Type R ship explained

The Type R ship is a United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) designation for World War II refrigerated cargo ship, also called a reefer ship. The R type ship was used in World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and the Cold War. Type R ships were used to transport perishable commodities which require temperature-controlled transportation, such as fruit, meat, fish, vegetables, dairy products and other foods. The US Maritime Commission ordered 41 new refrigerated ships for the US Navy. Because of the difficulty of building refrigerated ships only two were delivered in 1944, and just 26 were delivered in 1945 and the remainder in 1946–48. The 41 R type ships were built in four groups. Two of design types were modified type C1 ships and two were modified type C2 ships. The United Fruit Company operated many of the R type ships in World War II. The type R2-S-BV1 became the US Navy Alstede-class stores ship and the type R1-M-AV3 became the US Navy Adria-class stores ship.[1] [2] [3] [4]

Ships in type

R2-S-BV1

R2-S-BV1 Alstede-class stores ship,, built by Moore Dry Dock Company of Oakland, California in 1945. Used carrying frozen meat to Allied forces in World War II. Hull is close to C2-SU type ships. Displacement: 6,319 t.(lt), length: 469feet, beam: 63feet, draft: 26feet, speed: 15kn max., crew complement: 64, propulsion: cross-compound turbines, single propeller.[5]

R2-ST-AU1

R2-ST-AU1, built by Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation in Chickasaw, Alabama in 1945–1946. Also had accommodations for twelve passengers in six cabins. Owned by the United Mail Steamship Company. Ships were operated by United Fruit Company / Great White Fleet.[7] [8]

R1-M-AV3

R1-M-AV3 Adria-class ship,, built by Pennsylvania Shipyards, Inc. in Beaumont, Texas in 1944–1945, Hull was close to a type C1-M-AV1. Specs: max, length: 338feet, beam: 50feet, draught: 18feet, diesel engine, single screw, 1700shp.

R2-ST-AU1

R2-ST-AU1, built by Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia in 1947. Twin screw with two 6600shp geared turbines, max. speed of . Also called a banana boat. Length 138.82m (455.45feet), beam: 18.67m (61.25feet), depth: 10.83m (35.53feet), draught: 8.28m (27.17feet) and Refrigerated: . Owner and operator United Fruit Steamship Corporation Inc., New York, New York.[14]

R1-S-DH1

R1-S-DH1 Yaque class., built Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point, Maryland in 1947–1948, Engine: De Laval Turbine Company Inc., Trenton, New Jersey, 6050hp,, Length: 117.66m (386.02feet), derricks 9, winches 8. For United Fruit Company, Inc., New York, New York. Used to move tropical fruit and vegetables during war. Smallest of the R ships. Also had a few passenger cabins.

Notable incidents

Other World War reefers

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: R Type Refrigerated Cargo Ships. shipbuildinghistory.com.
  2. Web site: United States Maritime Commission C5 and Refrigerated Type Ships. www.usmm.org.
  3. Web site: Outboard Profiles of Maritime Commission Designed Vessels. drawings.usmaritimecommission.de.
  4. Design R2-S-BV1: Refrigerated Cargo Vessel-turbine : Stowage and Capacity Booklet, Author United States. Maritime Commission, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1946
  5. Web site: Moore Dry Dock. www.shipbuildinghistory.com.
  6. Web site: Stores Ship Photo Index. www.navsource.org.
  7. Web site: Chickasaw Shipbuilding Gulf Shipbuilding Halter Chickasaw. www.shipbuildinghistory.com.
  8. Web site: LA RUE v. UNITED FRUIT CO | 181 F.2d 895 (1950) | 1f2d8951765 | Leagle.com. Leagle.
  9. Web site: Reefers - Pagina 65 - Kombuispraat. www.kombuispraat.com.
  10. Web site: SS Talamanca photo.
  11. Web site: Stores Ship Photo Index. www.navsource.org.
  12. Web site: Stores Ship Photo Index. www.navsource.org.
  13. Web site: Octavia AF-46. www.historycentral.com.
  14. Web site: Newport News Shipbuilding, NGSB Newport News. www.shipbuildinghistory.com.
  15. Alaska Shipwrecks: 1750 - 2010, By Captain Warren Good, page 963
  16. Book: Oliver, Kenneth G. . Under the Southern Cross: A Petty Officer's Chronicle of the USS Octans . 1995 . 20–21 . 978-0899509990 . McFarland & Company .
  17. Web site: Pontiac . Maritime Administration . Ship History Database Vessel Status Card . U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration . 19 September 2019.
  18. Web site: Stores Ship Photo Index. www.navsource.org.
  19. Web site: African Reefer . Maritime Administration . Ship History Database Vessel Status Card . U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration . 19 September 2019.
  20. Web site: Stores Ship Photo Index. www.navsource.org.
  21. Web site: Maria Dan . Maritime Administration . Ship History Database Vessel Status Card . U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration . 19 September 2019.
  22. Web site: Stores Ship Photo Index. www.navsource.org.
  23. Web site: Concrete Ship Constructors Shipyard. www.militarymuseum.org.