Bayfield-class attack transport

USS Bayfield (APA-33) on 4 January 1950
Class overview
Name	Bayfield
Builders	Western Pipe & Steel Ingalls Shipbuilding
Operators	United States Navy
Preceded by	Ormsby class
Succeeded by	Sumter class
In commission	1943–1945 – 1946–1970
Completed	34
Active	None
General characteristics
Type	Attack transport
Displacement	8,100 tons, 16,100 fully loaded
Length	492 ft 6 in (150.11 m)
Beam	69 ft 6 in (21.18 m)
Draft	26 ft 6 in (8.08 m)
Propulsion	Geared turbine drive,[1] 2 × D-type boilers,[2] single propeller, designed shaft horsepower 8,500
Speed	18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph)
Boats & landing craft carried	12 × LCVP 4 × LCM 3 × LCP(L)
Capacity	4,500–4,800 tons (175,000–200,000 cubic feet).
Complement	Crew: 51 officers 524 enlisted Flag: 43 officers, 108 enlisted Troops: 80 officers, 1,146 enlisted
Armament	2 × single 5-inch 38 caliber dual purpose guns, one fore and one aft 2–4 × twin 40mm cannon or 2 × quad 1.1-inch/75-caliber gun mounts 2 × single 40 mm cannon 18 × single 20mm cannon

The Bayfield-class attack transport was a class of US Navy attack transports that were built during World War II.

With the entry of the United States into the war, it was quickly realized that amphibious combat operations on hostile shores would be required, and that specialized ships would be needed for the purpose. The so-called "attack transport" ship type (hull classification symbol APA) was developed to meet this need. Attack transports were converted from standard transport vessels by being upgraded with extra firepower, and outfitted with a number of smaller integral landing craft (such as LCVPs and LCMs) with which amphibious assaults could be conducted.

The first attack transports began to enter service in 1942 and were built ad hoc from a host of different types. The first class to be built in substantial numbers was the Bayfield class, which began to enter service in 1943. The early vessels were converted from existing cargo or transport ships, later ones built as attack transports from the keel up.