TM 55-607/NAVSEA OP 3221 Rev 2
APPENDIX D
SHIP CHARACTERISTICS
D-1. Purpose
This appendix provides a summary of the current US flag merchant fleets available for the transport of breakbulk
ammunition and explosives. Since the stowage procedures described in this manual are developed for general classes
of ships and explosives cargo, it is desirable that the user recognize the fundamental differences between the
classifications. It is not the intent of this appendix to provide specific shiploading diagrams for individual compartments
of various designs of ships. Diagrams and other detailed information of this type are available from the Military Sealift
Command, Washington, DC, or the Maritime Administration.
D-2. General
a. Table D-1 lists the average characteristics of the current US flag breakbulk fleet. The merchant dry cargo
vessels most frequently used for shipping military ammunition and explosives from military loading activities are C3 and
C4 types. Not all types are configured solely for breakbulk cargo. Certain C3, C4, and C5 vessels have been modified
from full breakbulk vessels to partial container ships while retaining some breakbulk capacity. Vessels known as ex-C4-
types are encountered commonly; however, most of these vessels have been modified extensively, usually to full
container ships. Most V2 (Victory) and EC (Liberty) vessels are currently in reserve fleets; V3 hulls are encountered
infrequently. However, it is emphasized that obsolete or reserve-type ships are still encountered at ammunition
terminals, usually under foreign flag.
D-1
