The YMP-2 had no rudder and was powered by two units providing propulsion and steering. Each unit had five, 4' long paddles which rotated and changed directions (pitch) as called for from the bridge. These units were liberated from the Germans in the aftermath of WW2 and used for experimental mine planting. We called the units Egg-beaters because of the way they looked as we saw them in drydocks.

When planting mines, I was stationed in the propeller lazarette. We had egg-beaters for propellers and they { the propeller shafts } had to be greased often to keep seawater out. The overhead was only 4 feet above the deck. The ship had a lot of trouble with the propeller control system and someone, ME, had to be in the lazarette so if something happened, manual control could be engaged. { I've heard of this being done on the ENTERPRISE ( STAR TREK ) never on a US Navy Ship before }. The propellers were five bladed. There were two sets of propellers aft. We could come up to { abreast of } a pier and move sideways up to the pier for securing the lines. When planting mines we could stay in one place and not have to drop anchor { Army crews would drop the mines on the fly as they laid cable from the L-Boats to each mine }.

Walking the boom

Crew member of the YMP-1 on the YMP-2
c1955 @ JRobinson

Close-up #1 to above photo

Close-up #2