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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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Topic
  • Aviation
  • Boats-Ships--Submarine
Document Type
  • Ship History
Wars & Conflicts
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Location of Archival Materials

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

  • 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 (back to the Top)

  • 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 (back to the list)

  • 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.

D (back to the list)

  • 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.

E (back to the list)

  • 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 (back to the list)

  • 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.

G (back to the list)

  • 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.

H (back to the list)

  • 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.

I (back to the list)

  • 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.

J (back to the list)

  • JCS -- Joint Chiefs of Staff.
  • JHendy -- Joshua Hendy.
  • JTF -- Joint Task Force.

K (back to the list)

  • k. -- knots.
  • KA -- contraction of AKA (attack cargo ship).
  • Kopp -- Koppers Manufacturing Co.
  • kw. -- kilowatts.

L (back to the list)

  • 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 (back to the list)

  • 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 (back to the list)

  • 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.

O (back to the list)

  • off. -- officer(s).
  • OIC -- Officer in Charge.
  • OTC -- Officer in Tactical Command.

P (back to the list)

  • 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).

Q (back to the list)

  • QIW -- Quintard Iron Works, New York, New York.
  • quad. -- quadruple.
  • quint. -- quintuple.

R (back to the list)

  • 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 (back to the list)

  • 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 (back to the list)

  • 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.

U (back to the list)

  • 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.

V (back to the list)

  • 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.

W (back to the list)

  • 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 (back to the list)

  • X -- submersible craft (self-propelled).
  • XMAP -- sweeper device.

Y (back to the list)

  • 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).

Z (back to the list)

  • ZR -- rigid airship.
  • ZRS -- rigid airship (scouting).
Published: Thu May 12 10:17:41 EDT 2016