[ Post a Response | The SteelNavy.Com Message Board ]
Posted by Rick Heinbaugh on January 14, 2026, 14:06:22, in reply to "Question about Pre-war US Navy Motor Boats"
You're right about the gig; it has the arrow through the name of the ship on the bow. Grey hull, same as the other ship's boats. Someplace, I have seen the boats numbered, but seeing Md here puts the lie to that as a standard practice.
I really believe that Admiral's barges were black, but I may just be confusing that with modern practices.
There should be an early counterpart to the modern NavShipsTecManual (NSTM) 583, covering Boats and Craft. Before WWII, it was Bureau of Ships, rather than Naval Sea Systems Command, but I'm pretty sure there was a BuShips Manual for small boats, covering your paint and marking rules. If you're bored, you can google NSTM 583 and look at section 583-3.2 for the modern rules.
Rick 
Previous Message
I'm trying to figure out the color scheme of each type of Motor Boat in the US navy prior to the outbreak of war.
From what I can tell, they were all 40' Motor Boats but have different markings and colors.
I know there are Admiral Barges - all with black hulls and different colored tops based on Rank I believe.
Then there are Captain's gigs and Officer's gigs.
Not sure if these were differentiated in appearance or color.
This shot of two gigs shows different style of ship ID. One appears to be gold with an arrow through it. Both are painted standard navy gray.
Is perhaps the arrowed gig the Captain's gig?
It appears by this photo that black hull/white tops were Rear Admiral barges. Not sure if it applies to both Upper and Lower Rear Admirals.
This photo shows a 4 Star Admiral Barge which appears to be black hull and black tops.
Any info on these Motor Boats is much appreciated.
Thx
Responses