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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo #  NH 65091:  SS Edgar F. Luckenbach underway, circa 1916


Online Library of Selected Images:
-- SPECIAL INFORMATION --

MAST-KINGPOST-FUNNEL CODING --
A useful Ship Identification Tool

A widely-used scheme for identifying merchant-type ships (including Naval vessels with merchant ship characteristics) is the Mast-Kingpost-Funnel Coding system. This describes a ship by its arrangement of masts, kingposts, and funnels (smokestacks). The Online Library uses a version of this system, with some additions to indicate particular features that might otherwise prove confusing.

The coding symbols are:
  • MAST = "M"
  • KINGPOST (pairs) = "K"
  • FUNNEL (Smokestack) = "F"
    Less-common features are coded:
  • KINGPOST (single) = "KS"
  • KINGPOST PAIR connected at the top (also called a "goalpost") = "KC"
  • KINGPOST PAIR connected at the top, with topmast = "KM"
  • KINGPOST (pair) installed close to a smokestack = "KF".

    There is a vast potential variety of arrangements coded under this system. Some examples of coding are:

  • A ship with a simple Mast--Funnel--Mast arrangement is coded: "M-F-M".
  • A ship arranged with a pair of kingposts followed by a mast on the foredeck, then a split superstructure with a pair of kingposts just forward of the funnel, then a mast and a final pair of kingposts is coded: "K-M-KF-M-K".
  • A ship with three pairs of kingposts forward, funnel amidships, and three pairs of kingposts aft, with the middle pair of kingposts in each group of three connected and carrying a topmast, is coded: "K-KM-K-F-K-KM-K".

    Caution: Arrangements of masts, funnels and kingposts frequently change during an individual ship's career. A situation commonly encountered is a kingpost that has "grown" into a mast, or vice versa. Some features can be difficult to see, for example short kingposts which are simply "lost" in a ship's topside clutter or are hidden by other structures at some angles of view. Seen from the side, singly installed kingposts can be easily mistaken for kingpost pairs, and vice versa. Some funnels are oddly shaped, or small, and may be difficult to identify as such. Light masts, fitted amidships for signalling or affixed atop kingposts, may come and go during a ship's life and, when fitted, may not be very visible. Approach any ship identification task with these considerations firmly in mind!

    This page features an explanation of the system of mast, kingpost and funnel (smokestack) coding used for identification of merchant ships, with appropriate illustrations.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Examples of Mast-Kingpost-Funnel Arrangements, and coding:

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    "M-F-M" ARRANGEMENT
    Seen on USS Tenedores, 1918.

     
    Picture Data
    "M-M-F-M-M" ARRANGEMENT
    Seen on S.S. Edgar F. Luckenbach, circa 1916.

     
    Picture Data
    "M-K-F-K-M" ARRANGEMENT
    Seen on USS Iowan, 1919.

     
    Picture Data
    "K-KM-K-F-K-KM-K" ARRANGEMENT
    Seen on USS South Bend, 1919.

     
    Picture Data
    "KS-KF-M-K-KS" ARRANGEMENT
    Seen on USS Independence, 1918.
    NOTE: As an example of the difficulty in distinguishing kingpost pairs ("K") from single ("KS") kingposts, when ships are seen from the side, see: Photo # NH 70472, which also shows USS Independence.

     
    Picture Data


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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    Page made 18 March 2007