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Other Self-Propelled Service Craft, 1946-1980: Photo Gallery

Some of the photos here were selected from the comprehensive NavSource Photo Archive and are acknowledged with thanks.

Click on the photos to prompt larger views of the same images.

Notes: In October and November 1945 SecNav split the "List of United States Naval Vessels" into a "List of Naval Vessels" and a "List of District Craft including Service Craft and Floating Equipment." Between April and June 1949 the latter became the "List of Service Craft." In June 1946 a final "N" was attached to the type designations of the non-self propelled units of certain types to distinguished them from the self-propelled units. The types affected as of 1948 were YF/YFN, YFR/YFRN, YG/YGN, YO/YON, YOG/YOGN, and YW/YWN. Hull numbers were not changed.

With a huge inventory left over from World War II, no new service craft were built between 1946 and 1980 except for one ferry boat and 13 harbor utility craft. Even without the excess inventory the trend continued, and only eight new service craft (excluding tugs) were built between 1980 and 2025. Some conversions are also illustrated below.

Diving Tender (YDT)

Phoebus (YDT-14, ex YF-294)underway on the Potomac River at Washington DC in late August 1980, outbound to Panama City FL, the location of the relocated US Navy Diving and Salvage Training Center.
(Photo: NavSource 14401402)

Suitland (YDT-15) docked at the south east pier, Washington Navy Yard, by the Navy Diving and Salvage School, February 1977. YDT-16 (ex YFNB-43) is behind her and seaplane wrecking derrick YSD-39 is ahead of her.
(Photo: NavSource 14401501/NARA K-116668)

Ferry Boats and Launches (YFB)

YFB-66 photographed on 5 August 1958 in the NAVSTA Boat Pool at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. YFB 65-66 operated with YFB-82 from September 1951 until they were replaced in May 1970 to connect Leeward Point with the main base.
(Photo: NHHC S-093-F)

Wa'a Hele Honua (YFB-83) with Moko Holo Hele (YFB-87) on the left. The ferries operated to Ford Island until 1998, when the Admiral Clarey Bridge replaced them.
(Photo: NavSource 1435008302)

Moko Holo Hele (YFB-87) on 31 May 1996 making its hourly crossing from near the USS Arizona Memorial to the Ford Island landing.
(Photo: NARA RG-330-CFD-DN-SC-97-01132, taken by Don S. Montgomery, USN (Ret))

Harbor Utility Craft (YFU, classification added 11 Oct 1957)

Between 1958 and 1966 the Navy reclassified seventy Utility Landing Craft (LCU's) to Harbor Utility Craft (YFU's). On 20 Oct 1966 it contracted for six new construction YFU's, YFU 71-76, and on 1 Jun 1967 it contracted for six more, YFU 77-82. These were called "Skilak cargo craft." On 1 June 1968 LCU-649, 715, and 1373, all at NSA Danang, were reclassified YFU 83-85. However YFU-83 was reclassified back to LCU-649 on 27 Feb 1969, a new YFU-83 having been ordered on 12 Jun 1968 as part of a contract with Defoe SB for a large group of LCU's under FY 68 and 69, LCU 1646-1666. YFU-83 was the last unit in the FY 68 group, coming between LCU-1660 and LCU-1661. The Navy then returned to converting LCU's to YFU's, ending with YFU-102 circa 1972.

YFU-71 on 10 August 1967 in San Francisco Bay with ramp lowered.
(Photo: NHHC Small Boat Collection)

YFU-71 on 10 August 1967 in San Francisco Bay.
(Photo: NHHC Small Boat Collection)

YFU-72 on 9 October 1967 in San Francisco Bay.
(Photo: NHHC Small Boat Collection)

YFU-72 on 9 October 1967 in San Francisco Bay, head on view.
(Photo: NHHC Small Boat Collection)

YFU-81 loading stores from a quay.
(Photo: NavSource 141808103)

YFU-82 with vehicles embarked. YFU-82 became IX-506 as a range support vessel on 1 Apr 1978.
(Photo: NavSource 141808210)

YFU-83 underway, 20 April 1984, at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico during Ocean Venture 84.
(Photo: NavSource 141808302/DOD photo DF-ST-85-09814)

YFU-83 underway, 30 March 1988, at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico during Ocean Venture 88.
(Photo: NavSource 141808301/DOD photo DM-ST-90-10209)

Light Salvage Lift Craft (YLLC, classification added 1 Sep 1967)

These craft were part of Harbor Clearance Unit One, formed in 1966 and also including non-self propelled Heavy Lift Craft (YHLC/AHLC) and Medium Lift Craft (YMLC). The YLLCs were capable of lifting 25 tons with an A-frame derrick mounted forward and capable of a 100-ton ballast bow lift. They also were fitted with air compressors for diving operations, salvage tools, and three complete sets of beach gear each with a 60-ton pull. (Wikipedia)

YLLC-2, ex YFU-16 1 Sep 1967, originally LCT(6)-1388. She is probably shown alongside SS Baton Rouge Victory, which was run aground on 26 August 1966 in the Long Tau River after a limpet mine tore a large hole in her hull.
(Photo: NHHC L-file)

YLLC-5, ex YFU-2 1 Sep 1967, originally LCT(6)-529. The A-frame on the bow is folded back on deck.
(Photo: NHHC L-file)

Drone Aircraft Catapult Control Ships (YV, classification added 15 Sep 1954)

E-LSM-445 after conversion to a Radar Test and Evaluation Ship in June-July 1947. She was decommissioned and laid up in December 1951, becoming Catapult (YV-1) in 1954.
(Photo: NavSource 101444501)

Catapult (YV-1) after conversion and reclassificatinn to a Drone Aircraft Catapult Control Ship in 1954. The drone facilities were aft. She was named on 1 June 1957.
(Photo: NavSource 101444508)

Launcher (YV-2), ex E-LSM-446, recommissioned on 20 October 1954 after conversion and reclassification to a drone aircraft catapult control ship. The drone facilities were forward. She was named on 1 June 1957.
(Photo: NHHC UA-164)

Launcher (YV-2) showing forward drone platform with drones on catapults.
(Photo: NHHC)

Targeteer (YV-3), inactivated as LSM-508 on 5 February 1947, was reclassified YV-3 on 26 May 1960, named on 26 June 1960, and commissioned on 7 April 1961. She served until December 1968.
(Photo: NH 1066963)