Type B ship


The Type B ship is a United States Maritime Administration designation for World War II barges. Barges are very low cost to build, operate and move. Barges were needed to move large bulky cargo. A tug boat, some classed as Type V ships, could move a barge, then depart and move on to the next task. That meant the barge did not have to be rushed to be unloaded or loaded. Toward the end of World War 2, some ships that had not been completed in time for the war were converted to barges. US Navy barges are given the prefix: YWN or YW. Due to shortage of steel during World War II, Concrete Ship Constructors were given contracts to build concrete barges with the prefix YO, YOG, YOGN. Built in 1944 and 1945, some were named after elements,.

World War II barge types

Steel Barge

Freight Barges -YF - YFN

Most YFN barges were not self-propelled. YF barges were self-propelled. A YFN could carry a load of 550 long tons. YFN worked near shore and had a steel hull. They worked in harbors, rivers and other protected waters. They were 110 feet long, had a 32-foot beam and maximum draft of 8 feet.
The Pacific Bridge Company built 27 YFN Freight Barges in 1943: YFN 576 to YFN 603. Pollock-Stockton Shipbuilding Company built: FN 619 to FN 742 YFN 998 to YFN 1016.

Refrigerated Freight Barges YFR - YFRN

Most YFRN Barges were not self-propelled. YFR Barges were self-propelled. Olson & Winge of Seattle WA made 10 YFRN: YFRN-833 to YFRN-841 in 1943, for the war. Defoe Shipbuilding Company of Bay City, Michigan built three: YFR-888, YFR-889 and YFR-890 in 1945. Long Beach Naval Shipyard of Long Beach, California built the YFRN-997 in 1945. A few barges were converted to refrigerated barges, also called a reefer barge.

Repair Barges

Repair Barges type TR, YRB, YRBM, YRDH, YRDM, YRR, LBE were built for World War 2. Repair Barges were self sustaining, 530 tons and 153 feet long. Built in 1944, they had a beam of 36 feet and a draft of 6 feet. Repair Barges had a machine shop and living quarters. They repaired small boats and craft. The barge had generators, a distilling plant, an air compressor and steam boiler. The living space had berths, a mess hall to support a crew of 48 men.
US Navy Barracks Barges, also called berthing barge was 1,300 tons and 261 feet long. They were used as a temporary barracks for sailors or other military personnel. A barracks ship also saw use as a receiving unit for sailors who needed temporary residence prior to being assigned to their ship. Barracks Barges are a type of auxiliary ship, called an APL for auxiliary personal living.
or LBK, was a landing craft used to support amphibious landings in Northwestern Europe during and after the Normandy invasion of Second World War. Its primary purpose was to provide hot meals to the crews of the many minor landing craft not fitted with galley facilities. Constructed of steel, this shallow-draft lighter had storage and serving space to feed 900 men for one week. The kitchen capacity was able to provide 1,600 hot meals and 800 cold meals a day. They were used by both the US and British on D-Day.

Landing Barge, Vehicle

Landing Barge, Vehicle was a barge with a ramp added to load and unload vehicles like: jeeps and trucks during World War 2. A nine-foot, four-inch ramp was added to the stern for loading and unloading. LBV 2, Mark 2, had an engine that could propel the LBV at 4.5 knots. They were powered by 2 Chrysler RM Gas engines and were used by both the US and British on D-Day. Built in three sizes: small 70 feet long, medium 78 feet long and large 82 feet long. Each had a draft of about 4 feet when loaded.

Landing Barge, Oiler

Landing Barge, Oiler stored fuel oil or diesel fuel for landing craft. They had a 40-ton fuel tank, with two compartments and an engine that could propel them at 4.5 knots. They were used by both the US and British on D-Day.

Landing Barge, Water

Landing Barge, Water a barge with a 33-ton fresh water tank and an engine that could propel them at 4.5 knots. They were World War 2 landing support vessels. Used by both the US and British on D-Day.

Landing Barge, Flak

Landing Barge, Flak a Landing Barge with a 40mm anti-aircraft gun, manned by a crew of five. Also had Two 20-mm Hispano AA guns or two twin Lewis guns. The LBF were 60 to 90 feet long. They could transport 15 troops. Used by both the US and British on D-Day.

Concrete Barge

B7-A2 were 5,786 deadweight tons concrete barges.
Type B5-BJ1 were covered dry cargo barges. They were 265 feet long with a deadweight of 1,632 tons.
, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK


Trefoil-class concrete barge
Type: B7-D1 were built by Barrett & Hilp in South San Francisco, California. They had a tonnage of M.C. Deadweight: 5,687, Full Load: 10,970 pounds.
Dimensions: Length: 366'4" by Beam: 54' with max. Draft: 26'
B7-A1
B7-A1 were 5,786 deadweight tons concrete barges.
C1-S-D1
C1-S-D1 were made by McCloskey & Company in Hookers Point, Tampa, Florida in 1944. McCloskey built 24 C1-S-D1. Many were sunk after the as war as breakwater barriers. B7-A1 were 5,004 deadweight tons concrete barges.
Name - Completed - Fate
Many World War I barges were used in World War II, due to the high demand.

Steel

Concrete Barges were used in WW1. Louis L. Brown built concrete barges at Verplank, New York.
Type B I barge hull. Designed to ensure no uncontrolled release of cargo to the water or atmosphere.
Type B II barge hull. Designed to carry products which require substantial preventive measures to ensure no uncontrolled release of cargo to the water or atmosphere, but only of the release does not constitute a long term hazard.
Type B III barge hull. Designed to transport products classed as minor hazards, thus needing less degree of control.