WWII Navy Ship Bunks

[deacon]

So, I couldn't think of any other place to put this, so I decided here would work.

In love of the hobby of reenacting, and the space issue at my house. I decided to start a navy bunk project.

When I stayed the night on the USS Missouri, I got the privilege to lay in one of the original WWII Bunks. It was actually the most comfortable bed I ever lay in.

So here is a photograph of the bunk I am going to fabricate.


the only difference between mine and this one, is there will only be three bunks, not four. So there will be about five more inches of space between each bunk.

I will post photos of progress soon, and hopefully will get it finished soon as well.

[deacon]

Ok, so here is what I have so far...

the frame is done, and all that is left, is to make flanges to attach it to the floor and ceiling. Also I need to get canvas and put 88 grommets in each one. (That 264 grommets!). I need to paint it, and clean my closet, so I can get it in there. Unlike the ones pictured above, mine will have the staggered safety rails. they are 1/2 inch pipe, that sit 5 inches tall, and 32 inches long.

[hairy apple]

That's pretty rad. I like it.

[Retrohead]

Awesome project there deacon! Cant wait to see it done

[deacon]

Thanks guys! I painted it white, and its lookin' real good. I'm getting some metal tomorrow hopefully, to make flanges. Then I can get it mounted in my room... After I clean it that is! Anyway, Ill keep you all updated on my progress.

[hairy apple]

What are you using them for exactly? Shelves? Actually going to sleep on one?

[deacon]

Oh, Im sleepin' on them! Its my new bed since my old one has been beaten and broken over about 8 years.

[Totez]

Looks good. Can't wait to see the finished bed.

[boz]

This thread hasn't been written in for years, but I'm a 24 year Navy veteran/retiree, and also a naval architect / USN ship designer, so I'll add in. In my younger days I slept in these type of bunks (called pipe berths), on circa 1970's amphibious assault ships, generally for the 'Marines as cargo' (the Navy ship's crew in this era generally had a nicer bunk, a sheet metal bunk/box....one would lift up the bunk surface and there would be your locker for clothing....and one could press your dress clothing by putting it under the mattress and sleeping on it. And these 'upper crust' bunks had individual reading lights, and better vents). This type of pipe bunks was used even more prevalently in WW2, for both crew and Marine assault passengers....I believe generally crew might have three-highs, and 'cargo' have four-highs. This type of canvas pipe bunk, with a rather thin mattress, as I recall, was pretty comfortable, and very inexpensive to outfit, and had the other advantage in 'tight-packing' of during the daytime could be lifted up on both sides of the berthing passageway, making more floor space for hanging around (on the deck...). This type of canvas pipe bunks are still occasionally utilized on more DIY and bargain-priced boats or even RVs.