Gas Turbine Propulsion Machinery for the MSTS Roll-On/Roll-Off Ship

The history of the roll-on/roll-off type of cargo ship is reviewed to illustrate the development of the specific ship requirements for the Adm. Wm. M. Callaghan. The ship is unique in that it is the first large cargo ship to be built which has been initially designed to incorporate all advantages of gas turbine propulsion. The basic engineering problems and selections involved in the design of the machinery plant are briefly described. The service performance of this ship will have a significant influence on future applications of gas turbine machinery for commercial ships.