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.
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