Type B ship-The Daily Ledger

The Type B ship is a United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) 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 ferrocement and given the prefix YO, YOG, YOGN. Built in 1944 and 1945, some were named after elements.

World War II barge types

Steel Barge

Built by Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company in Mobile, AL, Type Coal, Design # 1039 USSB # 301 Name Darien Barge sold to Debardeleben Marine III, Texas in 1969 USSB # 302 Name Mamai Barge sold renamed Patricia Sheridan in 1969 Built by Union Bridge & Construction Company in Morgan City, LA, Design #1067 USSB #2005 Barge USSB #2006 Barge USSB #2007 Barge Built by Nashville Bridge Company in Nashville, TN, Design # 1096 USSB #2776 Barge, Tank USSB #2777 Barge, Tank USSB #2778 Barge, Tank USSB #2779 Barge, Tank

Type B ship

Freight Barges YF – YFN

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.

Type B ship

Refrigerated Freight Barges YFR – YFRN

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.

Type B ship

Repair Barges

Yard Repair Berthing and Messing are repair Barges type TR, YR, 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. Floating Workshops are YR, 96 built, 24 built before ww2 Repair and Berthing Barges are YRB, 36 built Repair, Berthing and Messing Barges were YRBM, 56 built. YRBM-18 (formerly APL-55) received the Presidential Unit Citation for service during the Vietnam War from 6 December 1968 to 31 March 1969. Dry-Dock Workshops – Hull are YRDH, 8 built Dry-Dock Workshops – Machinery are YRDM, 8 built Radiological Repair Barges are YRR, 14 built. Used to support nuclear plant overhauls of nuclear ships and submarines, also refueling and decontamination of used equipment. LBE Landing Barge, Emergency repair used in WW2 to repair landing craft.

Barracks Barge

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. APL-1 to 58 are Non-self-propelled Barracks Ships built in 1944 and 1945. APL displaced 2,600 tons at full load. Dimensions are 261.2 feet long, 49.2 feet beam, draft 8.5 feet when fully loaded. WW2 armament was four 20 mm guns. Crew quarters could accommodate 71 officers and 583 men. Some are still in use. Sample see USS Mercer (APL-39). APL-59 to APL-72 are post WW2 Barracks Ships.