Why were supply ships used as floating warehouses in the Pacific War?

During the Pacific War, supply ships were utilized as floating warehouses to provide essential logistical support to naval forces operating far from established land bases. Because modern naval operations require constant replenishment of fuel, ammunition, food, and repair services, these specialized auxiliary vessels allowed fleets to remain at sea for extended periods without needing to return to port.1

By deploying these auxiliaries alongside combat ships or stationing them at predetermined rendezvous points, the U.S. Navy was able to sustain its operations in the vast Pacific theater indefinitely. This logistical strategy was so effective that by 1945, auxiliary vessels accounted for 71 percent of the U.S. Navy, reflecting the critical importance of mobile, self-contained support systems in projecting power across great distances.1