Why cargo liners made effective amphibious conversions

The Glen vessels were cargo liners rather than pure passenger ships or ordinary freighters. Their holds could carry assault stores, while large commercial cranes and strong handling arrangements could be adapted for landing craft. Passenger accommodation supplied the hotel services needed to house troops and boat crews during long voyages. Useful speed allowed the converted ships to keep pace with operational movements instead of behaving like slow transports. Those commercial features explain why cargo liners were especially adaptable into landing ships and other amphibious-warfare vessels.