Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory Archive

IN THE SCHOOL OF OCEAN AND EARTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I AT MANOA

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SBB-14: Navy Lighterage

Historic photo: Navy Lighterage with propulsion

Diagram: 1500 barrel p-series fuel barge

HURL Artifact No.	SBB-14	*Denotes approximations and speculations


Name:	Unknown	Lost:	Unknown
Artifact Type:	Navy Lighterage	Found:	10-Aug-2009
Nationality:	USA	Dive No:	PIV-207
Class or Make:	P-Series Pontoon	Location:	Kewalo
Model:	18 x 6 Stringer	Depth (m):	348m
Purpose:	Dock, Wharf, Fuel Storage, Freight Barge or Bridge	HURL crew:	Kerby, Kelley
Serial Number:	Unknown	Additional Dives:
Built/Launched:	After 1942

Length:	100'
Width:	45'
Height:	5'



Circumstance of Loss:	Unknown	Crew Personnel/Position:	n/a

Reason of Loss:	Unknown	Crew Survivals/Fatalities:	n/a

Artifact History:	Unknown

Artifact Condition:	The lighterage is made up of a series of steel rectangular cells connected together. It is 18 rows long and 6 sections wide. There is a long open access port near one corner. A few of the cells have broken loose, most likely from impact with the seabed. Some of the cells have holes in them. There are a couple tires and some mangled siding lying about.

Additional Information:	There were 5 types of P-Series pontoons in various shapes for use in 7 different barge or causeway configurations. The 18 x 6 type barge is the 2nd largest and is made up of P-1 cubicle shaped pontoons which were the most common type. They were 5' x 7' x 5' and 3/16" thick. Propulsion could be added making a lighter that was capable of up to 250 tons or accessories could be added to convert it to a 1500 barrel capacity fuel storage barge. Add hinges and it could be a wharf for outfitting or repair. They were first developed in WW II and used through Korea & Viet Nam. It is being used extensively as a habitat by fish and eels.

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