Ship Abbreviations and Symbols
Index to abbreviations & symbols: Select the first letter of the abbreviation or symbol to drop down to the appropriate letter in the alphabet.:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
- A -- alternating current generator.
- a. -- armament.
- AA -- antiaircraft.
- AB -- crane ship.
- ABD -- advance base dock.
- ABDA -- American-British-Dutch-Australian Command.
- ABSD -- advance base section dock.
- A/C -- Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- AC -- collier.
- ac. -- aircraft.
- ACM -- auxiliary mine layer.
- ACV -- auxiliary aircraft carrier; or tender.
- Act. -- acting.
- AD -- destroyer tender.
- ADG -- degaussing ship.
- AE -- ammunition ship.
- A.E.F. -- American Expeditionary Force (World War I); or Allied Expeditionary Force (World War II).
- AEW -- airborne early warning (radar picket system).
- AF -- store ship.
- AFD -- auxiliary floating dock.
- AFDB -- large auxiliary floating dry dock (non-self-propelled).
- AFDL -- small auxiliary floating dry dock (non-self-propelled).
- AFDM -- medium auxiliary floating dry dock (non-self-propelled).
- AFS -- combat store ship.
- AG -- miscellaneous auxiliary.
- AGB -- icebreaker.
- AGC -- general communications vessel; or amphibious force flagship (now LCC).
- AGD -- seagoing dredge.
- AGDE -- escort research ship.
- AGDS -- deep submergence support ship.
- AGEH -- hydrofoil research ship.
- AGER -- environmental research ship.
- AGF -- miscellaneous command ship.
- AGL -- lighthouse tender.
- AGM -- missile range instrumentation ship.
- AGMR -- major communications relay ship.
- AGOR -- oceanographic research ship.
- AGP -- motor torpedo boat tender.
- AGR -- radar picket ship.
- AGS -- surveying ship.
- AGSC -- coastal survey ship.
- AGSL -- satellite launching ship.
- AGSS -- auxiliary submarine.
- AGTR -- technical research ship.
- AH -- hospital ship.
- AHP -- evacuation hospital ship.
- AK -- cargo ship.
- AKA -- attack cargo ship (now LKA).
- AKD -- cargo ship, dock; or deep-hold cargo ship.
- AKI -- general stores issue ship.
- AKL -- light cargo ship.
- AKN -- net cargo ship.
- AKS -- stores issue ship.
- AK(SS) -- cargo submarine.
- AKV -- cargo ship and aircraft ferry.
- AKR -- vehicle cargo ship.
- AL -- lightship.
- ALCo -- American Locomotive Co., Auburn, NewYork.
- AM -- minesweeper.
- AMh -- minesweeper, harbor.
- AMc -- coastal minesweeper.
- Am-Int -- American International Shipbuilding Corp., Hog Island, Pennsylvania.
- AMS -- motor minesweeper,
- AMCU -- coastal minesweeper (underwater locator) or mine hunter.
- AN -- net laying ship (now ANL).
- ANL -- net laying ship (formerly AN).
- ANZAC -- Australian-New Zealand Force.
- AO -- oiler; or fuel oil tanker.
- AOG -- gasoline tanker.
- AOE -- fast combat support ship.
- AOR -- replenishment oiler.
- AOSS -- submarine oiler.
- AP -- transport.
- APA -- attack transport (now LPA); or animal transport.
- APB -- self-propelled barracks ship; or artillery barge.
- APb -- base repair ship.
- APC -- cavalry transport; or small coastal transport (formerly APc).
- APD -- high-speed transport.
- APF -- administrative flagship.
- APG -- supporting gunnery ship.
- APR -- transport fitted for evacuation of wounded.
- APL -- labor transport, or barrack ship.
- APM -- mechanized artillery transport.
- APN -- non-mechanized artillery transport.
- APP -- troop barge, class A.
- APR -- rescue transport.
- APS -- mine laying submarine; or transport, submarine.
- APSS -- transport, submarine.
- APT -- troop barge, class B.
- APV -- transport and aircraft ferry.
- APY -- giant "Y" boat.
- AR -- repair ship.
- ARB -- battle damage repair ship.
- ARC -- cable repairing ship.
- ARD -- auxiliary repair dock (non-self-propelled).
- ARDC -- auxiliary repair dock, concrete.
- ARDM -- medium auxiliary repair dry dock (non-self-propelled).
- ARG -- internal combustion engine repair ship.
- ARH -- heavy-hull repair ship.
- ARL -- landing craft repair ship.
- AMR -- heavy machinery repair ship.
- ARS -- salvage ship.
- ARSD -- salvage lifting ship.
- ARST -- salvage craft tender.
- ARVA -- aircraft repair ship (aircraft).
- ARVE -- aircraft repair ship (engine).
- ARVH -- aircraft repair ship (helicopter).
- AS -- submarine tender.
- ASPB -- assault support patrol boat.
- ASR -- submarine rescue ship.
- ASROC -- antisubmarine rocket.
- ASSA -- cargo submarine.
- ASSP -- transport submarine.
- ASW -- antisubmarine warfare.
- AT -- ocean tug.
- ATA -- auxiliary ocean tug.
- ATC -- armored troop carrier.
- ATF -- fleet ocean tug.
- ATL -- tank landing craft.
- Atlas -- Atlas Imperial Diesel Engine Co., Mattoon, Illinois.
- ATO -- ocean tug, old.
- ATR -- rescue tug.
- ATS -- salvage tug.
- aux, -- auxiliary.
- AV -- seaplane tender.
- AVB -- advance aviation base ship.
- AVC -- large catapult lighter.
- AVD -- seaplane tender (destroyer).
- AVG -- aircraft escort vessel.
- avgas -- aviation gasoline.
- AVM -- guided missile ship.
- AVP -- small seaplane tender.
- AVR -- aircraft rescue vessel.
- AVS -- aviation supply ship.
- AVT -- auxiliary aircraft transport.
- AW -- distilling ship.
- AWK -- water tanker.
- AZ -- airship tender (lighter than air).
- B -- The letter "B" used as a prefix to a hull number indicates that the ship was built by the United States for a British Commonwealth Navy.
- b. -- beam.
- BAK -- British cargo ship.
- BB -- battleship.
- BBG -- guided missile capital ship.
- bbls. -- barrels.
- B.C, -- British Columbia.
- BLM -- ballistic intercontinental missile.
- BDE -- British escort ship.
- Beth-Alam -- Bethlehem-Alameda Shipyard, Inc., Alameda, California.
- Beth-Fair -- Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland.
- Beth-Hing -- Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard, Inc., Hingham, Massachusetts.
- BethPac-SanP -- Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp., San Pedro, California.
- BethPac-SanF -- Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp., San Francisco, California.
- BethSb-Wilm -- Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, Delaware.
- Beth-Spar -- Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Shipyard, Inc., Sparrows Point, Maryland.
- BethSt-Balt -- Bethlehem Steel Co., Shipbuilding Div., Baltimore, Maryland.
- Beth-Bklyn -- Bethlehem Steel Co., Shipbuilding Div., Brooklyn, New York.
- BethSt-Quin -- Bethlehem Steel Co., Shipbuilding Div., Quincy, Massachusetts.
- BethSt-Stat -- Bethlehem Steel Co., Shipbuilding Div, Staten Island, New York.
- Bg -- barge.
- bhp. -- brake horsepower.
- blr. -- breach-loading rifle.
- BM -- monitor.
- bom -- "builders old measurement."
- bp. -- between perpendiculars (length).
- BPDSMS -- Basic point defense surface missile system.
- Bt -- boat.
- btry -- battery.
- Buda -- Buda Diesel Engine Co.
- BUEXP -- Bureau Express Boiler.
- Buff-B -- Buffalo, Shipbuilding Co., Buffalo, New York.
- Buff-E -- Buffalo Shipbuilding Co., Erie, Pennsylvania.
- BUMODT -- Bureau-modified Thorneycroft boiler.
- BUR4DR -- Bureau-4-Drum Boiler.
- Busch -- Busch Sulzer Brothers Diesel Engine Co., St. Louis, Missouri.
- BUSHIPS -- Bureau of Ships (now NSSC).
- BW -- Babcock & Wilcox Co., Boiler Div., Barberton, Ohio.
- BWA -- Babcock & Wilcox Co., header-type boiler.
- BWASDR -- Babcock & Wilcox 8-drum express-type boiler.
- BWHDR -- Babcock & Wilcox header-type boiler.
- B.W.I -- British West Indies.
- BWSHC -- Babcock & Wilcox superheat control boiler.
- BWSX -- Babcock & Wilcox sectional express boiler.
- BW2DR -- Babcock & Wilcox 2-drum boiler.
- BW2DRD -- Babcock & Wilcox 2-drum D-type boiler.
- BW2DSU -- Babcock & Wilcox 2-drom single-uptake boiler.
- C -- protected cruiser; commanding officer.
- CA -- heavy cruiser.
- CAG -- guided missile heavy cruiser.
- cal. -- caliber.
- CAP -- combat air patrol.
- car. -- carronade.
- CB -- large cruiser.
- C/B -- Cooper Bessemer.
- CBC -- large tactical command ship.
- CC -- battle cruiser; or command ship.
- C/C -- controlled-circulation boiler.
- CCB -- command and control boat.
- CCS -- Combined Chiefs of Staff.
- C/E -- Combustion Engineering Co., Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- CED -- Combustion Engineering D-type boiler.
- CEH -- Cummins Engine Co., Inc.
- CEHDR -- Combustion Engineering header-type boiler.
- CENTO -- Central Treaty Organization.
- CE2DR -- Combustion Engineering 2-drum boiler.
- CE2DRD -- Combustion Engineering 2-drum D-type boiler.
- CF -- flying-deck cruiser.
- CFC -- controlled forced circulation.
- CG -- guided missile cruiser.
- CGC -- Coast Guard cutter.
- CGN -- -guided missile cruiser (nuclear propulsion).
- CH -- Cutler-Hammer.
- Char -- Naval Shipyard, Charleston, South Carolina (formerly Navy Yard, Charleston).
- Chry -- Chrysler Corp.
- CIC -- Command Information Center.
- CinCLant -- Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
- CinCPac -- Commander in Chief. U.S. Pacific Fleet.
- CIW -- Columbian Iron Works, Baltimore, Maryland.
- CL -- light cruiser.
- cl. -- class.
- CLAA -- Antiaircraft light cruiser.
- ClBt -- canal boat,
- CLC -- tactical command ship.
- CLG -- guided missile light cruiser.
- CLK -- cruiser hunter-killer ship.
- CM -- minelayer.
- CMc -- coastal minelayer.
- CMC -- Continental Motors Corp.
- CNO -- Chief of Naval Operations.
- C.O. -- commanding officer.
- compos. -- composite drive (2 diesel engines, electric drive; 2 diesel engines, geared drive; hydraulic couple).
- const. -- construction.
- cont. -- continued.
- Cor. -- corvette.
- CortRon -- escort squadron.
- cpl. -- complement.
- Craig -- Craig Shipbuilding Go., Long Beach, California.
- Cramp -- Wm. Cramp & Sons Ship & Engine Building Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Cres -- Crescent Shipyard, Elizabethport, New Jersey.
- CS -- scout cruiser.
- CSA -- Confederate States Army.
- CSN -- Confederate States Navy.
- CSS -- Confederate States Ship.
- CTE -- coastal torpedo boat.
- CTF -- Commander Task Force.
- CTG -- Commander Task Group,
- Ctr. -- cutter.
- CTU -- Commander Task Unit.
- Cur. -- Curtis-type turbine.
- CV -- aircraft carrier.
- CVA -- attack aircraft carrier.
- CVAN -- attack aircraft carrier (nuclear propulsion).
- CVB -- large aircraft carrier.
- CVE -- escort aircraft carrier.
- CVHA -- assault helicopter aircraft carrier.
- CVL -- small aircraft carrier.
- CVN -- aircraft carrier (nuclear propulsion)
CVS -- antisubmarine warfare support aircraft carrier; or seaplane carrier. - CVT -- training aircraft carrier.
- CVU -- utility aircraft carrier.
- Cwt -- hundred weight,
- C.Z. -- Canal Zone.
- DANFS -- Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
- DASH -- drone antisubmarine helicopter.
- dc. -- depth charge.
- dcp. -- depth charge projector.
- dcp. (hh.) -- depth charge projector (hedgehog-type).
- dct. -- depth charge track.
- DD -- destroyer.
- dd -- dry dock.
- d/d -- diesel direct.
- DDC -- corvette.
- ddd. -- diesel direct drive.
- DDE -- antisubmarine destroyer.
- DDG -- guided missile destroyer,
- DDR -- radar picket destroyer.
- DE -- escort ship.
- d/e -- diesel electric.
- DEC -- control escort vessel.
- ded. -- diesd electric drlve.
- DEG -- guided missile escort ship.
- DeL -- De Laval Steam Turbine Co. Trenton, New Jersey.
- DeL-FB -- De Laval & Farrel-Birmingham.
- DeL-Falk -- De Laval & Falk.
- DeL-GE -- De Laval & General Electric.
- DeL-Wes -- De Laval & Westinghouse.
- DER -- radar picket escort ship.
- de/r -- diesel-electric reduction.
- derd. -- diesel electric reduction drive.
- des. -- design.
- Des -- destroyer.
- DesDiv -- Destroyer Division.
- DesRon -- Destroyer Squadron.
- det. -- diesel electric tandem motor drive.
- DEW -- Distant Early Warning System (a radar net work across upper North America).
- dgd. -- diesel geared drive.
- Diehl -- Diebl Manufacturing Co., Bridgeport, New York.
- div. -- division.
- DL -- frigate.
- DLG -- guided missile frigate.
- DLGN -- guided missile frigate (nuclear propulsion).
- dlt. -- double reduction-locked train.
- DM -- destroyer minelayer; or light minelayer (now MMD).
- DMS -- high-speed minesweeper; or destroyer minesweeper.
- DMZ -- Demilitarized Zone.
- dp. -- displacement; or dual purpose (guns).
- dph. -- depth of hold.
- dr. -- draft.
- D.r -- Dahlgren rifle.
- drd -- diesel reduction drive.
- D.sb. -- Dahlgren smoothbore.
- EAG -- experimental miscellaneous auxiliary.
- EBCo -- Electric Boat Co., Groton, Connecticut.
- ED -- Electric Dynamic Co., Bayonne, New Jersey.
- ehp. -- estimated horsepower.
- EIWHDR -- Edgemoor Iron Works header-type boiler.
- Ell -- Elliot Motor Co., Jeannette, Pennsylvania.
- EUMach -- Ellicott Machine Corp., Baltimore, Maryland.
- ElSpecCo -- Electric Specialty Co., Stamford, Connecticut.
- eng. -- engine.
- enl. -- enlisted.
- Enter -- Enterprise Engine and Foundry Co., San Francisco, California.
- ew. -- extreme width of flight deck.
- ex -- former.
- Exide -- Exide Electric Storage Battery Corp., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- exp. -- expansion.
- f. -- full load (displacement).
- Falk-DeL -- Falk & De Laval,
- Falk-FB -- Falk & Farrel-Birmingham.
- Falk-GE -- Falk & General Electric.
- Falk-Wes -- Falk & Westinghouse.
- FAST -- Fast At Sea Transfer Equipment.
- FB -- Farrel-Birmingham Co., New York.
- FB-Falk -- Farrel-Birmingham & Falk.
- FB-Wes -- Farrel-Birmingham & Westinghouse.
- FBM -- fleet ballistic missile.
- FDI -- fast deployment logistics ship.
- Fed -- Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Kearny, New Jersey.
- Fiat -- Fiat-San Giorgio, Ltd., Turin, Italy.
- Flot -- flotilla.
- FltBtry -- floating battery.
- FM -- Fairbanks Morse diesel, reverse gear drive (manufactured by Fairbanks Morse & Co., Beloit, Wisconsin).
- Fore -- Fore River Ship and Engine Co., Quincy, Massachusetts.
- Fr. -- Frigate.
- FRAM -- Fleet Rehabilitation And Modernization.
- FSch. -- F. Schlebau Gmbh., Elbing, Germany.
- f.t. -- fire-tube (Scotch-type boiler).
- FW -- Foster Wheeler Corp., Mountaintop, Pennsylvania.
- FWASDR. -- Foster Wheeler 8-Drum. Express-Type Boiler.
- FWH -- Foster Wheeler Header-Type Boiler.
- FWPFS -- Foster Wheeler Pressure-Fixed Supercharged Boiler.
- FWSFD -- Foster Wheeler Single-Furnace D-Type Boiler.
- FWSHC -- Foster Wheeler Superheat Control Boiler.
- FW2DR -- Foster Wheeler 2-Drum Boiler,
- FW2DRS -- Foster Wheeler 2-Drum Superheat Control Boiler.
- gal. -- gallon.
- Gbt -- gunboat.
- gd -- gundeck.
- GDEB-Grot -- General Dynamics Corp., Electric Boat Div., Groton, Connecticut.
- GDEB-Quin -- General Dynamics Corp., Electric Boat Div., Quincy, Massachusetts.
- GE -- General Electric Co., Schenectady, New York.
- gen. -- generator.
- G.g. -- Gatling gun.
- GM -- General Motors Corp., Cleveland Diesel Division, Cleveland, Ohio.
- Gond -- gondola.
- Gould -- Gould Storage Battery Co., Trenton, New Jersey.
- gr. -- gross (tonnage).
- Gulf -- Gulf Shipbuilding Corp., Chickasaw, Alabama.
- Gy -- galley.
- Hall-S -- Hall-Scott.
- HBM -- His (Her) Britannic Majesty's.
- helo -- helicopter.
- Here -- Hercules Motor Co., Canton, Ohio.
- HH -- Harlan and Hollingsworth Corp., Wilmington, Delaware.
- HIJMS -- His Imperial Japanese Majesty's Ship.
- HL -- H. L. Hawthorne, Leslie and Co., Ltd., Newcastle-on-Tyne England.
- HMAS -- His (Her) Majesty's Australian Ship.
- HMCS -- His (Her) Majesty's Canadian Ship.
- HMNZS -- His (Her) Majesty's New Zealand Ship.
- HNMS -- Her Netherlands Majesty's Ship.
- HORC -- Hooven, Owens, Renschler Co., Hamilton, Ohio.
- hor3 -- horizontal triple-expansion.
- how. -- howitzer.
- hp. -- horsepower.
- HT -- Humphreys and Tenant. Ltd., London, England.
- HUK -- Hunter/Killer; offensive ASW.
- Hw -- Hunter-wheel.
- HwGbt, -- Hunter-wheel gunboat.
- HwStr -- Hunter-wheel steamer.
- IFS -- inshore fire support ship (now LFR).
- ihp -- indicated horsepower.
- ip. -- intermediate pressure.
- int -- international.
- Irc -- ironclad.
- IreFitBtry -- ironclad floating battery.
- IreGbt -- ironclad gunboat.
- IrcRam -- ironclad ram.
- IrcSlp -- ironclad sloop.
- IreStr -- ironclad steamer.
- IrcStFItBtry -- ironclad steam floating battery.
- IX -- unclassified miscellaneous auxiliary ship.
- JCS -- Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- JHendy -- Joshua Hendy.
- JTF -- Joint Task Force.
- k. -- knots.
- KA -- contraction of AKA (attack cargo ship).
- Kopp -- Koppers Manufacturing Co.
- kw. -- kilowatts.
- l. -- length.
- LBP -- support landing boat.
- LBV -- vehicle landing boat.
- LCA -- assault landing craft.
- LCAP -- local combat air patrol.
- LCB -- landing craft, vehicle.
- LCC -- amphibious command ship (formerly AGC).
- LCC(1) -- landing craft, control Mk I.
- LCC(2) -- landing craft, control Mk II.
- LCI( F) -- landing craft, infantry (gunboat).
- LCI(L) -- landing craft, infantry (large).
- LCI (M) -- landing craft, infantry (mortar).
- LCI(R) -- landing craft, infantry (rocket).
- LCM -- landing craft, mechanized.
- LCM(2) -- landing craft, mechanized, Mk II.
- LCM(3) -- landing craft, mechanized, Mk III.
- LCM(6) -- landing craft, mechanized, Mk VI.
- LCM(8) -- landing craft, mechanized, Mk VIII.
- LCPL -- landing craft, personnel (large).
- LCP(N) -- landing craft, personnel (nested).
- LCPR -- landing craft, personnel, ramped.
- LCR(L) -- landing craft, inflatable bout (large).
- LCR(S) -- landing craft, inflatable boat (small).
- LCSL -- landing craft, infantry (support).
- LCSR -- landing craft, swimmer reconnaissance,
- LCS(S)(1) -- landing craft, support (small) Mk I.
- LCS(S)(2) -- landing craft, support (small) Mk II.
- LCT -- landing craft, tank.
- LCU -- landing craft, utility.
- LCV -- landing craft, vehicle.
- LCVP -- landing craft, vehicle, personnel.
- LFR -- inshore fire support ship (formerly IFS, LSMR).
- Lht. -- lighthouse tender.
- LFS -- amphibious fire support ship.
- LHA -- amphibious assault ship (general purpose).
- lim. -- limiting.
- LKA -- amphibious cargo ship (formerly AKA).
- Loran -- long range navigation [system].
- lp. -- low pressure.
- LPA -- amphibious transport (formerly APA).
- LPD -- amphibious transport dock.
- LPH -- amphibious assault ship.
- LPR -- amphibious transport, small (formerly APD).
- LSD -- dock landing ship.
- LSFF -- flotilla flagship (amphibious).
- LSI -- landing ship, infantry (giant "Y" boat).
- LSI(G) -- landing ship, infantry (gunboat).
- LSI(L) -- landing ship, infantry (large).
- LSI(M) -- landing ship, infantry (mortar).
- LSI(R) -- landing ship, infantry (rocket).
- LSM -- medium landing ship.
- LSM(R) -- medium landing ship (rocket), (now LFR).
- LSS(L) -- support landing ship (large) Mk III.
- LST -- tank landing ship.
- LSTH -- landing ship, tank (casualty evacuation) .
- LSTS -- landing ship (utility).
- LSU -- landing ship (utility).
- LSV -- landing ship, vehicle.
- LT -- large tug (Army).
- lt -- light (displacement).
- Lufkin -- Lufkin Foundry & Machine Co.
- LVA -- assault landing vehicle.
- LVT -- landing vehicle, tracked.
- LWT -- amphibious warping tug.
- M -- Marine.
- M. -- mortar.
- MAC -- Military Airlift Command.
- MarAd -- Maritime Administration.
- MAP -- Military Assistance Program.
- MB -- motor boat.
- M.C. -- Maritime Commission.
- M.C.E. -- Maritime Commission Emergency Ship Program ("Liberty" ships).
- MSC -- mine countermeasures ship.
- M.C.V -- Maritime Commission Victory Ship Program ("Victory" ships).
- M.D.A.P. -- Mutual Defense Assistance Program.
- Mfr -- manufacturer.
- mg. -- machine gun.
- MHA -- minehunter, auxiliary.
- MHC -- minehunter, coastal.
- MinDiv -- mine division.
- MinFlot -- mine flotilla.
- MinLant -- Mine Force Atlantic.
- MinPac -- Mine Force Pacific.
- MinRon -- mine squadron.
- mis. -- missile.
- mis. ln -- missile launcher.
- mk. -- mark.
- mlr. -- muzzle-loading rifle.
- MM -- minelayer, fleet.
- mm. -- millimeter.
- MMA -- minelayer, auxiliary.
- MMC -- minelayer, coastal.
- MMD -- minelayer, fast (formerly DM).
- MMP -- minelayer, fleet.
- Mon -- monitor.
- MON -- monitor (new riverine warfare type).
- Moran -- Moran Brothers Co., Seattle, Washington.
- Mssh. -- Mosher-type boiler.
- mot -- motor generator.
- mph -- miles per hour.
- MS -- motor ship.
- MSA -- minesweeper, auxiliary.
- MSB -- minesweeping boat.
- M.S.C. -- Military Sealift Command (formerly MSTS).
- MSC -- minesweeper, coastal (nonmagnetic).
- MSCO -- minesweeper, coastal (old).
- MSD -- minesweeper, drone.
- MSF -- minesweeper, fleet (steel hull).
- MSI -- minesweeper, inshore.
- MSL -- minesweeping launch.
- MMS -- minesweeper, river.
- MSO -- minesweeper, ocean (nonmagnetic).
- MSR -- minesweeper, patrol.
- MSS -- minesweeper, special (device).
- MSTS -- Military Sea Transportation Service (now Military Sealift Command).
- n. -- normal (displacement).
- NAR -- Naval Auxiliary Reserve.
- NASA -- National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
- NaSuCo -- National Supply Co.
- NATO -- North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
- NaTran -- National Transit Pump & Machine Co., Oil City, Pa.
- NATS -- Naval Air Transport Service.
- NavSea -- Naval Sea Systems Command (formerly NSSC and Naval Ordnance Systems Command).
- NavSyd -- naval shipyard.
- NavSyd-Bos -- Boston Naval Shipyard, Boston, Massachusetts (formerly Boston Navy Yard).
- NavSyd-Bklyn -- New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, New York (formerly New York Navy Yard).
- NavSyd-Charl -- Charleston Naval Shipyard, Charleston, South Carolina (formerly Charleston Navy Yard).
- NavSyd-Hunt -- Hunters Point Div., San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California.
- NavSyd-LBeach -- Long Beach Naval Shipyard, Long Beach, California.
- NavSyd-MI -- Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California.
- NavSyd-Norfolk -- Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Norfolk, Virginia. (formerly Norfolk Navy Yard).
- NavSyd-Pearl -- Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (formerly Pearl Harbor Navy Yard).
- NavSyd-Phil -- Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (formerly Philadelphia Navy Yard).
- NavSyd-Ports -- Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire (formerly Portsmouth Navy Yard).
- NavSyd-Puget -- Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington (formerly Puget Sound Navy Yard).
- Neafie -- Neafie and Levy Ship and Engine Building Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- N.E.I. -- Netherlands East Indies.
- Nfld. -- Newfoundland.
- N.G. -- New Guinea.
- N.I. -- Northern Ireland.
- NICB -- Niclaune-type boiler (built by the Stirling: Co., Barberton, Ohio).
- Niles -- Niles Tool Works Div., General Machinery Corp.
- NLSE -- New London Ship and Engine Co., Groton, Connecticut.
- NN -- Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, Virginia.
- NNV -- National Naval Volunteers.
- NOB -- Naval Operating Base.
- NOR -- Normand-type boiler.
- Nordb -- Nordbe Manufacturing Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- NOTS -- Naval Overseas Transportation Service.
- NR -- submersible research vehicle (nuclear propulsion).
- NROTC -- Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps.
- N.S. -- Nova Scotia.
- nsp. -- non-self-propelled.
- NSSC -- Naval Ship Systems Command (formerly BUSHIPS, now part of NavSea).
- N.W.I. -- Netherlands West Indies.
- NYd -- Navy yard.
- NYd-Pensa -- Pensacola Navy Yard, Pensacola, Florida.
- NYd-Wash -- Washington Navy Yard, Washington, District of Columbia.
- NYSb -- New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, New Jersey.
- off. -- officer(s).
- OIC -- Officer in Charge.
- OTC -- Officer in Tactical Command.
- PA -- contraction of APA (attack transport).
- PACV -- patrol air cushion vehicle.
- Palm -- N. F. Palmer, Jr., and Co., New York, New York.
- PARPRO -- Peacetime Aerial Recon seaplane, known as "Mariner," manufactured by Glenn L. Martin Co.
- PBR -- river patrol boat.
- PBY -- twin -- engine patrol bomber seaplane, known as "Catalina," manufactured by Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft Corp.
- PC -- submarine chaser (173').
- PCC -- control submarine chaser (173').
- PCE -- patrol escort.
- PCEC -- control escort (180').
- PCER -- patrol rescue escort.
- PCF -- patrol craft, inshore.
- PCH -- patrol craft (hydrofoil).
- PCS -- patrol craft, submarine.
- PCSC -- control submarine chaser (136').
- pdr. -- pounder.
- PE -- eagle boat.
- PF -- patrol escort; or frigate.
- PG -- patrol gunboat.
- PGH -- patrol gunboat (hydrofoil).
- PGM -- motor gunboat.
- Phib -- amphibious.
- PhibRon -- amphibious squadron.
- P.I. -- Philippine Islands.
- PIRAZ -- positive identification and radar advisory zone.
- Pol. -- Polaris missile system.
- P.Q. -- Province of Quebec.
- PR -- river gunboat.
- P.R. -- Puerto Rico.
- P.r. -- Parrott rifle.
- PT -- motor torpedo boat.
- PTC -- motor boat subchaser.
- PTF -- fast patrol craft.
- Pusey -- Pusey & Jones, Wilmington, Delaware.
- PY -- patrol vessel converted yacht.
- PYc. -- Patrol vessel converted yacht (coastal).
- QIW -- Quintard Iron Works, New York, New York.
- quad. -- quadruple.
- quint. -- quintuple.
- R and R -- rest and rehabilitation.
- r. -- rifle.
- r. pivt. -- rifted pivot gun.
- RAF -- Royal Air Force.
- RAAF -- Royal Australian Air Force.
- RAN -- Royal Australian Navy.
- RC -- revenue cutter.
- RCAF -- Royal Canadian Air Force.
- RCN -- Royal Canadian Navy.
- RCS -- Revenue Cutter Service.
- recip3 -- reciprocating, triple expansion.
- Reg. -- Regulus missile system.
- rf. -- rapid fire.
- Rich -- Richmond Locomotive Works, Richmond, Virginia.
- Ridg -- Ridgeway Dynamo and Electric Co., Ridgeway, Pennsylvania.
- rkt. -- rocket launcher.
- RN -- Royal Navy.
- RNN -- Royal Netherlands Navy.
- RNZN -- Royal New Zealand Navy.
- Roach -- John Roach and Sons, Chester, Pennsylvania.
- ROK -- Republic of Korea.
- RON -- squadron.
- RU -- Reciprocating (Skinner Unaflow).
- S. -- speed.
- sa. -- semiautomatic.
- SACEUR -- Supreme Allied Commander, Europe.
- SACLANT -- Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic.
- SACMED -- Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean.
- SAR -- Search and Rescue, sea air rescue.
- sat. -- saturated.
- sb. -- smooth bore.
- SC -- submarine chaser (110'); or cruiser submarine.
- Sc -- screw.
- SCAJAP -- Shipping Control Administrator, Japan.
- SCC -- control submarine chaser (110').
- ScFr -- screw frigate.
- ScGbt -- screw gunboat.
- Sch -- schooner.
- SchBg -- schooner barge.
- SCOTCH -- Scotch fire tube boiler. (All others are watertube.)
- ScSIp -- screw sloop-of-war.
- ScStr -- -screw steamer.
- ScTug -- screw tug.
- SEAL -- Sea Air and Land (Naval Special Forces).
- SEATO -- Southeast Asia Treaty Organization.
- seabee -- construction battalion.
- SF -- fleet submarine.
- Sg. -- shell gun.
- s-g -- single & double reduction gears.
- sgl. -- single.
- SHAEF -- Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force.
- SHAPE -- Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe.
- shp. -- shaft horsepower.
- SINS -- Ships Inertial Navigational System.
- SL -- ship-of-the-line.
- Slp -- sloop.
- SlpW -- sloop-of-war.
- SlvBg -- salvage barge.
- SM -- mine laying submarine.
- SNAP -- anti-snooper air patrol.
- SP -- motor patrol boat.
- sp -- self-propelled.
- sr -- single reduction gears.
- S.r. -- Sawyer rifle.
- SS -- submarine; or merchant steamship.
- SSA -- cargo submarine.
- SSB -- fleet ballistic missile submarine.
- SSBN -- fleet ballistic missile submarine (nuclear powered).
- SSC -- cruiser submarine.
- SSG -- guided missile submarine.
- SSGN -- guided missile submarine (nuclear powered).
- SSK -- antisubmarine submarine.
- SSN -- submarine (nuclear powered).
- SSO -- submarine oiler.
- SSP -- submarine transport.
- SSR -- radar picket submarine.
- SSRN -- radar picket submarine (nuclear powered).
- SSS -- strike support ship.
- SST -- target and training submarine (self-propelled).
- St -- steam.
- StBrig -- steam brig.
- StBt -- steamboat.
- stbd. -- starboard.
- StFr -- steam frigate.
- Str -- steamer.
- StRam -- steam ram.
- StTBt -- steam torpedo boat.
- StTug -- steam tug.
- Stw -- stern wheel.
- StwGbt -- stern wheel gunboat.
- StwRam -- stern wheel ram.
- StwStr -- stern wheel steamer.
- SubDiv -- submarine division.
- SubFlot -- submarine flotilla.
- subm. -- submerged.
- SUBROC -- submarine rocket.
- SubRon -- submarine squadron.
- Sun -- Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Chester, Pennsylvania.
- Sup -- Superior Marine Manufacturing Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- surf. -- surface.
- Sw -- side wheel.
- SwGbt -- side wheel gunboat.
- SwStr -- side wheel steamer.
- SwRam -- side wheel ram.
- SwTug -- side wheel tug.
- Syd -- shipyard.
- t. -- tonnage.
- T. -- Maritime Commission standard type.
- T -- prefix indicating M.S.C. (MSTS) ship.
- Tal. -- Talos missile system.
- Tar. -- Tartar missile system.
- TB -- torpedo boat.
- TBS -- talk between ships.
- td. -- turbine direct drive.
- ted. -- turbine electric drive.
- Ter. -- Terrier missile system.
- terd. -- turbine electric reduction drive.
- TF -- Task Force.
- TG -- Task Group.
- THORN -- Thornycroft-type boiler.
- Tk -- tanker.
- tl. -- trial (speed).
- TLL -- tanklighter.
- TLWW -- tank lighter (medium tank-well type).
- TR -- geared turbine drive.
- Tr -- trawler.
- Trans -- transport.
- TransRon -- transport squadron.
- Trigg. -- Wm. R. Trigg Co., Richmond, Virginia.
- Troy -- Troy Engine & Machine Co.
- trp. -- troop capacity.
- tt. -- torpedo tubes.
- TU -- Task Unit.
- tur. -- turbine.
- UDT -- underwater demolition team.
- UIW -- Union Iron Works, San Francisco, California.
- UIWHDR -- Union Iron Works header-type boiler.
- U.K. -- United Kingdom.
- UN -- United Nations.
- UN-CR -- Universal Cruiser.
- unrep. -- underway replenishment.
- USA -- United States Army.
- USAAC -- United States Army Air Corps.
- USAAF -- United States Army Air Forces.
- USAF -- United States Air Force.
- USAMC -- United States Army Medical Corps.
- USANF -- United States Auxiliary Naval Force.
- USAT -- United States Army Transport.
- USCG -- United States Coast Guard.
- USCGR -- United States Coast Guard Reserve.
- USCGS -- United States Coast and Geodetic Survey.
- USCS -- United States Coast Survey.
- USMC -- United States Marine Corps.
- USMCR -- United States Marine Corps Reserve.
- USMCWR -- United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve.
- USN -- United States Navy.
- USNA -- United States Naval Academy.
- USNR -- United States Naval Reserve.
- USNRF -- United States Naval Reserve Forces.
- USNS -- United States Naval Ship.
- USRCS -- United States Revenue Cutter Service.
- USRM -- United States Revenue Marine.
- USS -- United States Ship.
- USSB -- United States Shipping Board.
- VB -- Navy bombing plane; Navy dive bombing squadron.
- VBF -- Navy bombing-fighting aircraft; Navy bomber-fighter squadron.
- VBT -- bombing, torpedo plans.
- VC -- composite aircraft squadron.
- VD -- photographic squadron (aircraft).
- vert. -- vertical.
- VF -- Navy fighter plane; Navy fighter squadron.
- VFB -- fighter bombing plane.
- VF(M) -- fighter plane (two engine).
- VF(N) -- Navy night fighter squadron.
- VG -- light transport plane (single engine).
- VGF -- escort-fighting squadron.
- VGS -- escort-scouting squadron.
- VH -- ambulance plane; Navy rescue squadron.
- V.I. -- Virgin Islands.
- VJ -- utility plane; Navy utility squadron.
- VMB -- Marine medium and heavy patrol bomber squadron (land-based and seaplane).
- VMBF -- Marine fighter bomber squadron.
- VMD -- Marine hydrographic squadron.
- VMF -- Marine fighter squadron.
- VMF(N) -- Marine fighter squadron (night).
- VMJ -- Marine utility squadron.
- VMO -- Marine observation squadron.
- VMO(AS) -- Marine observation squadron (artillery spotting).
- VN -- training squadron.
- VO -- observation plane; Navy battleship observation squadron.
- VOG -- Navy observation plans squadron.
- Vog -- Henry Vogt Machine Co., Louisville, Kentucky.
- VOGHDR -- Vogt header-type boiler.
- VP -- patrol plane -- Navy patrol squadron.
- VPB -- patrol-bombing plane; Navy medium and heavy patrol bomber squadron (land based and sea, based).
- VPT -- patrol-torpedo plane.
- VR -- transport plane; Navy transport squadron.
- VS -- scouting plane; Navy shore based scouting squadron.
- VSB -- scout -- bombing plane.
- VSO -- scout observation plane.
- VT -- torpedo plane; Navy torpedo bomber squadron.
- VTB -- torpedo bombing plane.
- VT(N) -- Navy night torpedo bomber squadron.
- vt2 -- vertical double-expansion.
- vt3 -- vertical triple-expansion.
- vt,4 -- vertical quadruple-expansion.
- WAVES -- Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service.
- Wes -- Westinghouse.
- Wes-Del -- Westinghouse & De Laval.
- Wes-Falk -- Westinghouse & Falk.
- Wes-FB -- Westinghouse & Farrel-Birmingham.
- WestPac -- Western Pacific.
- WFB -- White-Forster-type boiler (manufactured by Babcock and Wilcox).
- Wint -- Winton Engine Corp., Cleveland, Ohio.
- WIW -- Washington Iron Works, Seattle, Washington.
- WL -- water line.
- WM -- White and Middleton Co., Springfield, Ohio.
- WSA -- War Shipping Administration.
- wt. -- water-tube boiler.
- WTDF -- water-tube single-furnace boiler.
- WWI -- World War I.
- WWII -- World War II.
- X -- submersible craft (self-propelled).
- XMAP -- sweeper device.
- YA -- ash lighter.
- YAG -- miscellaneous auxiliary (service craft).
- YAGR -- ocean radar station ship.
- YAR -- Yarrow-type boiler.
- YC -- open lighter (non-self-propelled).
- YCD -- fueling barge.
- YCF -- car float (non-self-propelled).
- YCK -- open cargo lighter.
- YCV -- aircraft transportation lighter (non-self-propelled).
- YD -- floating crane (non-self-propelled).
- Yd -- Yard (Navy).
- YDG -- district degaussing vessel.
- YDT -- diving tender (non-self-propelled).
- YE -- ammunition lighter.
- YF -- covered lighter (self-propelled); or freight lighter.
- YFB -- ferryboat or launch (self-propelled).
- YFD -- yard floating dry dock (non-self-propelled).
- YFN -- covered lighter (non-self-propelled).
- YFNB -- large covered lighter (non-self-propelled).
- YFND -- dry dock companion craft (non-self-propelled).
- YFNG -- covered lighter (special purpose) (later YFNX).
- YFNX -- lighter (special purpose non-self-propelled) (formerly YFNG).
- YFP -- floating power barge (non-self-propelled).
- YFR -- refrigerated covered lighter (self-propelled).
- YFRN -- refrigerated covered lighter (non-self-propelled).
- YFRT -- covered lighter (range tender).
- YFT -- torpedo transportation lighter.
- YFU -- harbor utility craft (self-propelled).
- YG -- garbage lighter (self-propelled).
- YGN -- garbage lighter (non-self-propelled).
- Y-gun -- Y-type depth charge projector.
- YH -- ambulance boat.
- YHB -- house boat.
- YHLC -- salvage lift craft, heavy (non-self-propelled).
- YHT -- scow, heating.
- YLA -- open landing lighter.
- YLLC -- salvage lift craft, light (self-propelled).
- YM -- dredge (sp.).
- YMLC -- salvage lift craft, medium (non-self-propelled).
- YMP -- motor mineplanter.
- YMS -- auxiliary motor minesweeper.
- YMT -- motor tug.
- YN -- net tender (boom).
- YNG -- gate craft (non-self-propelled).
- YNT -- district net tender.
- YO -- fuel oil barge (self-propelled).
- YOG -- gasoline barge (self-propelled).
- YOGN -- gasoline barge (non-self-propelled).
- YON -- fuel oil barge (non-self-propelled).
- YOS -- oil storage barge (non-self-propelled).
- YP -- patrol craft (self-propelled).
- YPD -- floating pile driver (non-self-propelled).
- YPK -- pontoon stowage barge.
- YR -- floating workshop (non-self-propelled).
- YRB -- repair and berthing barge (nsp.).
- YRBM -- repair, berthing, and messing barge (non-self-propelled).
- YRBM(L) -- submarine repair, berthing, and messing barge (large).
- YRC -- submarine rescue chamber.
- YRDH -- floating dry dock workshop (hull) (non-self-propelled).
- YRDM -- floating dry dock workshop (machine) (non-self-propelled).
- YRL -- covered lighter (repair).
- YRR -- radiological repair barge (non-self-propelled).
- YRST -- salvage craft tender (non-self-propelled).
- YS -- stevedoring barge.
- YSD -- seaplane wrecking derrick (self-propelled).
- YSR -- sludge removal barge (non-self-propelled).
- YSP -- stowage pontoon.
- YT -- harbor tug.
- YTB -- large harbor tug.
- YTL -- small harbor tug.
- YTM -- medium harbor tug.
- YTT -- torpedo testing barge.
- YV -- drone aircraft catapult control craft (self-propelled); or seaplane barge.
- YVC -- catapult lighter.
- YW -- water barge (self-propelled).
- YWN -- water barge (non-self-propelled).
- ZR -- rigid airship.
- ZRS -- rigid airship (scouting).
Published: Thu May 12 10:17:41 EDT 2016