Below are several full text declassified Navy documents of interest to researchers working on historic naval ships. Please contact us with the Mail Feedback Form with any corrections or additions.
(Some of these are provided as PDF files, if you have trouble reading these, Adobe® Acrobat® Reader is a Free Download.)
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General Specifications-Appendix 10, 1936 describes the Nomenclature of decks, Numbering of watertight compartments and Labeling used aboard vessels of the U.S. Navy. Included are three small amendments made in 1947, 1948 and 1949.
Word Abbreviations (10.8 MB PDF), Navy Ships Parts Control Center, 1971. Helpful for some of the obscure abbreviations found in manuals and drawings. Also see a list of abbreviations from USN drawings that we created based on booklet of generals plans notes.
Handbook of Damage Control, NAVPERS 16191, 1945, was created near the end of World War II and represents best practices in WW II damage control.
Shipyard Outside Machinist, Bulletin 345-K, 1942. A WW II training manual explaining how to align pumps, gaskets, etc.
Engine Room Tools, 1949, is a training manual that focuses on the correct use of tools aboard ship. It is noteworthy because it includes tools that are specific to the maritime trades.
Net and Boom Defenses, Ordnance Pamphlet 636A, 1944, shows how Net and Boom defenses were used to protect ships and harbors from submarines and torpedoes during WW II.
Navy File Manual, 1941. When looking at U.S. Navy records, they are normally sorted by the Navy Filing Manual.
Standard Subject Identification Codes, 1987, a Cold War version of the U.S. Navy filing manual. ssic.pdf (5.9 MB PDF).
Also see m5210-2.pdf (1 MB PDF) for a 2005 version.
24 Inch Searchlight, Model 24-G-20, Spec 17S21, 1944. This covers a typical 24 inch U.S.N. Navy carbon arc searchlight of WW II. These were used for signaling, visual search, navigation and even fire control. They were installed on almost every surface ship.
Foundry Manual, NAVSHIPS 250-0334, 1958, was created for use by foundry personnel creating castings aboard repair ships and tenders.
Typewriter Maintenance, TM 37-305, 1944, presents the proper methods of adjustment and repair of the U.S. typewriters of WW II.
Reference Book for Graphotype Class 6300, TM 10-626D, 1952, is a user manual for the classic embossing machine used for dog tags, data plates, etc. graphotypeuser.pdf (2.6 MB PDF) Graphotype Class 6100, 6200, 6300 Service Manual, 5A 914-90, 1960, is the service manual for the same class of machines. graphotypeservice.pdf (4.4 MB PDF)
Instructions for Using Singer Electric Sewing Machines 99-23 and 99-24, 19753, 1941 singer-99-24-instructions.pdf (3.6 MB PDF) List of Parts, For Family Shops, Machine No. 99-24, 19884, singer-99-24-parts.pdf (3.3 MB PDF)
Textbook of Seamanship, 1891, by Commodore Luce, revised by Lieutenant Ward. A classic manual of seamanship under sail or steam from very near the end of the age of sail.
Submarine Torpedo Fire Control Manual, 1950. This describes how to plan a submarine's approach and attack using the fire control systems on Fleet and Guppy submarines with straight running torpedoes.
Swedish Export Submarines, Hans Ellerstrom, 1989. swedishsubs.pdf (19.3 MB PDF).
USS Pompon Ships Orders, 1944, Includes Ships Orders, Compartment Check-Off Lists, Emergency Bills, Diving and Surfacing Instructions. suborders.pdf (11.5 MB).
USS Pampanito General Information Book, 1943, Includes detailed information about Pamapanito as planned during construction ss383-general-info.pdf (80 MB).
Torpedo Data Computer Mark 3, Mark 3, Mods 5 to 12 inclusive, O.P. 1056, 1944 describes the most successful torpedo fire control computer of WW II. It is considered a masterpiece of mechanical computing design.
Submarine Attack Course Finder Mark I Model 3, O.D. 453, 1922. This describes the circular slide rule commonly know as an "is-was" used to calculate an approach and attack by an submarine.
Torpedo Angle Solver Mark VIII Operating Instructions, O.D. 3518, 1941. This describes the hand operated torpedo angle solver commonly called a "banjo". It is used to calculate the gyro angle when the Torpedo Data Computer is not available.
5-Inch Gun Mount Mark 40, OP 1029, 1944, describes the five inch, 25 caliber, wet mount gun used on U.S.N. submarines near the end of WW II.
40-MM Wet Mount Assemblies (Single), OD 5853, 1947, describes modifications to the Army single Bofors 40mm gun for use on submarines. The manuals for the gun are in the ordnance section below.
Submarine Medicine Practice, 1956. This was prepared for the training and orientation of medical personnel to the problems associated with diving and submarine life. It provides an insight into the life aboard submarines.
Medical Study of the Experiences of Submariners as Recorded in 1,471 Submarine Patrol Reports in World War II, 1949. duff.pdf (30.2 MB PDF).
History of Submarine Medicine in WW II, 1947. This includes many stories, typical medical supplies, as well as history. shilling.pdf (52 MB PDF).
Standard Submarine Phraseology, describes a set of uniform voice procedures and phraseology for use throughout the U.S. WW II submarine fleet.
Submarine Telephone Talker's Manual, NAVPERS 16171, 1944, Voice communications in the sub and standard submarine procedures and phraseology. subtalker.pdf (3.5 MB).
Ordnance Equipment List for Submarines, Oct 1945. NAVORD OD 4608, Second Revision. Although not an allocation list, this has the weights, quantities, and sometimes dimensions typical at the end of the war.
Submarine Periscope Type 2, 1940. Describes a type 2 attack periscope (89KA40/1.414) used during WW II. Be sure to also check the Fleetsub Periscope training manual. periscope-type2-1940.pdf (14.5 MB).
Submarine Periscope Type 4, 1942. Describes a type 4 standard periscope (93KN36) used during WW II. Be sure to also check the Fleetsub Periscope training manual. periscope-type4-1944.pdf (13.5 MB).
Submarine Periscope Type 2E, NAVSHIPS 0324-048-6000, 1962. Describes the type 2E attack periscope used during the Cold War. Many of these have been donated to museums for display periscopes. periscope-2e.pdf (6.4 MB).
Periscope Motion-Picture Camera 16mm., Mark 2, Mod. 0, 1943, Shows the 16mm film camera and periscope mount carried by US Submarines during WW II. periscope-motion-picture-camera-mk2.pdf (5.7 MB).
Optical Equipment, Periscopes, Mark XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII and XIX description, O.P. 495, 1924. Describes early submarine periscopes. periscope-mk-16-19.pdf (2.4 MB).
Target Bearing Transmitter, Mark 8, O.P. 1189, 1944. Describes the transmitters for the waterproof binoculars used for target designation on US WW II submarines. (missing pages 14-15) tbt-mk8-op1189.pdf (19.9 MB).
Target Bearing Transmitter, Mark 9, O.P. 1148, 1945. Describes the transmitters for the waterproof binoculars used for target designation on US WW II submarines. tbt.pdf (10.1 MB).
Telescopes Mark 90 Mods. 0-1 and Mark 91 Mods. 0-1, Principles of Operation and Instruction for Shipboard Maintenance, OP 1398, 1946. Describes the waterproof binoculars used on the TBTs and five inch 25 cal guns. telescope-mark-90-91-op1398.pdf (8.4 MB)
Submarine Sanctuaries Bombing And Attack Restrictions, 1943 shows how submarines and allied aircraft were supposed to be deconflicted. Unfortunately we also know that there were numerous friendly fire incidents during WW II.
14" Sebastian Lathe, Collection of information on the lathe installed in US submarines during WW II. sub-lathe.pdf (13.8 MB).
Standard Organization Book for 2100-Ton Destroyers, 1943. This describes the organization of the personnel and standard procedures on a WW II destroyer. Among the many tables there are details that provide insight in to the life aboard and operation of a destroyer.
Fire Control Fundamentals, NAVPERS 91900, 1953, is an introduction to mechanical computing gun fire control. The basic fire control principles of gun against a surface target are then applied to the control of Anti-aircraft guns, Antisubmarine Weapons, Torpedoes, Rockets and Guided Missiles.
Gun Mount And Turret Catalog, Ordnance Pamphlet 1112, 1945, is a Navy catalog of Gun Mounts and Turrets that includes almost all the U.S. Navy WW II equipment.
U.S. Explosive Ordnance, Ordnance Pamphlet 1664, 1947, describes and illustrates United States Navy projectiles, Army and Navy rockets, pyrotechnics, grenades, land mines, bombs, and guided missiles.
Tools, Maintenance, for Repair of Group A Material, WD CAT ORD 6 SNL A-35, DOA SC Group A, 1949. Dept. of the Army Supply Catalog, Tools for small arms. pdf/ord-6-snl-a-35-tools-small-arms.pdf (5.6 MB)
B.R. 932, Handbook on Ammunition, 1945. British Navy ammunition from WW II br932.pdf (21 MB PDF)
U.S. Navy Projectiles and Fuzes, 1945, is a catalog of U.S.N. projectiles and fuzes. This document was removed from the web site in Mar 2010 at the request of the USN, NHHC Washington, DC for classification review. If you are an EOD technician and need ordnance data, the US military Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technical Support Center, EODTSC@navy.mil supports EOD operations worldwide 24/7.
British Bombs and Fuzes, 1944, is a catalog of British, bombs, fuzes, rockets, demolition charges, etc. from WW II. This document was removed from the web site in Mar 2010 at the request of the USN NHHC for classification review.
Mine Disposal Handbook, 1945, was created by the U.S. Navy Bomb Disposal School near the end of WW II. It covers all forms of underwater ordnance, not just mines.
Surface Pyrotechnics and Projectors, Ordnance Pamphlet 1177, 1945, describes modified fireworks used by surface ships, submarines and merchant ships. These are used for used for signaling, marking, or illuminating objects.
Missile Launchers and Related Equipment Catalog, Ordnance Pamphlet 1855, 1953, is a U.S. Navy catalog of missile launchers, rocket launchers, depth charge projectors, and related equipment.
Index of Ordnance Publications, OP 0. 1953, This lists all the Ordnance Pamphlets (OP), Ordnance Data, (NAVORD ODs), Ordnance Technical Instructions (NAVORD OTIs), Ordnance Handling Instructions (NAVORD OHIs), Aviation Ordnance Modification Instructions (NAVORD OMIs), NAVORD Charts (Not Issued to Fleet Activities) and War Dept. Publications (Stocked at NAVGUN). This is the place to find out what manuals you are missing.
Alternative 1946 version with low quality images in PDF, OP0.pdf (18 MB PDF)
B.R. 1534, Handbook on Minor Fire Control Instruments, 1946, describes the Vickers Range Clock, Dumaresq, Coventry Range Clock, Portable Fire Control Tray, Range Transmitter and Spotting Box, Deflection Transmitter and Spotting Box. Some of these classic British instruments were kept in use over 50 years.
The Gunnery Pocket Book, B.R. 224/45, 1945. This manual represents the peak of British WW II gunnery. Examples included are taken from the six-inch cruiser of the Mauritius class, a Dido class cruiser, and a typical destroyer.
The Ordnance Catalog, Standard Nomenclature List No. A-38, Gun, Machine .50, Browning M2, Aircraft-Basic, Parts and equipment list. gun-50cal-snl-a-38.pdf (10.4 MB)
Group A, List of all Service Parts of Gun, Machine, Cal. .50, AN-M3, Aircraft, Basic, ORD SNL A-67, July 1955 gun-50cal-snl-a-67.pdf (26.5 MB)
Record of Army Ordnance Research and Development, Volume 2 Small Arms and Small Arms Ammunitions, Book 2 Small Arms Ammunition, Chapter 18-Packaging of Small-Arms Ammunition, pgs 287-320. Record-of-Army-Ordnance-Small-Arms-Ammo-Cans.pdf. History of M2 and T10 ammunition cans.
20 MM Antiaircraft Gun, OP 911, 1943, is a Navy service manual for the anti-aircraft gun of choice during the early years of WW II.
20 MM Antiaircraft Gun Mount, OP 909, 1943, is a Navy service manual for the 20 mm gun mounts used aboard ships during during the early years of WW II.
Twin 20-mm Antiaircraft Assemblies, OP 1439, 1945, is a Navy service manual for the twin mount version of the classic WW II anti-aircraft gun on the tripod style mount.
20 MM A.A. Single and Twin Mounts, All Marks and Mods, Illustrated Parts Breakdown, NAVORD OP 3476, 1967. 20mm-navord-op-3476-ipb.pdf (11.2 MB)
Basic Fire Control Mechanisms, OP 1140, 1944, describes the mechanical computing elements used in U.S. Navy fire control systems. These components are the building blocks of some of the most successful analog mechanical computers ever built. (in PDF)
Basic Fire Control Mechanisms Maintenance, OP 1140a, 1946, has maintenance procedures for the mechanical computing elements used in U.S. Navy fire control systems. (in PDF)
Standard Fire Control Symbols, OP 1700, 1950, and 1957 established a set of standard fire control symbols to be used in various U.S. Navy fire control systems.
Stable Element Mark 6 Ordnance Pamphlet 1063, 1944, describes the stable element that determines the pitch and roll of the ship and supplies this to the fire control computer.
Detail Specifications For Building Motor Torpedo Boats, 1944. This provides the builders specifications for PT 565-624. Numerous details about PT Boats appear in the manual that provide insight to both the technology and the life aboard PT Boats.
The Howell Torpedo, 14.2 Inches, Mark I., 1896, is a manual for the first torpedo to be produced in quantity by the U.S. Navy. From 1890-1896 it was used as an antisurface ship torpedo fired from battleships and torpedo-boats.
Projectors Mark 10 Mod 1 and Mark 11 Mod 0, NAVORD OP 1001, 1962, Covers the Hedgehog depth charge projector of WW II. hedgehog-projector-mk10-mk11.pdf (5.2 MB)
Torpedotown U.S.A., 1989. A history of the Naval Undersea Warfare Engineering Station, 1914-1989, Lisa Poole with Dianne Robinson.
ECM Mark II Operations Manual, 1944. This describes the high level US cipher system used from 1941-1959. The manual covers CSP-888, CSP-889, SIGABA, M-134C, CCM (Combined Cipher Machine with British). Also see Operating Instructions for ASAM 1, 1949.
Unit Course in Marine Electricity, 1942. Museum ships stabilizing or restoring their electrical systems will appreciate many parts of the manual. Items such as the proper ways of working with armored cable, lacing, etc. are included.
Transmission Lines Waveguides and Fittings, NAVSHIPS 900,081, 1945, describes radio and radar transmission lines, cables and waveguides aboard ship. Museum ships stabilizing or restoring their radios or radars systems will appreciate many parts of the manual. Esp. handling radar waveguide.
Introduction to Radio, 1946. An introduction to electronics and naval radio. It covers basic tube electronics in the beginning, then explains the basic operating instructions for typical WW II radios.
Notes on Servicing Radio and Sound Equipment, 1942, is a training manual that introduces the art of tube radio and sound equipment repair. This included both receivers and transmitters, and the motor generators they use.
Radar Operator's Manual, 1945. This is a WW II radar operator's manual. It covers the most typical radars of WW II.
Naval Sonar, 1953. This manual describes the peak of WW II US sonar technology with a hint of the coming Cold War innovations.
Arma Gyro-compass Mark 7, Mod. 4, 1943, is a service manual for the preferred U.S. submarine gyro-compass of WW II. This was also used on small surface ships that had fire control, but only one gyro. It is very similar to the Arma Mk 8 Gyro-compass used on larger CA, BB, and CVs.
Gyro-compass Mark XIV, Mod. 1, 17-1400D, 1944, is a service manual for the most widely built gyro of WW II. This gyro was used on pretty much any U.S. ship that did not have automated fire control.
The Brown Steering Gyro Compass, Handbook, Type "B" Equipment".
brown-gyro-type-b.pdf (4 MB PDF)
Catalogue of Electronic Equipment, NAVSHIPS 900,116, 1952, is a U.S. Navy catalog of electronics that includes almost all the WW II equipment and some of the early Cold War equipment.
Summaries of Data of Radio Equipment, Volume 1, B.R. 333(1) Vol 1, 1971, is a British Navy catalog of radio electronics. br333vol1.pdf (7.9 MB PDF)
Summaries of Data of Radio Equipment Volume 2, B.R. 333(1) Vol 2, 1971, is a British Navy catalog of radar electronics. br333vol2.pdf (7.2 MB PDF)
U.S. Navy Synchros, O.P. 1303. synchros.pdf (6.8 MB PDF)
Visual Call Sign, DNC 4(A), 1945, is a U.S. Navy list of visual (as compared to radio) call signs used during WW II.
Combat Information Center Magazine, 1944-1945. A monthly magazine created during WW II to spread the best practices in the rapidly developing art of integrating information (particularly radar) for command and control in U.S. Navy ships.
Naval Ships' Technical Manual (NSTM):
We have requested the release of more of these from the U.S. Navy. NOTE THAT THESE MAY BE OUT OF DATE. Use them for museum interpretation and background information, but do not directly follow them without checking more current and possibly safer references.
Relatively Modern Standards and References
NOTE THAT THESE MAY BE OUT OF DATE. Use them for museum interpretation and background information, but do not directly follow them without checking more current and possibly safer references.
Relatively Modern Training Courses
Although in training course format, these also serve as reference material in their topics. NOTE THAT THESE MAY BE OUT OF DATE. Use them for museum interpretation and background information, but do not directly follow them without checking more current and possibly safer references.
