U.S. Navy Service Craft

Although little known and mostly anonymous, members of the "Dungaree Navy" are essential contributors to the operations, maintenance and readiness of the U.S. battle force. They include a variety of tugboats, barges, floating dry docks, lighters and scores of other "blue collar" vessels such as range tenders, floating derricks and ferries. These behind-the-scenes workhorses of the Navy are collectively known as "service craft." With more than 500 photos, this unique book provides the histories and discusses the operations and characteristics of more than 4,000 ships, boats and other craft in some 140 classifications and types that have served in the Navy as utility vessels from World War I to today. This comprehensive work includes such rare listings as drone aircraft catapult ships, light salvage lift craft and radiological repair barges. In addition, readers will discover a virtual flotilla of houseboats, dredges, torpedo trials craft and many other unsung ships and boats.