Landing Craft Hull Numbers in World War Two

This page updated 3-13-2024.

An American Auto Industry in World War Two Special Edition

It may seem an inappropriate location for World War Two landing craft hull numbers to be located on a website that is entitled "The American Automobile Industry in World War Two."  From the strict standpoint of the title, landing craft hull numbers don't seem like a good fit.  But there is a direct connection between the American auto industry and landing craft.  Engines built by the American auto industry in Detroit, MI powered the majority of the American landing craft from the 36-foot wooden landing craft like the LCP(L) up to and including the LCT.  The engine of choice was the Gray 64H9/Detroit Diesel of GMC 6-71 diesel engine.  The next engine of choice was the Hall-Scott Invader gasoline engine built by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, MI.  Without the American automobile industry, there would not have been a sufficient number of engines for all of the landing craft that were produced.  Over 55,000 6-71  landing craft engines were produced by Detroit Diesel.  Hudson added another 4,000 Invader engines.

While doing my research on engine usage in landing craft, it became evident that information was lacking on landing craft production records for all of the companies that built them.  While the numbers of vehicles built by the American auto industry, and in many cases, the associated serial numbers are available, there is almost a complete absence of hull numbers by manufacturer. 

To me, this is a challenge.  Slowly, I am finding bits and pieces of information on Navy C hull numbers assigned during World War Two.  The results are below.  This page will continue to grow as I find new sources of information.