U.S. landing craft carries its own pier.

U.S. landing craft carries its own pier. A pontoon bridge section is swung into position by a tractor (left) to form a pier or roadway from the open bow doors of a U.S. Navy LST (landing ship-tank) to a beach in Sicily. The landing craft carries steel pontoon gear fastened to its side to be used when rock or shoals prevent the vessel from comming up the beach. LST craft haven been extensivly employed in the Mediterranean theater and in the North and South Pacific.