SS Algol

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USNS Algol (T-AKR-287).jpg
USNS Algol (T-AKR-287) in Antwerp, Belgium.
History
Flag of the United States.svgUnited States
NameAlgol
Namesake Algol
Owner United States Maritime Administration
Builder Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij N.V
Laid down1 November 1971
Launched1 September 1972
AcquiredOctober 1981
Identification
Honors and
awards
Status Ready Reserve
General characteristics
Class and type Algol-class vehicle cargo ship
Displacement55,355 tons (full)
Length946 ft 2 in (288 m)
Beam105 ft 6 in (32 m)
Draft36 ft 7 in (11 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 × Foster-Wheeler boilers, 875 psi (61.6 kg/cm2)
  • 2 × GE MST-19 steam turbines; 120,000 hp (89.5 MW)
Speed33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph)
Capacity700+ military vehicles (including trucks, tanks, and helicopters)
Crew43 civilians, 12 military technicians (fully operational), 18 civilians (reduced operating status)
Aviation facilitiesLanding pad

SS Algol (T-AKR 287) is an Algol-class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force. She was built as a high speed container ship by Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij N.V. in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, hull no. 331, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. and named SS Sea-Land Exchange, USCG ON 546383, IMO 7303205. [1] [2] Due to her high operating cost, Sea-Land Exchange was sold to the United States Navy in October 1981 as USNS Algol (T-AK-287). [3]

Contents

In keeping with the pattern of the naming the Algol-class ships after bright stars, Algol was named after the bright eclipsing binary star Algol, known colloquially as the Demon Star, which is a bright star in the constellation Perseus.

Conversion

Conversion began on 13 October 1982 at National Steel and Shipbuilding in San Diego, California. Her cargo hold was redesigned into a series of decks connected by ramps so vehicles can be driven into and out of the cargo hold for fast loading and unloading. She was also fitted with two sets of two cranes; one set located at midship capable of lifting 35 tons, and another set located aft capable of lifting 50 tons. [2] She was delivered to the Military Sealift Command in 1984 as USNS Algol (T-AKR 287). [4]

Service

When not active, Algol is kept in reduced operating status due to her high operating cost. If needed, she can be activated and ready to sail in 96 hours. [5] In 1984, Algol was the first Fast Sealift Ship to take part in a European exercise when she took part in the NATO exercise, Operation REFORGER. [6] Algol took part in the Persian Gulf War in 1990. Along with the other seven Algol-class cargo ships, she transported 14 percent of all cargo delivered between the United States and Saudi Arabia during and after the war. [7] In October 1998, Algol was activated to carry disaster relief supplies and equipment to Puerto Rico and other nearby islands following the aftermath of Hurricane Georges. [7] In early 2003, Algol was activated to take part in Operation Iraqi Freedom. [7]

On 1 October 2007, Algol was transferred to the United States Maritime Administration. On 1 October 2008, Algol was transferred to the Ready Reserve Force at Ready Reserve Fleet Alameda, losing her USNS designation. [7] [8] If activated, SS Algol will report to the Military Sealift Command. [3]

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<i>Algol</i>-class vehicle cargo ship

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SS <i>Bellatrix</i>

SS Bellatrix is an Algol-class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force (RRF). She was built as a high-speed container ship by Rheinstahl Nordseewerke, Emden, West Germany, hull no. 430, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. and named SS Sea-Land Trade, USCG ON 545201, IMO 7236153. Due to her high operating cost, Sea-Land Trade was sold to the United States Navy in October 1981 as USNS Bellatrix (T-AK-288).

SS <i>Denebola</i> (T-AKR-289)

SS Denebola is an Algol-class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force (RRF). She was built as a high speed container ship by Rotterdamsche D.D.Mij N.V. in Rotterdam, Netherlands, hull no. 332, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. and named SS Sea-Land Resource, USCG ON 550723, IMO 7325253. Due to her high operating cost, she was sold to the United States Navy in October 1981 as USNS Denebola (T-AK-289).

USNS <i>Pollux</i> (T-AKR-290) Cargo ship of the United States Navy

USNS Pollux (T-AK-290), later T-AKR-290, the fourth United States Navy ship of the name, is an Algol-class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) as SS Pollux (T-AKR-290).

SS <i>Altair</i>

SS Altair is an Algol class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force (RRF). She was built as a high speed container ship by Rheinstahl Nordseewerke in Emden, West Germany, hull no. 431, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. and named SS Sea-Land Finance, USCG ON 550722, IMO 7315571. Due to her high operating cost, she was sold to the United States Navy on 5 January 1982 as USNS Altair (T-AK-291).

SS <i>Regulus</i> (T-AKR-292)

SS Regulus is an Algol class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force (RRF). She was built as a high speed container ship by A.G. Weser in Bremen, West Germany, hull no. 1383, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. and named SS Sea-Land Commerce, USCG 545200, IMO 7302897. Due to her high operating cost, she was sold to the United States Navy on 27 October 1981 as USNS Regulus (T-AK-292).

SS <i>Capella</i>

SS Capella is an Algol class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force (RRF). She was built as a high speed container ship by Rotterdamsche D.D.Mij N.V. in Rotterdam, Netherlands, hull no. 330, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. and named SS Sea-Land McLean, USCG ON 540413, IMO 7223508, after Sea-Land's founder Malcom McLean. Due to her high operating cost, she was sold to the United States Navy on 16 April 1982 as USNS Capella (T-AK-293).

SS <i>Antares</i>

SS Antares is an Algol class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force (RRF). She was built as a high speed container ship by A.G. Weser in Bremen, West Germany, hull no. 1382, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. Baptized in Bremerhaven by Helga Wedekind, the ship was named SS Sea-Land Galloway, USCG ON 542200, IMO 7226897. Due to her high operating cost, she was sold to the United States Navy on 16 April 1982 as USNS Antares (T-AK-294).

SS <i>Cape Intrepid</i> (T-AKR-11) American cargo ship of the U.S. Maritime Administration

SS Cape Intrepid was originally laid down in 1975 as SS Arizona a Type C7 ship intended for both commercial or military use. The ship was launched in 1975 and turned over to the Maritime Administration for commercial use and acquired by the Lykes Brothers and named the SS Lipscomb Lykes. On June 8th 1976 she was removed from commercial duty and reacquired by the United States Navy and renamed USNS Jupiter to serve alongside USNS Mercury. On 8 June 1976 she was transferred to Military Sealift Command, and renamed the SS Cape Intrepid. Since then the ship has been active in transport roles including a long term attachment to the 833rd transport regiment. She is currently in reserve status and can be activated if called upon in 5 days as part of the ready reserve fleet. The ship is currently moored in Tacoma, Washington.

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MV <i>Cape Texas</i> (T-AKR-112)

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MV <i>Cape Edmont</i> Cape E-class roll-on/roll-off

MV Cape Edmont (T-AKR-5069),, was a Cape E-class roll-on/roll-off built in 1971.

References

  1. ↑ Cudahay 2006 p. 265
  2. 1 2 USNS Algol (T-AKR 287) , retrieved 4 April 2009
  3. 1 2 Ready Reserve Force Ships , retrieved 4 April 2009
  4. ↑ Service Ship Photo Archive: SS Algol (AKR-287), 19 September 2008, retrieved 4 April 2009
  5. ↑ Cargo – Fast Sealift – Support (FSS), Specialized, archived from the original on 14 May 2011, retrieved 4 April 2009
  6. ↑ DANFS: Algol , retrieved 4 April 2009
  7. 1 2 3 4 'U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command: Fact Sheet', December 2003, retrieved 4 April 2009
  8. ↑ Fast Sealift Ships – T-AKR, 22 January 2008, retrieved 4 April 2009
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