University of Nebraska - Lincoln

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln

DOD Military Intelligence

US Department of Defense

4-1-1944

Photographic Interpretation Handbook, United

States Forces: Section 15 Naval Vessel
Identification
Robert L. Bolin Depositor
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, rbolin2@unl.edu

Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dodmilintel

Bolin, Robert L. Depositor, "Photographic Interpretation Handbook, United States Forces: Section 15 Naval Vessel Identification"
(1944). DOD Military Intelligence. Paper 18.
http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dodmilintel/18

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the US Department of Defense at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has
been accepted for inclusion in DOD Military Intelligence by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

SECTION
NAVAL VESSELS
15.01 -

15.99

15.

RESTRICTED

NAVAL VESSELS
DESIGN DESIGNATIONS

PRINCIPAL COMBATANT TYPES

BE
CB
CV
CVL

CVE
CA
CL

DD
DE
5S
SM

-Battleship
-Large Cruiser
-Aircraft Carrier
-Aircraft Carrier(light)
-.Aircraft Carrier(escort)
-Heavy Cruiser
-Light Cruiser
-Destroyer
-Destroyer Escort
-Submarine
-Minelaying Submarine

MINOR COMBATANT TYPES

CM

-Minelayer
-Light Minelayer
DMS
- High-Speed Minesweeper
AM
-Minesweeper
AN
-Net-laying Ship
PF
-Frigate
PE
- E a g I e Boa t
PG
-Gunboa t
P C Sub mar 1 n e Ch a s e r
PCE
-Patrol Craft Escort
pes -Submarine Chaser(136')
DM

SC

-Submarine Chaser(110')
-Motor Torpedo Boat
PY,PYc-Yacht

PT

NAVAL AUXILIARIES
TENDERS

AD
AH
AS
ASR

AR
ARB
ARG

ARH

ARL
ARS
AV
AVD
AVP
AGP

-Destroyer Tender
-Hospital Ships
-Submarine Tender
-Submarine Rescue Vessel
-Repair Ship
-Battle Damage Repair ,Ship
-Internal Combustion Engine
Repair Ship
-Hull Repair Ships
-Landing Craft Repair Ship
-Salvage Vessel
-Seaplane Tender
-Destroyer Seaplane Tender
-Small Seaplane Tender
-Motor Torpedo Boat Tender

CARGO AND FUEL

AE

AF
AK

AKA
AKS
AD
AOG

SHIPS

-Ammunition Ships
-Provision Storeship
-Cargo Ship
-Attack Cargo Ships
-Stores Issue Ships
-Oiler
-Gasoline Tanker

RESTRICTED

NAVAL AUXILIARIES

(I DENTI FICATION)
(CONT.)

TRANSPORTS

AP
APA
APD
APH
APM

-Troop Transport
-Attack Transport
-High-Speed Transport(DD)
-Wounded Evacuation Transport
-Mechanized Artillery Transport

APR
APV
AGC

-Rescue Transport
-Aircraft Transport
-Operations and Command
Headquarters Ship

LANDING CRAFT
The letters (S)(M) &(L) after the
designations indicate Small,Medium,
and Large.
LCR
-Landing Craft. Rubber
.,
Personnel
LCP
"
11
Assult
LCA
LCP (R)Per
sonne 1 (Ramp)
"
II
LeI
Infantry
"
LCV
Vehicle
"
"
Vehicle
Personnel
LeVp "
"
LCM
Mechanized
"
"
Tank
LeT
"
"
n
Support
LCS
"
Fl ak
LCF
Lec -Landing Craft. Control
tl
"
Emergency Repair
LCE
-La! ding Rarge, Vehicle
LBV
LBG
"
Gun
LBE
"
II
Emergency Repair
LVT
-Landing Vehicle, Tracked
DUKW -2~ ton Amphibian Truck
LSM
-Landing Ship, Medium
LST
"
" Tank
Dock
LSD
"
"
LSS
Stern Chute
"
II
LSG
Gantry
"

DISTRICT CRAFT
YAG
VMS
YMT
YN
YNg
YP
YT
CMc

yen
yaG
YO
YOS
YPK

-Miscellaneous District Auxiliaries

-Motor Minesweeper
-Motor Tug
-Net Tender
-Gate Tender
-District Patrol Vessel
-Rarbor Tug
-Coastal Minesweeper
-Fueling Barge
-Gasoline Barge
-Fuel-oil Barge
-Oil Storage Barge
7Pontoon Storage Barge

15.01

NAVAL VESSELS

RESTRICTED

(I DENTIFICATION ) ICONT.)

JAPAN

Reference:

LENGTH 870'
BEAM
::t138'

SHOKAKU

ON I

41-42

(2)
LENGTH 826 '
BEAM
93 '

CV

RESTRICTED

I
I
I
I
I
I
... I

NAVAL VESSELS
(IDENTIFICATION ) ICONT. "

Reference:

AOBA
CA

(I)

NACHI
CA

141

JAPAN

ONI 41-42

TENRYU

LENGTH

CL

KONG O

BB

NAGATO

BB

(2)

LENGTH
BEAM

LENGTH
BEAM

704'
95'

700'
9"

HOSH O

(I)

CV

LENGTH
BEAM

54"
62'

LENGTH
BEAM

6 56 '
62'

NATORI (4)

OTAKA (3)
LENGTH 59 "
BEAM
74 '

CVE

ATAGO
CA

(2 OF 4 )

LENGTH
BEAM

657'
62'

LENGTH 535'
BEAM
47 '

CL

NATORI

CL

(I)

L ENGTH 535 '

. ,~ BEAM
t .~ z..,...~ [t. ..,ft ~::'.i ~
'"'J1l:"'""'" 1 LI t l j
\ ~.
~: ",

( 'UY IS EO)

ar

47 '

r_

I .!..

..

0;-,....

. .

..... . . . .

"

c-:
(I)
LENGTH 598 '
BEAM
62 '

FUSO
BB

(I)
LE NGTH
8EAM

673'

'9"

67 '

YAMASHI RO
BB

673 '
94'

(I)

I-

AV
'lENGTH
BEAM

LENGTH
BEAM

KUMA

ATAGO 12 OF 4)
CA

" MOGAMI
CA

LENGTH
BEAM

(3)

TWO UNITS BELIEVED TO HAVEr BR OAD

657 '
62'

CL

(4)

LENGTH 535 '

BEAM
47'

LENGTH

FANTA IL S

39Z'

' 53'

,,-

TONE
CA

(2 )

LENGTH
BEAM

630'
63 '

YUBARI

CL

LENGTH 463 '

BEAM
39'

[
15 . 02

RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED

15.03

)"

NAVAL VESSELS
flDENTIFICATIONI (cONT.1
JAPAN
SENOAI

(I)

KATORI

Reference:

LENGTH 535'
BEAM
47'

CL

(3)

LENGTH 45 2'
49'

CL

RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED

FUBUKI (HIBIKI- 3)

DO

ONI 41 - 42

LENGTH

Re f er ence:

ONI 41-42

L ENG T H 287'
BEAM
zs'

379'

DO

34'

NAVAL VESSELS
!lDENTIFICATIONI ICONT.I
JAPAN

I
I

ASASHIO

DO

WAKATAKE
OM

L ENGTH

292'

26'

[I
I
AGANO

L ENGT H
BEAM

CL

5 50'
49'

HATSUHARU
00

AM

LENGTH 344 '

BEAM

3 2'

KAGERO CL ASS (?) S I JII I LAR

TERUTSUKI

(5)

DO

APPRO X,
BEAM

~35'

37 '

SHIGURE

(6)

DO

LANDING CRAFT

LENGT H 34 1'
BEAM
3Z'

TYPE C
TYPE A ( ARMY)

LC

LENGTH 49 ' 4 " 0 . "'.

BEAM
11'5"
EST. CAP. 115 MEN

LC

LE NGT H 4" 0 " O,A.

BEAM
13 ' 0 "
CAP. 50 MEN

TYPE F

LC

LENGTH 2 1' 00."'.

BEA M
"
EST. CA P.

[
FUBUKI (AMAGIRI-7)

DO

L ENGTH 3 79'

MUTSUKI

BEAM

DO

34 '

(5)

L ENGTH 336'
BEAM
30'

TYPE A (NAVY)

TYPE 0

LC

LC

LENGTH 38' 6 " 0 A.

BEA M
II ' 0 "
EST. CAP. 60 MEN

LC

LENGTH 52' ' '' O. A.

BEA M
13' 3 "
EST. CAP. 50 MEN

TYPE H

LENGTH YJ' O 0. A.
13'6"
BEAM

TYPE G

[
KAMIKAKE

FUBUKI

DO

15.04

(SHINONOME - 2)

379'

34'

CLASS (8 ) SIMILAR

MINEKAZE

DO

L ENGTH 3 3 6 '
2 9'
BEAM

RESTRICTED

TYPE B

LC

LENGTH 30' 4 " 0 ."'.

BEAM
l ' 6"
EST. CAP. 4 0 MEN

RESTRICTED

TYPE E

LC

L ENGTH 63'2" O, A,
BEAM
S' ' "
E ST CAP. 60 MEN

15.05

RESTRICTED

NAVAL VESSELS
!IDENTIFICATION) ICONT.)
JAPAN
1-1

Reference :
320'X 30'

1-1 6 1

ONI 41-42

NAVAL VESSELS

RESTRICTED

!IDENTIFICATION) ICONT.)
GERMANY
Reference:

ONI 204

32,' X 26'

GRAF

CV

ZEPPELIN

ADM I RAL
LE NGTH
8EAM

850'
89 '

CA

SCHEER

LENGTH
BEAM

618'
70'

NAVAL VESSELS
/lDENTIFICATIONI (CONTJ
GERMANY
DO

ONI 204

410'

BEAM

39'

SIEBEL FERRY
1~ 4 '

X21'

7~'

x 56'

ry"'1

KARL GALSTER

' 00

LENGTH 400'
BEAM
38'

TON -MINE LAYER

37'

2 ~ 0'X22'

I
I

[I
[I
[I
[I
I

WOLF
LENGTH
BEAM

Refe r e n ce :

RENOWN

ON! 201

GREAT BRITAIN

( I)

LENGTH
BE AM

794 '
103'

KING

LENGTH

745'

BB

BEAM

103'

NELSON (2) 1
~

L ENGT H

710'

BE.'' '''

le 6'

cc

ROYAL SOVEREIGN (4 )
BB

LENGTH
BEAM

621 '
103'

ILLUSTRIOUS
CV

LENGTH

753'

SUBMARINES
1600

381'

TB

NAVAL VESSELS
/IDENTIFICATION I (cONTJ

Re f e r e nce :

NARVIK
LENGTH

RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED

304'
28'

600

TON - MINE LAYER

250'X20'

BB

----

(4)

SEAM

FURIOUS
CV

LEN GTH

BEAM

96'

786'

92'

.
It

WAR SPITE
BB

(I)

LENGTH
BEAN

644'
104'

ARGUS
CV

LEN GTH

BEAM

561 '

76'

,)

1600

MOWE
TB

LENGTH
BEAM

[I
I

TON - SUPPLY

288'
27'

QUEEN

LE NGTH 6 44'
BEAM
104'

BB

BATTLER
ACV

~~~~~~~~~
-...J

517

TON

'

/1

'-

r.

_{_J_l _!f_'. _~[_

;~. ._
J

220' x 20'

If

T-I
TB

LENGTH
BEAM

MAL AYA
BB

27~'

28'

250

(I)

LENGTH 640'
BEAM
104 '

ARCHER

ACV~II~~~~~~~=-IIII.r~

TON -cOASTAL

{o:
au

15 . 08

A[~

170237

RESTR,.CTED

RESTRICTED

15 . 09

RESTRICTED

NAVAL VESSELS
IIDENTIFICATION) ICONT.)
GREAT BRITAIN
DEVON'SHIRE (3)
CA

Re f e re nce:

LENGTH
BEAM

633'
66'

EMERALD
CL

(I )

(ENTERPRISE SI MILAR )

ONI 201

LENGTH

BEAM

570'

55'

LONDON
CA

KENT

(5)

630'
68 '

CA

HAWKINS

(2)

CA

LENGTH

605'

BEAM

55 '

LEANDER
CL

(4)

LENGTH
BEAM

555'
55'

I=

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

RESTRICTED
Re f erence :

ONI

ARETHUSA (2)
CL

(I)

CL

LENGTH

BEAM

SOUTHAMPTON (5)

15.10

LENGTH
BEAM

ADEL AI DE
CL

(I )

( AUSTRALIA)

CALEDON

614'

l'

(2)

(5)

13 CONVERTED
TO A-A SHIPS)

CARLISLE
CL

RESTRICTED

LENGTH
BEAM

(5)

(3 CONVERTED
TO A-A SHIPS)

RESTRICTED

TRIBAL

500'
51'

DO

4 73'
41'

DO

LENGTH
BEAM

463'
50'

LENGTH

4 50'

BEAM

CERES

63'

592 '
62 '

20 1

CL

CL

CL

!IDENTIFICATION) ICONT.)
GREAT BRITAIN

DRAGON

CL

BELFAST

NAVAL VESSELS

' L'

AND " M' CL ASSES

LENGTH
BEAM

364'
37'

LENGTH

355'

BEAM

' J ":K" AND " N" CLASSES

37'

LENGTH

43'

LENGTH
BEAM

4 50'
44'

LENGTH
BEAM

450'
44'

"0" CL AS S

THORNYCROFT
DO

L EADERS

LE NGTH
BEAM

338'
35'

LENGTH

329'

BEAM

32'

IS. II


)'

NAVAL VESSELS

RESTRICTED

flDENTI FICATION) (cONT.)

GREAT BRITAIN

Reference:

RESTRICTED

ONI 201

Reference:

ON!

NAVAL VESSELS
54R

IOWA
HUN T CLASS-FIRST GROUP
LENGTH
BEAM

DO

LENGTH 887 '

BEAM
108'

BB

214'
29'

IIDENTIFICATION) ICONT.)
UNITED STATES
PENNSYLVANIA

BB

LENGTH
BEAM

600'
106'

LENGTH
BEAM

575'
108'

C =c ffi
'I' AND ITHURIEL CLASSES
DO

0
NEW JERSEY
WISCONSIN
M'SSOUR'

NORTH CAROLINA
LENGTH
BEAM

320'
34'

HUNT CLASS -S ECOND GROUP

DO

BB
LENGTH
BEAM

LENGTH
BEAM

729'
108'

LENGTH
BEAM

680'
108'

NEVADA

BB

27 4 '
32'

WASH INGTON

SOUTH DAKOTA
WAIRS

BB
DO

LENGTH
BEAM

314'
3 1'

''' ' ,

573'

106'

BB

I
ADMIRALTY ' V' AND
THORNYCROFT
DO

' w'

CLASSES

TENNESSEE
LENGTH
BEAM

312'
30'

da

:1 1~

LENGTH

624'

BEAM

108'

CV

DO

276'
27'

RIVER CLASS FRIGATES

PG

LENGTH
BEAM

15.12

LENGTH
BEAM

295'
37 '

II

RESTRICTED

'-J-l\

RESTRICTED
Ii

9 10 '
112'

c= = :::::~

II
LENGTH
BEAM

LENGTH
BEAM

I
ADMIRALTY ' S'

554'
106'

W'I'QtIIINGCntAlN1NG StuP1

SARATOGA

C z=t_-

BB

LENGTH
BEAM

624'
loe'

ESSEX
CV

15.13

RESTRICTED

NAVAL VESSELS

NAVAL VESSELS

RESTRICTED

(IDENTIFICATION) (CONT.)
UNITED STATES

(IDENTI FICATION) (CONT.)

UNITED STATES

Reference:

ENTER.PRISE

LENGTH
BEAM

CV

ONI 54R

Re fer ence:

ONI

54R

825'
110'

10

0
RANGER
CV

O.

..f

0
LENGTH
BEAM

769'
100'

NEW
CA

++ . ++

0
INDEPENDENCE
CVL

LENGTH
BEAM

610'
79'

ALASKA

SANGAMON

BALTIMORE

CVE

CA

CL

LENGTH
BEAM

541'
~2'

0
LENGTH
BEAM

CB

DRAWING

580'
62'

..

++

.. . ..
NO

ATLANTA
LENGTH
BEAM

B08'

LENGTH
BEAM

89'

585'
65'

SUMNER
DO

LEN GTH
BEAM

376'
4 1'

LENGTH
BEAM

376'
39'

AVAILABLE

173'

ul

FLETCHER

CLEVELAND

DO

CL

LENGTH 60"
BEAM
62'

608'
62'

.~,

PORTLAND
CA

~
1

LENGTH
BEAM

610'
66'

? ??rSlts:$Qj~- .;

15.14

RESTRICTED

ST. LOUIS

LENGTH

CL

BEAM

RESTRICTED

BENSON-LIVERMORE
DO

348'
35'

608'
62'

PORTER
DO

IS. IS

NAVAL VESSELS

RESTRICTED

(IDENTI FICATION) (CONT.)

UNITED STATES

Reference:

[I

NAVAL VESSELS

RESTRICTED

(IDENTIFICATION) (CONT.)
LANDING CRAFT-UNITED NATIONS

ONI 54R
Reference:

ONI 226
LENGTH

LSD-LANDING SHIP, DOCK

MAHAN-DUNLAP

LENGTH

DO

341'

3"

BUCKLEY
DE

FARRAGUT

341'
34'

LENGTH
BEAM

Lei (Ll - LANDING CRAFT , INFANTRY (LARGE)

LENGTH

Lei (Ll-LANDING

CRAFT,INFANTRY. (LARGE)

IIIB'

23'

306'

(LONG HULL)

3"

c::: :
DO

1- 350 CLASS

458'

wl38>

28&'

DE

(SHORT HULL)

35'

SIMS-BENHAM

341'
35'

DO

103 CLASS
PT

8 a,
LeT - LANDING
MARK VI

381'
36'

DO

BASS

341'

DO

<::::JJ

LENGTH
BEAM

CRAFT, TANK

c: =::Ite

116'

Lei (Sl- LANDING CRAFT

INFANTRY (SMALL!

32'

BALAO

285'

3"
LCVP-LANDING CRAFT, VEHICLEPERSONNEL
L. 36'

312'X 27 '

3'*"5

SARGO

!16'

B.

Ill'

8.

10'

L------'--_---Jl

DECKER

LENGTH

BEAM

314'

308' X2S'

SALMON

31'

LCM 131- LANDING

PORPOISE

MACKEREL

zrir

r
300' X2S'

243'X22'

RESTRICTED

l I

I
I
I

L. 50'
B. 14'

LCP ILl-LANDING CRAFT,PERSONN

(LARGE)
L.
8.

37'
II'

DUKW -TRUCK, AMPHIBIAN

L.
8.

II

31'

8'

7
310'X27'

LCV-LANDING CRAFT, VEHICLE

15.16

21'

g'Er

DO

106'

LENGTH
BEAM

34I'X27'

TAMBOR

FLUSH

LENGTH

SHIP, MEDIUM

371' X 33'

NARWAHL

GRIDLEY-BAGLEY

L S M- LANDING

112'
33'

~[

SUBMARINES
SOMERS

LENGTH
BEAM

LeT - LANDING CRAFT, TANK

MARK V

L. 80'
B. 21'

L.

36'

8.

II'

T1'1

LANDING VEHICLE
LCP IR1- LANDI NG CRAFT,PERSON NEL LVT(Al-I-TRACKED,ARMORED
(RAMP)

L. 37'

8.

II'

L. 26'
B.

II'

CRAFT, MECHANIZED

.Q - - I I I I

Ii

02!..l
LCS

(S)-l-~e~~b~~ I;=:[~'

L. 37'
8/

RESTRICTED

II'

=d":S'>

';;>

[ ITJ)

LCA-LANDING
L.
8.

41'
10'

CRAFT, ASSAULT

[~~

.,
-,
ltd
~

II

15.17