United States. War Department

“ The ship’s shops are used to make parts for and to repair port machinery and equipment. Typical jobs are to repair engines and motors and to construct or repair cargo-handling equipment.
(e) Underwater construction and repairs. The ship’s divers may be required to repair the underwater structures of damaged piers and quays. Broken or weakened pilings or timbers may have to be cut and removed so new ones can be placed. Also, the foundations of harbor breakwaters or sea walls may require strengthening or repairs. ”

“ Most of a port repair ship’s crew will have had training and experience in civilian life to qualify them for the highly specialized jobs they are assigned in this military unit. Before receiving further technical instruction, all personnel are given basic military training. ”

“ The machine-shop training includes the operation of drill presses, grinders, lathes, cutters, punch and shear machines, shapers, forging hammers, and milling machines. The men work with different types of metals, receive practical experience in various kinds of machine-shop jobs, and learn how to maintain the equipment and tools. ”

“ Diesel and gasoline auxiliary engines furnish power for the ship’s generators, compressors, and pumps. Typical of the auxiliary engine installations are the 120-hp Diesels used to drive the fire pumps. (See fig. 13.)
f. Electrical systems and generators. Electricity for the ship’s lighting system and for the electrically operated equipment are furnished by Diesel or gasoline-driven generators. In case the main generator fails, an emergency generator starts automatically. If all generators should fail, batteries supply the power. ”

“ Speed is essential in port repair work to eliminate the necessity of landing troops, stores, and equipment over beaches for any length of time. The engineer port repair ship has an important part in getting this work started by opening the harbor to navigation and by furnishing power, equipment, and supplies to the port construction and repair groups. The shops on the ship help prevent stoppages caused by breakdown of machinery and equipment because they can repair or manufacture essential parts that may be needed. ”

“ The engine has an air starting system; pressure lubrication for all running parts except the pistons, which are lubricated by oil thrown into the cylinder walls by the cranks; and an indirect cooling system in which clean soft water is circulated in a closed circuit and cooled by sea water in the heat exchangers. The fuel system uses a manifold in which fuel is maintained at constant pressure but in which there is no pressure on the injection valves except during the actual time of injection. ”

“ Radio direction finder. Located on the navigating bridge is the ship’s radio direction finder. This instrument receives radio signals and establishes the bearing of the sending station. It consists essentially of a loop antenna for receiving the signals connected to a radio receiver that makes the signals audible. The position of the ship may be determined from radio bearings by taking cross bearings on two or more stations, by two bearings on the same station and the distance run between bearings, and by a bearing and a sounding. ”

“ Power. Until local sources of power are restored or floating power plants are available, power for lighting and for operating equipment is supplied by the ship’s stationary and portable generators and compressors.
3. Equipment. Such portable equipment as the clamshell bucket, welding and cutting outfits, trailer-mounted fire pumper, and pneumatic tools, is turned over to the group as it is needed. If necessary, equipment operators are furnished from the ship’s personnel. ”

“ Diving and salvage training. The diving and salvage training is given officers and enlisted men35 with particular emphasis on operations performed in and around docks, quays, and other waterfront structures, harbors, inland waterways. Diving and salvage operations are essential to the rehabilitation of ports. The training should include the following:
(1) Diving-team problems with timber and steel construction; underwater concrete construction; underwater demolition of docks, piers, and ships; and actual salvage operations. ”

“ A blockship is a prepared underwater obstacle sunk to prevent ships from following navigable channels. One or more blockships may be found in an entrance channel. These ships are often filled with rock or concrete to make them more difficult to remove. ”

“ On the bridge deck are the staterooms and offices of the ship’s master, salvage officer, chief engineer, and the naval gunnery officer.
k. Refrigerators. Located on the second platform deck are the fruit and vegetable, meat, and dairy refrigerators. These refrigerators hold a 30-day supply of perishable foods.
9. SUPPLIES FOR SHIP OPERATION. a. Diesel oil. The Diesel oil tanks hold 506 tons of fuel. (See table II.) Normal consumption is figured at one-half pound per 1 hp per hour. There is enough oil for approximately a 60-day cruise. ”

“ ORGANIZATION. The engineer port repair ship crew is composed of specialists. The classifications include master mechanic, electrician, boatswain, diver, radio operator, Diesel mechanic, welder, blacksmith, cook, and able-bodied seaman. The crew consists of commissioned officers, warrant officers, and enlisted men. (See fig. 3.) 5. DUTIES OF PERSONNEL. a. General. Members of the crew are assigned to one of four sections: deck, engine, operating, or headquarters. However, all personnel must be trained to assist in performing tasks besides those specifically assigned. ”

“ Also, there is a set of metric thread-cutting gears for use where the metric system is standard. The lathe is driven by a 71⁄2 hp, 3-phase, 60-cycle motor.
(4) Engine lathe. The 16-by 54-inch engine lathe (fig. 26) also can be equipped with special threads including metric, by using special gearing in the endworks. It is driven by a 3-phase, 60-cycle, 208-volt motor and is equipped with telescoping taper attachments, boring bars, cutters, bits, chucks, tool holders, and metric thread-cutting gears. ”

“ Supplies for the machine shop include 13-inch bronze-alloy round bars of various diameters, 11-foot cold-rolled steel bars of different sizes, square-and round-tool-steel bars, and 5-foot lengths of keystock steel from 1⁄8 to 3⁄4 inches wide. ”