Landing Craft Repair Ships (ARL)

Converted from LST hulls and fitted with machine shops, forges, and welding equipment to repair damaged landing craft at forward anchorages. Every amphibious invasion in the Pacific depended on these ships - named for figures from Greek mythology, they kept the landing craft running when beach obstacles, mines, shellfire, and mechanical failure put boats out of action faster than replacements arrived. From New Guinea to Okinawa, ARLs were the unsung backbone of the island-hopping campaign.