Shipping Vehicles from A to B. Crates, Cranes, Decks & Docks.

Motorcycles were generally netted in 1940. There was of course a difference between vehicles belonging to units going overseas and new machines 'crated for export'.

.

 

Utilisation of space became an obsession as convoy losses increased and in the end they were quite good at it. Sorry about the poor quality - scanned from 'The Motor-Cycle'. March 15th 1945.

 

Cargo, troop ships in World War II. Many aircraft delivered themselves. P-39 Aircobras and P-63 Kingcobras to the Soviets featured here.

Cargo, troop ships in WW II. Many aircraft delivered themselves. P-39 Aircobras and P-63 Kingcobras to the Soviets featured here.

 

https://www.marad.dot.gov/wp-content/uploads/pdf/The_United_States_Merchant_Marine_at_War.pdf

 

Rich Payne says: Utilisation of space became an obsession as convoy losses increased and in the end they were quite good at it. (my underlining).

They had always been good at it. One of the Chief Mate's jobs was to fill the ship, without voids, and if possible get her down to her marks at the same time. Light cargo had to be on top, to save crushing; cargoes like tea were kept well clear of smelly cargoes etc. At the same time he had to ensure that the ship would be stable at all stages in the voyage and carried enough water; while the Engineers often told porkies about the amount of fuel they had - usually keeping more than a few tons 'in hand'. You could write a book about it, someone did 'Thomas' Stowage'. Then there was Strategic Loading, for landings, but that's another story.

 

Roy, certainly not my intention to cast aspersions on the MN, but they had to make the best of what was delivered to them. In 1940, motorcycles were put in railway goods wagons in Birmingham and unloaded at Chilwell before being taken by lorries to the docks. By 1945, in preparation for ending the war against Japan, contracts were specifying 'Crated for Export' and 'Made suitable for the Tropics'. It was often no longer necessary to load 'loose' motorcycles.

 

Perhaps not quite according to best practice. A poor old Crossley Airfield Tender on the way to Greece.

 

The Plimsoll Line also looks rather high! I hope they made it to their destination.

 

Bren carrier being unpacked. Photo (of photo) taken at Battle of Normandy museum Bayeux, June 2014.

 

One point worth noting is the comment in the British Army Training Memoranda is the exhortation to remove anything valuable or detachable from equipment shipped because British dockworkers were thieves. (As were British servicemen. The same training note advised of a vehicle left unattended in Tobruck for an hour. The driver returned to find it without lights aerials distributor rotor, coil tyres etc.)

 

Kennedy's boat

 

Christmas morning at Adam's house. In a perfect world.

 

This is how the Canadians slung BSAs - You can see it's Canadian by the large chunk of padding on the seat that allowed them to ride as if on a Western saddle.

 

I really don't know what's going on here. Maybe they think that the BSA is a witch ?

 

I wonder if those are half-tracks in the White crates. The boxes look a little small. Would have to be though, right? The 6 ton White was even bigger and not many scout cars went overseas.

Great thread. Thanks for starting it.