Barracks ship

U.S. Navy barracks ship APL-61 in 2003

Barracks ship or barracks barge are terms used to indicate a ship or a non-self-propelled barge containing a superstructure of a type suitable for use as a temporary barracks for sailors. A barracks ship may also be used as a "Receiving Unit" for sailors who need temporary residence prior to being assigned to their ship. In civilian use the terms accommodation vessel or accommodation ship are used.

[edit] Use in World War II

Barracks ships in the combat area provided necessary residence for sailors and merchantmen whose ship had been sunk, or whose ship had been so damaged that on-board berthing was no longer possible.

Non-self-propelled barracks ships were used by the U.S. Navy in forward areas during World War II, especially in the Pacific Ocean, and were designated APL, such as APL-18 which was commissioned in 1944 and had the following specifications:

• Displacement 1,300 t.(lt), 2,580 t.(fl)
• Length 261 ft (80 m)
• Beam 49 ft (15 m)
• Draft 11 ft (3.4 m)
• Complement unknown
• Accommodations 5 Officers, 358 Enlisted

Transport ships were also used as barracks by other war-time navies, such as the Kriegsmarine's SS General San Martin.

[edit] Earlier use

French ship Mars, barracks for marines

Barrack ships were common during the era of sailing ships when shore facilities were scarce or non-existent. Barrack ships were usually hulks. At times, barracks ships were also used as prison ships.

[edit] References

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

[edit] External links

• NavSource Photo Archives - Barracks Craft (APL)