasoline engines built by Sterling Engine Company. The boats displacement 76 tons when fully loaded. They were 83 ft (25 m) in length, had a beam of 16 ft (4.9 m), and a height of 64 in (1,600 mm). For dangerous work Chris-Craft built 36-foot wooded Radio Controlled Patrol boats. [59] [60]

Yard patrol boats

Yard patrol boat USS YP-422 Yp422 large.jpg
Yard patrol boat USS YP-422

Patrol boats were as small as 22-foot and the largest 110-foot. Some were built new for the war and some were boats acquired for war use. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the US Navy leased many California tuna boats, most having refrigerated cargo holds were valuable assets for the Navy to deliver fresh goods to troops. Men that had knowledge of these boats were needed. On February 16, 1942, the Navy asked tuna skippers and crews “The Navy needs men to man the [clippers] — experienced men, like yourselves. Needless to say, duty in the war zones will be hazardous.” Over 600 men volunteered to work on the boats and join the Navy. The tuna boats were made Navy boats and patrolled the US coasts, the Panama Canal and served in several battles of the South Pacific, including the Battle of Guadalcanal. Examples: USS YP-72, USS YP-422 and USS YP-74. [61] [62] New boats were also built both with and without refrigerated cargo holds most working in the South Pacific. [63] [64] [65] Over 250 tons of refrigerated cargo could be carried in ten wood and four steel refrigerated wells. Accommodations were provided for three officers and twenty men. These vessels were designed for easy conversion to tuna clippers post war. [64] [66] [67]

Picket boat

38-foot United States Coast Guard Picket boat US Coast Guard 38 ft picket boat.jpg
38-foot United States Coast Guard Picket boat

Picket boats were used as harbor patrol boats. Picket boats were usually small boats between 30 and 55 feet. Picket boats also did other close-to-shore work. Most were operated by the United States Coast Guard. Due to their small size, the US Navy often carried them on larger ships to work in remote ports. The name comes from picket troops used in patrols. A series of 600 38 feet (12 m). standard 38-foot (12 m) Cabin Picket Boats were built between 1932 and 1943. These boats had a top speed of 25-knots, a single gasoline engine, and had a crew of 2 or 3 and space for 10. The other standard size was a 36-foot Cabin Picket Boat. The 36 and 38-foot were based on the Sea Bright Skiff fishing boat design. To protect the hull the boats had ice sheathing. For the war, some were armed with small 25-pound depth charges and Marlin machine guns. The Picket boats also did anti-submarine missions, anti-submarine nets checked, frogmen patrols, crash boat work, and sunk ship rescue work. The 38-foots are: Hull numbers CG for USCG, have a displacement of 15,700-pounds (8 tons), a beam: of 10.33 feet, a draft of 3 feet, the fuel of 240 gallons, and range of 175 miles. Power was from either a Hall Scott Model 168 270 hp V6s, 300 hp Sterling Dolphins, Murray, and Tregurtha 325s, or a 225 hp Kermath engine. The 36-foots boats: Have two cabinets, displacement of 10,000 lb (4.5 t)ons), a beam of 8.9 feet, a draft of 30 inches, a Crew of 3, fuel of 240 gallons, power from one engine with 180 HP from Consolidated Speedway MR-6 six-cylinder gasoline engine. Top speed of 20-25 knots with a range of 175 miles. [68] [69] [70]

Fireboat

Hoga (YT-146) fire-fighting tug 80-G-312058.jpg
Hoga (YT-146) fire-fighting tug

During the war, there were tugboats with fire-fighting gear, dedicated fireboats and some minesweepers that had firefight capability added to the boat. [71] [72] [73] Some US Coast Guard cutters and Patrol Boats also have firefight capability added. Example: The Atlantic III was a wood hull fireboat built in 1943 in Brownsville, Texas, after the war served in Wilmington, North Carolina. Higgins Industries built fireboats called J Boats for the US Army. Example:Hoga (YT-146) fire-fighting tug at Pearl Harbor in 1941. USS Marabout (AMc-50) was a firefighting minesweeper. [74] [75] [76] [77]

Wood barges

YS-110 with a crawler crane US Navy wooden barge YS-110withcrawlercraneUSNavywoodenbarge.jpg
YS-110 with a crawler crane US Navy wooden barge

A number of different types of wood barges were used in the war. A flat bottom Wood Barges could be used in shallow ports or be tow onto beaches. They were low cost to build and could be abandoned after used if needed. With the shortage of steel, a fleet of wood barges was built. Due to the shortage of steel, a fleet of Concrete Barges were also built. To stop hull wood rot, some have copper-sheathed hulls. [78] [79] Martha's Vineyard Ship Building Company in Vineyard Haven, MA built 110-foot wood barges for the US Navy at 250 tons in 1942 (YC-843 to YC-847). YS-110 was a 80-foot wood barge with a 40-foot beam. She had a flat deck and was built in the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard in 1943. [80] YS-88 was a 100-foot wood barge with a 42-foot beam. Built in the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard in 1941. [81]

Motor launch

US Navy Motor Launch, loaded on the USS Houston (CA-30), used to get to shore USNavymotorlaunch.jpg
US Navy Motor Launch, loaded on the USS Houston (CA-30), used to get to shore

A motor launch has an open deck and often is used to ferry passengers from large ships to shore or other boats. [82] [66] [83] [84] Some launches were also mounted with one or more machine guns and used as patrol boats. Motor launches (ML) were 20 to 115-foot long. They were also used in rescue missions if needed. Motor Launch Ambulance Boats were give the hull letter J. Example: USS Pilgrim II (YFB-30). Madden and Lewis Company built Harbour Defence Motor Launches, Q 1183 to Q 1186 in 1943. Harbour Defence Motor Launches have a length of 76 feet, a beam of 16 feet a draft: 5 feet and a displacement of 54-tons. HDML had two engines. They had a crew of 10 men, armed with one 3 or 4-pounder gun and four .303 AA guns. They had a top speed of 11 knots. [85] [86] [87] [88]

Command boats

The US Army needed boats to supervise beach landing and other near-shore activities. Wooden boats of different lengths were acquired and give the destination Q boats for HQ, headquarter. John & Associates built 72 Q – HQ boats in 1943. AC Command boats 22- to 63-foot and used as launches and passenger boats also. Hull QS boats were also used as communication boats. The US Army also has CS ships for communications relays. Example: USS Volador (IX-59). [89] [90]

Landing craft

For the Normandy landings and the Pacific island-hopping war, many different beach landing craft were needed. Some like the large, Landing Ship, Tank were made with a steel hull. But most of the small and medium landing crafts were made of wood. Key design of the landing craft is a flat bottom, shallow draft, and protection for the propeller so it does not hit the sea floor. [91] [92]

Landing craft LCVP

USS Darke (APA-159)'s LCVP 18, at Okinawa in 1945. Darke APA-159 - LCVP 18.jpg
USS Darke (APA-159)'s LCVP 18, at Okinawa in 1945.

The Higgins Boat or also called the LCVP for landing craft, vehicle, personnel could take 36 troops to shore. LCVP were plywood 36 ft (11 m) long and just under 11 ft (3.4 m) wide. The Higgins boat was used to place a jeep with 12 troops or up to 8,000 pounds of cargo on the beach. To unload a front steel ramp would drop on the beach. After unloading the craft would reverse and back off the beach. The LCVP was lightly armed with two .30 cal. Browning machine guns. Thousands of LCVP were built for the war. The LCVP had a top speed of 12 knots. A LCVP is on display in The National WWII Museum. [93] [94] [95]

Landing Craft, Personnel (Ramped)

Before the LCVP, Andrew Higgins first ramped landing craft was the Landing Craft, Personnel (Ramped) or LCP(R). The Landing Craft, Personnel (Ramped) could take 30 to 36 troops or 6,700 to Or 8,100 lb. of cargo to a beach. Landing Craft, Personnel (Ramped) are 35 feet 10 inches long and a beam of 10 feet 9 inches, and a draft of 2 feet 6 inches aft. The top speed is 11 knots with a range of 80 to 200 miles. They were armed with two .30 cal. 303 Lewis gun and has a crew of 3. The LCP(R) was used in beach landing on North Africa, Guadalcanal, Salerno, and Tarawa. By D-day the very similar LCVP had replaced the Landing Craft, Personnel (Ramped). [96]

Landing Craft, Personnel (Large) LCP(L)

LCP(L) lands reinforcements on Guadalcanal Reinforcements land on Guadalcanal.jpg
LCP(L) lands reinforcements on Guadalcanal

Landing Craft, Personnel (Large) or LCP (L) were used to bring troops from ship to beaches, like the LCVP, but without a ramp. LCP(L) were carried to the combat zone by large ships and lowered into the water. They were built from pine planks and plywood with some light armor plates. They were first built in New Orleans, Louisiana, as more were needed other boatyards built them. They had a crew of 3 and could transport 36 troops at top speed of 8 knots (13 km/h). They had a displacement of 13,500 pounds light and 21,600 pounds loaded. They are 36 feet 8 inches in length, a beam of 10 feet 10 inches, and a draft of 2 feet 6 inches aft. light or 3 feet 6 inches aft. loaded. They can with either a gasoline engine with a 50 miles range or a diesel with 130 miles range. Armed with two Browning .30 cal. machine guns, or US manufactured Lewis .30 cal. machine guns. [97] [98]

Landing Craft, Personnel (Medium) LCP(M)

Landing Craft, Personnel (Medium) LCP(M) LandingCraftPersonnel(Medium)LCP(M).jpg
Landing Craft, Personnel (Medium) LCP(M)

Landing Craft, Personnel (Medium) or LCP(M) was constructed of wood. The craft had a shallow draft and a solid bow so it can be grounded safely on beaches. It also operated well in rocky coastlines. For loading and unloading the craft at the bow and stern four portable ladders were used. The craft could carry 20 troops with a range of 112 miles at the top speed of 7 knots loaded. The craft had a length of 39 feet, a beam of 10 feet, and displaced 4 tons lite and 7 tons loaded. The craft had a draft of 1-foot 6 inches forward and foot 7 inches aft. The craft was Armed with one .303 cal. Lewis gun. The craft was crewed by one officer per 3 craft and 3 men. Powered was from one Scripps Ford V- 8, 65-hp. engine to a single screw. The 100 gallons of gasoline fuel was stored in two fire-resistant covered tanks, called "Linatex. Two were lost in 1943: No.14 in November 1943 and No.17 was lost off Isle of Wight on January 5, 1943 [99] [92]

Landing Craft, Vehicle

Landing Craft, Vehicle built by Chris-Craft LandingCraftVehicle.jpg
Landing Craft, Vehicle built by Chris-Craft

Landing Craft, Vehicle (LCV) are small craft used for beach landings of troops and cargo. Close to the LCM design. The craft was carried to the beach on the deck of large ships like the APA, AKA, LST LSD or LCT, The craft can move one 1-ton truck, or 36 troops, or 10,000 lb. of cargo. Range of 68 miles at 9 knots top speed or 120 miles at 7 knots. The craft is 36 feet long, a beam of 10 feet and 10 inches, Displaced 7 tons lite and 11 tons loaded with a draft: 1' 6 forward and 2'6 aft. British craft armed with one .303 Lewis gun. Crew of 3 men and 1 officer per 3 craft. power from diesel or gasoline engine with 225 to 250 hp. Could move small vehicles like the jeep or a 37mm anti-tank gun. [100]

Landing Craft Assault

A new Landing Craft Assault A newly-completed LCA (assault landing craft) ready for launching, 1942. A9838.jpg
A new Landing Craft Assault

Landing Craft Assault was used mostly by the Royal Navy. The United States Army Rangers used and like the craft also as it had low silhouette, a shallow draft, little bow wave, quiet engines, a sturdy hull, and a good load capacity with on ramp. Landing Craft Assault had a displacement of 9 tons (9,144 kg), a length of 41.5 feet (12.6 m), a beam of 10 feet (3.0 m), a draft of 1-foot-1-inch (0.33 m) forward, 1-foot-9-inch (0.53 m) aft light and a draft loaded of 1-foot-9-inch (0.53 m) fwd, 2 feet 3 inches (0.69 m) aft. Powered by two 65 hp gas Ford V-8 with a top speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) light and 6 knots (11 km/h; 6.9 mph) loaded. The craft had a range of 50 to 80 miles. A LCA could carry 36 troops or 800 pounds (360 kg) of cargo. Crew of four: coxswain, two seamen (sternsheetsman and bowman-gunner) and mechanic-stoker) with one officer per group of three boats. Armed with one Bren light machine gun, two Lewis guns, and later two 2-inch mortars. DIHT, a heat-treated steel plate, was added over the hardwood planking to give some armor. [101] [102] [103] [104] and Normandy. Later in the war, the US built a similar craft the "Woofus" based on the LCM. [105] [106] [107] [108]

Landing Craft Support

Landing Craft Support Small Lcs (m) 47 FL7039.jpg
Landing Craft Support Small

Landing Craft Support crafts came in three types of wooden hulls: small, medium and large.

The Landing Craft Support small was close in design to the LCC. Landing Craft Support Small crafts were carried to the beach site by APA's or AKA's ships. Landing Craft Support Small crafts had a range of 115 miles at full speed. The top speed was 12 knots. Landing Craft Support Small is 36 feet long, had a beam of 11 feet, and had a draft of 3 feet and 6 inches, they displaced 20,000 lb lite. They were armed with two .50-cal or three .30-cal or one .50-cal and two .30-cal M.G. They fired with two barrage rocket projectors carried. For defense, some units had eight Matk III smoke pots. They had a crew of 6 and carried 180 gallons of fuel. [109]

Landing Craft Support Medium Lcs (m) 4 FL7024.jpg
Landing Craft Support Medium

Was used to provide landing support by firing rockets before the beach assault. Landing Craft Support Medium, LCS (M)(3). There was a later improved design with a pointed bow for better speed. Range 90 miles at top speed of 9 knots. A length of 41 feet, a beam, of 10 feet. Displaced 11.4 tons lite and 12.8 tons loaded. A draft of 1-foot 6 inches forward and 2 feet 11 inches aft. Armed with two 50 twin power-operated Vickers M.G., two .303 Lewis guns, one 4-inch smoke mortar. Had twelve Type 18 smoke generators. To protect wood hull had DIHT steel plating on hull sides and deck, bulkheads, and on conning tower and ammunition hoist. Had a crew of 1 officer, 3 men, 6 gun crew. Powered by two Ford V -8 Scripps gasoline engines with 65 hp each. Held 98 gals. of gasoline. [110]

Landing Craft Infantry (Small)

Landing Craft Infantry (Small), LCI(S) 507 Lci(s) 507 FL9821.jpg
Landing Craft Infantry (Small), LCI(S) 507

Landing Craft Infantry (Small) LCI(S) is a British infantry carrier design. The wooden hull design is like the LCS(L). Troops unloaded on four bow ramps. The LCI(S) transported six officers and 96 troops below deck. The LCI(S) has a range of 550 miles at 15 knots, top speed, and 700 miles at 12 knots. LCI(S) has a length of 105 feet, are 63 tons light, and 100 tons loaded. The beam is 21 feet, and draft 2 feet 10 inches forward and 3 feet 8 inches aft. with loaded. The craft is armed with: Two 20 mm guns. (some added two or more 20 mm guns); two .303 Lewis guns. For armor DIHT plating was added to the deck, sides, gun positions, generator house, and forward bulkhead. The ship had a crew of: Two officers and 15 men with housing. Powered by two Hall-Scott gasoline engines with 1,120 hp. Some were had 1,500 hp. with supercharger. The engines powered twin screws with silencers. Craft stored up to 4,000 gallons of gasoline. [111]

Other

There were many types of small wooden boats used during World War II, due to the size, these were normally made of wood, but some would not be included in the title of the Splinter fleet.

Boat builders

Wooden boat builders of World War II: [112]

CompanyCityState
American MachineryBeresfordFlorida [113]
Cambridge ShipbuildersCambridgeMaryland [114]
Camden ShipbuildingCambridgeMassachusetts [114]
Continental ShipbuildingBrooklynNew York [115]
Daytona Beach Boat WorksDaytona BeachFlorida [116]
Delaware Bay ShipbuildingLeesburgVirginia [117]
Dooley's Basin & Dry DockFort LauderdaleFlorida [118]
East Coast ShipyardsBayonneNew Jersey [119]
Elizabeth City Shipyard Elizabeth City North Carolina
Gar WoodAlgonacMichigan [120]
Harris & ParsonsEast GreenwichRhode Island [121]
John & AssociatesRyeNew York [90]
Knutson ShipbuildingHalesiteNew York [122]
Lancaster IronworksPerryvilleMassachusetts [123]
Manteo BoatbuildingManteoNorth Carolina [124]
Miami ShipbuildingMiamiFlorida [125]
Moyer & SonOcean CityNew Jersey [126]
Muzzio Bros.StamfordConnecticut [127]
New Jersey ShipbuildingBarberNew Jersey [128]
Northeast ShipbuildingQuiNorth CarolinayMassachusetts [129]
Penn-Jersey Shipbuilding CamdenNew Jersey [130]
Perkins & VirginiaughanWickfordRhode Island [131]
Robinson, W. A.IpswichMassachusetts [132]
Simms Bros.DorchesterMassachusetts [133]
Sullivan Drydock & Repair BrooklynNew York
Ventnor Boat WorksAtlantic CityNew Jersey [134]
Warren Boat YardWarrenRhode Island [135]
Wheeler ShipbuildingWhitestoneNew York [136]
Allen Boat CompanyHarveyLouisiana [137]
Decatur Iron & SteelDecaturAlabama [138]
Pendleton Shipyard Company New OrleansLouisiana [139]
Rice Brothers CompanyRockportTexas [140]
Smith's ShipyardPensacolaFlorida [141]
Warren FishPensacolaFlorida [142]
American CruiserTrentonMichigan [143]
Defoe Shipbuilding Company Bay CityMichigan
Bison ShipbuildingBuffaloNew York [144]
Chrysler Corp.DetroitMichigan [145]
Darby Steel ProductKansas CityKansas [146]
Eddy ShipbuildingBay CityMichigan [147]
Erie Concrete & SupplyEriePennsylvania [148]
Fisher BoatworksDetroitMichigan [149]
Inland WaterwaysDuluthMinnesota [150]
Kansas City SteelKansas CityKansas [151]
Kewaunee ShipbuildingKewauneeWisconsin [152]
Mount Vernon Bridge & IronIrontonOhio [153]
Niagara ShipbuildingBuffaloNew York [154]
Northwest EngineeringGreen BayWisconsin [155]
Odenbach ShipbuildingRochesterNew York [156]
Omaha Steel WorksOmahaNebraska [157]
Peterson & HaeckerMemphisNebraska [158]
Pidgeon-Thomas Iron WorksMemphisTennessee [159]
Pullman Company ChicagoIllinois [160]
Quincy BargebuildersQuincyIllinois [161]
Stadium Yacht BasinQuincyOhio [162]
Zenith Dredge CompanyDuluthMinnesota [163]
Ackerman Boat Company Newport BeachCalifornia
Anacortes ShipwaysAnacortesWashington [164]
Barbee Marine YardsRentonWashington [165]
Basalt Rock Company NapaCalifornia [166]
Birchfield ShipbuildingTacomaWashington [167]
Chilson ShipyardHoquiamWashington [168]
Cryer & Sons OaklandCalifornia
Fulton Shipyard AntiochCalifornia
Eureka Shipbuilding Fields LandingCalifornia
Harbor Boat Building Company San PedroCalifornia
San Pedro Boatworks San PedroCalifornia
Fellows & Stewart San PedroCalifornia
Everett Pacific Shipbuilding EverettWashington
Gig Harbor ShipbuildingGig HarborWashington [169]
Grays Harbor ShipbuildingAberdeenWashington [170]
Colberg Boat Works StocktonCalifornia
Hickinbotham Bros./Guntert & Zimmerman StocktonCalifornia
Hillstrom ShipbuildingCoos BayOregon [171]
Hodgson-Greene-Haldeman Long BeachCalifornia
Hoquiam ShipyardHoquiamWashington [172]
Kyle & Company StocktonCalifornia
Mojean & EricsonTacomaWashington [173]
Northwestern ShipbuildingSouth BellinghamWashington [174]
Olson & WingeSeattleWashington [175]
Pacific Bridge Company San FranciscoCalifornia
Kneass Boat Works San FranciscoCalifornia
Pacific Car and Foundry Renton/Seattle/TacomaWashington
Peterson ShipbuildingTacomaWashington [176]
Peyton Company Newport BeachCalifornia
Wilmington Boat Works WilmingtonCalifornia
San Diego Marine San DiegoCalifornia
Lynch Shipbuilding San DiegoCalifornia
Al Larson Boat Shop San PedroCalifornia
Garbutt-Walsh Inc. San PedroCalifornia
Pollock-Stockton Shipbuilding StocktonCalifornia
Puget Sound BoatbuildingTacomaWashington [177]
Tacoma Boatbuilding TacomaWashington
Reliable Welding WorksOlympiaWashington [178]
South Coast Shipyard Newport BeachCalifornia
United Concrete Pipe Corporation Los AngelesCalifornia [179]
Victory Shipbuilding Newport BeachCalifornia
Stone Boat Yard AlamedaCalifornia
Pacific Coast Engineering AlamedaCalifornia
Moore Equipment Company StocktonCalifornia
Hunt Boat Company RichmondCalifornia
Madden and Lewis Company SausalitoCalifornia
Clyde W. Wood StocktonCalifornia

See also

Related Research Articles

The United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, and United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) use a hull classification symbol to identify their ships by type and by individual ship within a type. The system is analogous to the pennant number system that the Royal Navy and other European and Commonwealth navies use.

The Defoe Shipbuilding Company was a small ship builder established in 1905 in Bay City, Michigan, United States. It ceased to operate in 1976 after failing to renew its contracts with the United States Navy. The site of the former company is now being developed for business and housing on the bank of the Saginaw River.

Landing Craft Infantry Type of landing craft used by the Allies during World War II

The Landing Craft Infantry (LCI) were several classes of landing craft used by the Allies to land large numbers of infantry directly onto beaches during World War II. They were developed in response to a British request for seagoing amphibious assault ships capable of carrying and landing substantially more troops than their smaller assault landing craft (LCA). The result was a small steel ship that could land 200 men, traveling from rear bases on its own bottom at a speed of up to 15 knots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3-inch/50-caliber gun</span> Naval gun

The 3-inch/50-caliber gun in United States naval gun terminology indicates the gun fired a projectile 3 inches (76 mm) in diameter, and the barrel was 50 calibers long. Different guns of this caliber were used by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard from 1900 through to 1990 on a variety of combatant and transport ship classes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coastal Forces of the Royal Navy</span> British Royal Navy unit

Coastal Forces was a division of the Royal Navy initially established during World War I, and then again in World War II under the command of Rear-Admiral, Coastal Forces. It remained active until the last minesweepers to wear the "HM Coastal Forces" cap tally were taken out of reserve in 1968. The division received more gallantry awards than any other branch of the Royal Navy during that period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hodgdon Yachts</span>

Hodgdon Yachts is a builder of yachts and specialized military vessels, based in East Boothbay, Maine. It is a family-run business that was founded in 1816—the oldest continuously operating family boatbuilder in the United States, antedating the Burger Boat Company in Wisconsin. Hodgdon Yachts is noted for building superyachts, both sail and power, using advanced composite materials and construction techniques. It's also noted for its ability to incorporate those advanced materials into traditional designs that employ modern electronic and mechanical marine systems. The company has several divisions—yachts, custom tenders, yacht interiors, yacht services and military composites with offices in Boothbay, Maine, Newport, Rhode Island and Monaco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type V ship</span> MARCOM tugboat class

The Type V ship is a United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) designation for World War II tugboats. Type V was used in World War II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Type V ships were used to move ships and barges. Type V tugboats were made of either steel or wood hulls. There were four types of tugboats ordered for World War II. The largest type V design was the sea worthy 186-foot (57 m) long steel hull, V4-M-A1. The V4-M-A1 design was used by a number of manufacturers; a total of 49 were built. A smaller steel hull tugboat was the 94-foot (29 m) V2-ME-A1; 26 were built. The largest wooden hull was the 148-foot (45 m) V3-S-AH2, of which 14 were built. The smaller wooden hull was the 58-foot (18 m) V2-M-AL1, which 35 were built. Most V2-M-AL1 tugboats were sent to the United Kingdom for the war efforts under the lend-lease act. The Type V tugs served across the globe during World War II including: Pacific War, European theatre, and in the United States. SS Farallon, and other Type V tugs, were used to help built Normandy ports, including Mulberry harbour, on D-Day, 6 June 1944, and made nine round trips to Normandy to deliver Phoenix breakwaters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fulton Shipyard</span> Shipyard in Antioch, California, United States

Fulton Shipyard was a shipbuilding company in Antioch, California. The shipyard was founded in 1924 by Frank Fulton and Angeline Fulton Fredericks. To support the World War II demand for ships, Fulton Shipyard built minesweepers, tugboats, and troopships. The shipyard was located on the Stockton Channel at 701 Fulton Shipyard Rd, Antioch, near Antioch pier and the Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. The site was the former Jarvis Brothers, opened in 1918, then Laurtzen shipyard. In 1977 the site became the California Corporation. The shipyard closed in 1999 and the land is owned by the Fulton Family Trust. Fulton Shipyard was on the San Joaquin River and an inland port located more than seventy nautical miles from the ocean, emptying into Suisun Bay. Fulton Shipyard was featured in a 1914 movie called The Stolen Yacht, a short drama film released on November 5, 1914. Frank Fulton and Angeline's son James Lloyd Fulton became an operator of a Fulton Shipyard tugboat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harbor Boat Building Company</span> Shipyard in San Pedro, California, United States

Harbor Boat Building Company was a shipbuilding company on Terminal Island in San Pedro, California. To support the World War II demand for ships General Engineering built: minesweepers, torpedo boats, submarine chasers, and air-sea rescue boats. In 1919 Romolo Rados founded Harbor Boat Building. After the war he renamed the company Harco Shipyard and built and sold a standard design motor boat. In 1959 he sold the company to LTV. The shipyard was closed and the company was sold again in 1971 to Omega-Alpha, Inc. The last ship built was in 1965 for the US Navy. The shipyard was located at 263 Wharf St, San Pedro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Coast Shipyard</span> Shipyard in Newport, California, United States

South Coast Shipyard was a shipbuilding company in Newport, California. To support the World War II demand for ships South Coast Shipyard built: minesweepers, Torpedo Boats, Submarine chasers, & Air-sea rescue boats. South Coast Shipyard was opened in 1938 by Walton Hubbard. After World War II the shipyard continued to build ships for the US Navy till 1955. The shipyard was located at 2300 Newport Boulevard, Newport, California. The shipyard closed in 1963.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilmington Boat Works</span> Shipyard in Wilmington, California, United States

Wilmington Boat Works, Inc. or WILBO was a shipbuilding company in Wilmington, California. To support the World War 2 demand for ships Victory Shipbuilding built: Tugboats, crash rescue boats and sub chasers. Wilmington Boat Works opened in 1920 building Fishing boat and yachts, by Hugh Angelman, Willard Buchanan and Tom Smith. After the Korean War the shipyard closed in 1958. The shipyard was located at 400 Yacht Street, Wilmington, the site of the current USC boatyard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Larson Boat Shop</span> Shipyard in San Pedro, California, United States

Al Larson Boat Shop or Al Larson Boat Building is a shipbuilding and dry dock repair company in San Pedro, California on Terminal Island. To support the World War 2 demand for ships Al Larson Boat Shop built: US Navy Sub chasers and Minesweepers. Al Larson Boat Shop was started in 1903 by Peter Adolph (Al) Larson, a Swedish immigrant. Larson started by building boats by hand from Pacific Northwest lumber. As the shop grew, he moved to its current location in Fish Harbor, in the Port of Los Angeles. Adolph Larson's son sold the boat shop in 1960 to Andy and Gloria Wall. The shop was small at this time with only five employees. The Wall family is still running the shipyard in the Port of Los Angeles. The shipyard is the only one in the Port of Los Angeles now operating and able to work on ships of all sizes with its 100 employees. The shipyard is at 1046 South Seaside Ave, Terminal Island, with 2.35 acres of land and 5.35 acres of waterways. The shipyard also runs a marina, Al Larson Marina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lynch Shipbuilding</span> Shipyard in San Diego, California, United States

Lynch Shipbuilding was a wooden shipbuilding company in San Diego, California. To support the World War II demand for ships, Lynch Shipbuilding built US Navy rescue tugs and coastal cargo ships. Lynch Shipbuilding yard was started in the 1930s. Lynch was in the lumber business at the time also. In 1952 the yard was sold to Martinolich Shipbuilding Company, as Martinolich Shipbuilding San Diego. Martinolich's main shipyard was in Dockton, Washington. John A. Martinolich died in 1960. Martinolich's sons operated boatyards from 1940s to 1970 in Tacoma and San Diego also. Martinolich sold the San Diego shipyard in 1957 to National Steel and Shipbuilding Company which is at the current site, 1400 South 28th Street, San Diego.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ackerman Boat Company</span> Shipyard in Newport Beach, California, United States

Ackerman Boat Company was a wooden shipbuilding company in Newport Beach, California. Ackerman Boat Company built small barges in Newport Harbor working with Star D Iron Works, in Santa Ana. To support the World War 2 demand for ships Ackerman Boat Company shipyard switched over to military construction and built: US Army Harbor Tugboats and US Navy Landing Craft Mechanized Model LCM Mark 3. Clarence Ackerman started the Ackerman Boat Company was in 1943. Ackerman Boat Company worked with Consolidated Steel's Wilmington shipyard to build the Tugboat and Landing Craft. Near the end of the war, Ackerman sold the yard to Consolidated Steel but purchased it back in 1947. Ackerman sold the shipyard in 1958. The shipyard was at 151 Shipyard Way, Newport Beach on the Lido Peninsula at the corner of Rhine Place. The current site has been the Newport Harbor Shipyard since 1981, which repairs and restoration of yachts.

<i>APc-1</i>-class transport Type of World War 2 United States Ship

APc-1-class small coastal transports were a troopship design used during World War 2 for the United States Navy (USN). These ships were assigned to the Pacific War where they transported supplies, personnel and munitions around the Island hopping campaign. Many of the ships were under threat of air, sea and submarine attack. A few ships of the class received battle stars for combat valor, including USS APc-15, USS APc-22, USS APc-25 and USS APc-26. The wooden-hulled ships were built by many different shipyards. Following the war, many of them were converted to fishing vessels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anderson & Cristofani</span> Shipyard in San Francisco, California, United States

Anderson & Cristofani was a wooden shipbuilding company in San Francisco, California. To support the World War 2 demand for ships Anderson & Cristofani shipyard switched over to military construction and built: US Navy APC coastal transports, tugboats, Patrol Boats and Minesweepers.

Madden, Lewis or Madden and Lewis Company or Madden and Lewis Corp. was a wooden shipbuilding company in Sausalito, California. To support the World War 2 demand for ships Madden, Lewis shipyard switched over to military construction and built: US Navy tugboats and Harbour Defence Motor Launch. The company was founded by James Herbert Madden Sr., who was also active in the Sausalito Yacht Club. James Herbert Madden Sr. and Gertrude Murphy Madden raised five children in Sausalito. Madden and Lewis Company also owned the Sausalito side of the Golden Gate Ferry Company that ran before the completion of the Golden Gate Bridge, the ferry was run by the Northwestern Pacific Railroad now the site of the Sausalito Ferry Terminal. After the war the yard returned to pleasure craft building and repair. On March 19, 1960 a large fire broke out at the boatyard. The boatyard was in Richardson Bay at 200 Johnson street, Sausalito, near the current Sausalito Yacht Harbor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">US Navy Small Craft Training Center</span> World War II Naval Training Bases

US Navy Small Craft Training Centers(SCTC) were United States Navy training bases used to train sailors in the operation of the many small wooden crafts used in World War II. These crafts were given the nickname Splinter Fleet. There was a shortage of steel and steel shipyards during World War II, so there was a need for a vast wooden fleet of crafts. The Small Craft Training Centers had classrooms and crafts for training. The bases had barrack housing and mess halls. To get the men and crafts out into the field quickly, at many of the bases men trained on new ships. The new ships were at the center for about 4 weeks as part of the vessel's sea trial. Tugboats, Minesweepers, Net laying ships, Crash boats, PT boats and other crafts built near the center were taken to the Small Craft Training Centers for testing. Crafts built at Lynch Shipbuilding in San Diego, California were taken to the Small Craft Training Center at Terminal Island, San Pedro, California for their sea trial. Lynch Shipbuilding built tugboats, and minesweepers. Some of the craft at the Terminal Island school were: USS Density (AM-218), USS Waxsaw (AN-91), and USS Climax (AM-161), USS Wateree (ATF-117), USS Quest (AM-281), USS Snowbell (AN-52). The US Navy also had Small Craft Training Centers in Miami, Florida, Santa Barbara, California, New Orleans, Louisiana and other sites.

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  159. Pidgeon-Thomas Iron Works
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  161. Quincy Bargebuilders
  162. Stadium Yacht Basin
  163. Zenith Dredge
  164. Anacortes Shipways
  165. Barbee Marine
  166. Basalt Rock Company
  167. Birchfield Boiler
  168. Chilman Shipyard
  169. Gig Harbor Shipbuilding
  170. Gray's Harbor Shipbuilding
  171. Hillstrom Shipbuilding
  172. Hoquiam Shipyard
  173. Mojean & Ericson
  174. "Northwestern Shipbuilding". Archived from the original on 2018-09-06. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  175. Olson & Winge
  176. Peterson Shipbuilding Tacoma
  177. Puget Sound Boatbuilding
  178. Reliable Welding Works
  179. United Colinarete Pipe