Yup we had an area on board and an elevator big enough to allow us to carry our own vehicles... it was big down below as a basketball court. We could easily transport more than a dozen vehicles. We had an in-port fire in that area once and it was so intense, the fire came up several decks, ruined several cable runs and took out aux steering. We had to go to the yards for repairs.

I was away at a C school at the time and came back to hear the stories of having to fight the fire, and I had to do repairs in my equipment spaces which were several decks above the actual fire.

However, regarding the loss of a major component in the engine room... we once lost some critical part on the evaporator(s) and we had no fresh water for about 3 weeks as we transited to west pac. We had enough fresh water to continue to steam and cook food, but showers and hot water and laundry were off... We became quite a gamey crew. There was a run on any and all underwear, etc in the ship's store. We pulled into the yards in the Philippines for repairs.

The funny (ironic) thing for me was going to the ships store late during this period and facing nothing but these horrible orange and white striped socks... why they existed in the first place I have no idea, but they were all that was left, so I bought the 5 pair... and wore them. Later, long into my civilian life I still had them and would laugh every time they managed to rise to the top of the sock drawer. I think I finally tossed 'em about 10 years ago. (I wore them proudly when cycling... they were so garish)