Cargo Chutes and Conveyors Aboard Combatant Ships

摘要

The purpose of the investigation was (1) To summarize the effectiveness of chutes and conveyors utilized aboard the USS NEW JERSEY (BB62), USS CORAL SEA (CVA43), USS BENNINGTON (CVA20). (2) To present the results of a comparison report of lightweight roller conveyors vs. lightweight wheel conveyors aboard USS ALSTEDE (AF48). The findings were: (1) The lightweight gravity conveyors and sheet metal chutes contributed considerably to speeding the movement of stores during replenishments both in port and at sea. A former Supply Officer of the USS NEW JERSEY indicated that from his experience in transfers at sea, it is now possible to stow dry provisions three times as fast using chutes and conveyors than by the strictly manual method. The Commanding Officer, USS CORAL SEA, stated that during a major replenishment at sea, the manpower requirements were reduced by 100% (300 to 150 men) and the rate of striking stores increased 50% (100 to 150 tons per hour). (2) Although results of studies indicated the superiority of the lightweight wheel conveyor over the lightweight roller conveyor, the use of both types of lightweight conveyor permitted a far more efficient operation due to the resulting ease of movement of supplies and the elimination of a good part of the physical drudgery previously necessary in replenishment operations. This increased efficiency was accomplished with minimum requirements for cube and weight of the additional equipment. (Author)