Mulberries
Mulberries
Due to the usual poor weather conditions at the three-mile stretch at Cherbourg, France, the British worked a few years before the invasion to conceive and design a unique way to keep the uninterrupted supply of men and materiel to combat the enemy. These designs resulted in two artificial harbors, both built in the United Kingdom. Constructed by U.S. Navy Seabees and Sailors, Mulberry A was utilized by the United States, and Mulberry B was used by the United Kingdom. Making up the mulberries were structures that allowed ships to pass through breakwater, the bombardons, and concrete caissons, Phoenixes, that made a sea wall on two sides of the artificial harbor, where Liberty ships and small vessels would moor. In the inner harbor, pontoon section runways and the Lobnitz pierheads would enable LSTs, and other smaller craft, to unload at any stage of the tide. Gooseberries were also vital to these harbors as they provided sheltered water for landing and other craft at the beachhead. Mulberry A became operational on June 16. Unfortunately, a strong storm approached on 18-19 June, which began to break-up and destroy the mulberry due to harsh winds and waves. In the following days, damage to the artificial harbor became so severe that it was deemed to be unrepairable. Despite the damage to the mulberry, Mulberry B was still operational and lasted throughout the winter. Of note, the Gooseberries held strong on both locations during the destructive multiple-day storm. In addition to the Mulberries, Rhino Ferries, connected engine-powered pontoons, would transport heavy equipment and people in the artificial harbor areas.
To view more imagery on the Mulberries from the NHHC Navy Library, please click here.
Image: 80-G-285136: Normandy Invasion, Mulberry B, November 1944. The pontoon causeway at "Utah" Beach, forming part of Mulberry B, the man-made harbor off the coast of France, built to protect landing craft from storms in the English Channel. Note, LCT-525. Photograph released November 7, 1944. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
