Turret Deck Ship

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Turret Deck Ship refers to a type of late 19th century commercial ship designed to minimize Suez Canal fees that were based on deck area. These ships are characterized by a narrow 'turret deck' upon which all superstructure was built. This deck sat upon a hull of greater width in which cargo was carried.

The vessel type is most commonly associated with a series built by William Doxford and Sons Ltd., Sunderland for trade that required Suez Canal passage. All were steam vessels and the term turret deck steamer is also commonly found.

The design lost favor after accidents, apparently associated with misuse of the space under the turret deck for heavy cargo, and was largely abandoned after the first decades of the 20th Century.

The term Turret ship may be applied to these vessels causing confusion with the warship design in which guns are mounted in trainable turrets.