View source for Auxiliary ship

{{Short description|Type of naval ship}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=October 2021}}
{{worldview|date=May 2022}}
}}
[[File:Navy supply vessel "Berlin".jpg|thumb|[[German Navy]] {{sclass|Berlin|replenishment ship|1}}]]
An '''auxiliary ship''' is a [[naval ship]] designed to support [[combatant ship]]s and other naval operations.<ref>Cutler and Cutler, p.16</ref> Auxiliary ships are not primary combatant vessels, though they may have some limited combat capacity, usually for purposes of self-defense.<ref>Morris, p.192</ref>
<ref>[https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/abbreviations.html Ship Abbreviations and Symbols]''navy.mil''</ref>

Auxiliary ships are extremely important for [[navy|navies]] of all sizes because if they were not present the primary fleet vessels would be unsupported. Thus, virtually every navy maintains an extensive fleet of auxiliary ships, however, the composition and size of these auxiliary fleets vary depending on the nature of each navy and its primary mission. Smaller coastal [[navies]] tend to have smaller auxiliary vessels focusing primarily on littoral and training support roles, while larger [[blue-water navy|blue-water navies]] tend to have larger auxiliary fleets comprising longer-range fleet support vessels designed to provide support far beyond [[territorial waters]].<ref>[https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA328307 Navy Ships: Turning Over Auxiliary Ship Operations to the Military Sealift Command Could Save Millions]''dtic.mil''</ref>

==Roles==
[[File:HMCS Preserver (AOR 510).jpg|thumb|[[Royal Canadian Navy]] auxiliary oiler {{HMCS|Preserver|AOR 510|6}} during New York fleet week, 2009]]
[[File:US Navy 070615-N-4614W-035 Amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) conducts a refueling at sea with Australian auxiliary oiler HMAS Sirius (AOR 266) as dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) approaches during exercise Talisma.jpg|thumb|Australian oiler {{HMAS|Sirius|O 266|6}} refueling {{USS|Essex|LHD-2|6}}, June 2007]]
[[File:USNS Furman (T-AK-280) underway off Guam 1981.JPEG|thumb|American cargo ship [[Victory ship|USNS ''Furman'']], 1981]]
[[File:USS Vulcan AR-5 Norfolk 1992.jpeg|thumb|American repair ship {{USS|Vulcan|AR-5|6}}, June 1992]]
[[File:Cuxhaven 2005 -Seeschlepper Wangerooge- by-RaBoe 001.jpg|thumb|German tugboat [[Wangerooge-class tug|''Wangerooge'']], 2005]]
[[File:Leeuwin at Waterhen Dec2013.JPG|thumb|Australian survey ship {{HMAS|Leeuwin|A 245|6}}, December 2013]]
[[File:US Navy 031009-N-9693M-002 The U.S. Navy Barracks Craft Auxiliary Personnel Lighter Sixty One (APL-61) is moored alongside the U.S. Naval Academy's Dewey Seawall.jpg|thumb|US Navy barracks ship APL-61 in 2003]]

===Replenishment===
{{main|Replenishment oiler}}
One of the most direct ways that auxiliary ships support the fleet is by providing [[underway replenishment]] (also known as "replenishment at sea") to major fleet units. This allows the fleet to remain in the same location, with the replenishment vessels bringing up fuel, [[ammunition]], food, and supplies from [[shore]] to the fleet wherever it is operating.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marine |first=Mega |date=2023-10-09 |title=Significance of Auxiliary Ship |url=https://www.shipmachineryparts.com/post/significance-of-auxiliary-ship |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=Ship Machinery Parts |language=en}}</ref>

[[Replenishment oiler|Oiler]]s ("replenishment tankers") are vessels specifically designed to bring fuel oil to the fleet, while the earlier [[Collier (ship type)|Colliers]] supplied coal-burning [[ironclads|steamship]]s. Specific role replenishment vessels include [[Combat stores ship|combat stores ships]], [[depot ship|depot ships]], [[general stores issue ship|general stores issue ships]], and [[ammunition ship|ammunition ships]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}

[[Ship's tender|Tenders]] are specifically designed to support a type of smaller naval unit, like [[submarine]]s, [[Destroyer|destroyers]], and [[seaplane]]s, providing a mobile base of operations for these units: specifically [[destroyer tender]]s, [[submarine tender]]s, [[seaplane tender]]s, [[torpedo boat tender]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/navalships/as.htm|title=Submarine Tenders (AS)|website=shipbuildinghistory.com|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/navalships/ago.htm|title= Other Auxiliaries(AGB, AGC, AGDS, AGEH, AGER, AGF, AGM, AGMR, AGP, AGR, AGTR)|website=shipbuildinghistory.com|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref>

===Transport===
{{main|Attack transport}}
Supporting front-line operating bases requires immense transportation capacity.  Transport ships are often converted [[Cargo ship|merchant ship]]s simply [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] (APA, APD, APH, APV){{Technical inline|date=June 2023}} into naval service. [[Tanker (ship)|Tankers]] are transports specifically designed to ship fuel to forward locations. Transport ships are often employed not only carrying cargo for naval support but are in support of all forces of a nation's military (AK, AKA, AKN, AKR, AKS). In particular, [[troopship]]s and [[attack transport]]s are used to carry a large number of soldiers to operational theatres. Some transport ships are highly specialized, like the [[ammunition ships]] employed by the US Navy.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2011-02-01|title=Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship makes last Plymouth call|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-12340832|access-date=2021-09-18}}</ref> Large ocean tugs (AT, ATO, ATF, ATA, ATR){{Technical inline|date=June 2023}} are used to tow large auxiliary ships, like barges, floating repair docks, and floating cranes in the open sea, also disabled ships.{{refn|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/smallships/auxat.htm|title=Ocean Tugs (AT, ATO, ATF, ATA, ATR)|website=shipbuildinghistory.com|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/navalships/ao.htm|title=Oilers AO|website=shipbuildinghistory.com|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/navalships/ac.htm|title=Combat Logistics Resupply Ships AC AE AF AFS AKE AOE AOR|website=shipbuildinghistory.com|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/navalships/ak.htm|title=Cargo Ships AK AKA AKN AKS|website=shipbuildinghistory.com|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/navalships/aog.htm|title=Gasoline Tankers AOG|website=shipbuildinghistory.com|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/navalships/ad.htm|title=Destroyer Tenders AD|website=shipbuildinghistory.com|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/navalships/av.htm|title=Aviation Support Ships AV AVP AVS|website=shipbuildinghistory.com|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/navalships/ag.htm|title=Miscellaneous Auxiliaries AG|website=shipbuildinghistory.com|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/navalships/ap.htm|title=Troop Transports (AP)|website=shipbuildinghistory.com|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/navalships/apa.htm|title=Attack and Other Transports (APA, APD, APH, APV)|website=shipbuildinghistory.com|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref>}}

===Repair===
{{main|Repair ship}}
Repairing ships at sea or in conflict areas is important as it allows these vessels to return to service more quickly, while also increasing the chance of survival for ships critically damaged in battle. [[Repair ship|Repair vessels]] (US Navy: AR, ARB, ARC, ARG, ARH, ARL, ARV){{Technical inline|date=June 2023}} range from small equipment ships known as [[Auxiliary repair dock]]s, to the larger [[Auxiliary floating drydock|Auxiliary floating drydocks]], there are also [[Aircraft repair ship]]s that specialize in repair of [[naval aircraft]].<ref name="shiphistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.shipbuildinghistory.com/smallships/auxafd.htm|title=Floating Dry-Docks (AFDB, AFDM, AFDL, ARD, ARDM, YFD)|date=30 April 2015|publisher=shipbuildinghistory.com|access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref>

===Harbor===
{{main|Type V ship|Type B ship}}
Harbor support is a critical support role, with various types of vessels including [[tugboat]]s, [[barge]]s, [[Lighter (barge)|lighter barge]]s, [[Crane vessel|derrick-crane vessel]]s, and others used to move ships and equipment around the port facilities, and [[depot ship]]s and tends to service ships currently in the harbor. These vessels also help maintain the harbor by dredging channels, maintaining [[jetty|jetties]] and [[buoy]]s, and even providing floating platforms for port defenses.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}

In US Navy, tugboats are type YT, YTB, YTM, YTL or a [[Type V ship]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/smallships/yt2.htm|title=Yard Tugs Wartime YT YTB YTM YTL|website=shipbuildinghistory.com|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref> and barges are classified as a [[Type B ship]] or YF, YFN, YFR, or YFRN.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/smallships/yf2.htm|title=Freight Lighters Wartime YF YFN YFND YFR YFRN YFRT|website=shipbuildinghistory.com|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref>

===Support===
[[Radar picket]] to increase the radar detection range around a force. [[USS Annapolis (AGMR-1)|Communications Relay Ships]] (AGMR) are floating communications stations. [[Tracking ship|Tracking ships]] or Range Instrumentation Ships (AGM) are equipped with antennas and electronics to support the launching and tracking of missiles and rockets. [[Command ship]] (AGF) are flagships of the commander of a fleet. [[Wind-class icebreaker]] (AGB WAGB) are support ships. [[Rescue and salvage ship]] and [[Submarine rescue ship#United States Navy|Submarine rescue ship]] (ASR) for surface support ship for ship and submarine rescue. [[Barracks ship|Barracks ships]] or Auxiliary Personal Living ships, (APL) are vessels-barges for service men to live on.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}

===Research===
A wide variety of vessels are employed as [[Technical research ship|Technical Research Ships(AGTR)]], [[Tracking_ship|Tracking Ships(AGM)]], [[Technical research ship#Environmental research ship (AGER)|Environmental Research Ships (AGER)]], [[USS Plainview (AGEH-1)|Hydrofoil Research Ships (AGEH)]], and [[survey vessel|Survey Vessels]], primarily to provide a navy with a better understanding of its operating environment or to assist in testing new technologies for employment in other vessels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/navalships/ago.htm|title=Other Auxiliaries AGB, AGC, AGDS, AGF, AGM, AGMR, AGP, AGR|website=shipbuildinghistory.com|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref>

===Hospital===
{{main|Hospital ship}}
[[Hospital ship]]s are able to provide medical care in remote locations to personnel.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Custodio|first=Jonathan|title=U.S. transport ship and field hospitals heading to Haiti for quake relief|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/19/us-transport-ship-haiti-aid-506342|access-date=2021-09-18|website=POLITICO|language=en}}</ref>

===Unclassified auxiliary ship===
{{main|List of unclassified miscellaneous vessels of the United States Navy}}
The [[US Navy]] also used an unclassified miscellaneous auxiliary ship classification in which the unclassified miscellaneous auxiliary ship classification is ''IX''. An unclassified miscellaneous auxiliary ship can be a new ship without a classified role or a ship that does not fit into a standard category or a ship that had been removed from its classification.<ref>[https://www.militaryperiscope.com/weapons/ships/auxiliary/unclassified-miscellaneous-ix-units/overview/ Overview — UNCLASSIFIED MISCELLANEOUS (IX) Units]''militaryperiscope.com''</ref><ref>[http://www.navsource.net/archives/09/46/46idx.htm Unclassified auxiliary ships] ''Navsource''</ref><ref>[https://www.shipscribe.com/usnaux/IX3/IX3type.html Unclassified (IX): Special Types]''shipscribe.com''</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of auxiliaries of the United States Navy]]
*[[List of auxiliary ship classes in service]]
*[[Service Squadron]]
*[[US Naval Advance Bases]]
== References ==

=== Notes ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
* {{cite book|title=Dictionary of Naval Terms |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6mGLsY0G1O8C&q=auxiliary+ship |last1=Cutler |first1=Deborah W. |last2=Cutler |first2=Thomas J. |edition=6 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |date=2005  |isbn=978-1591141501}}
* {{cite book|title=Academic Press Dictionary of Science and Technology |url=https://archive.org/details/academicpressdic00morr |url-access=registration |page=[https://archive.org/details/academicpressdic00morr/page/192 192] |quote=role of auxiliary vessels. |first=Christopher G. |last=Morris |publisher=Academic Press |edition=1 |date=1992 |isbn=978-0127356327}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}

{{Warship types of the 19th & 20th centuries}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Auxiliary Ship}}
[[Category:Auxiliary ships| ]]
[[Category:Ship types]]