USNS Pollux

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US Naval Ship Pollux (T-AKR-290) anchored in the harbor off the Port of Pusan, Republic of Korea - 19 Oct. 1998.jpg
USNS Pollux (T-AKR-290) in the port of Pusan, South Korea. Pollux is loading vehicles onto a United States Army Logistics Support Vessel (LSV) which will then transport them to shore.
History
Flag of the United States.svg United States
NameUSNS Pollux
Namesake Pollux, the southern of two bright stars in the constellation Gemini, twin star of Castor
OperatorFlag of the United States Navy (official).svg  United States Navy
Builder A.G. Weser
Launched1 May 1973
Completed1 September 1973 (delivered to Sea-Land as SS Sealand Market))
Acquired16 November 1981
In serviceprobably ca. 16 November 1981
Out of serviceprobably ca. 28 July 1984
In serviceprobably ca. 31 March 1986
Out of service1 October 2007
Identification
Honors and
awards
Status
General characteristics
Class and type Algol class vehicle cargo ship
Displacement
  • 29692 tons (light)
  • 55,355 tons (full)
Length946 ft 2 in (288 m)
Beam105 ft 6 in (32 m)
Draft36 ft 4 in (11 m)
Propulsion
Speed33 knots
Capacity700+ military vehicles (including trucks, tanks, and helicopters)
Complement43 civilians, 12 military technicians (fully operational), 18 civilians (reduced operating status)
ArmamentNone
Aviation facilitiesLanding pad

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).

Contents

In keeping with the pattern of the naming the Algol-class ships after bright stars, the Pollux was named after Pollux, a star in the northern constellation of Gemini.

Construction and early career

The ship was built as the high speed container ship SS Sea-Land Market, USCG ON 550721, IMO 7319632, by A.G. Weser in Bremen, West Germany, hull no. 1384, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. [1] [2] Launched on 1 May 1973, she was delivered to Sea-Land on 1 September 1973. [3] Due to her high operating cost, she proved uneconomical for commercial use. Sea-Land sold her to the United States Navy on 16 November 1981. [4]

The U.S. Navy classified the ship as a cargo ship (AK), assigned her to the Military Sealift Command for non-commissioned service, and renamed her USNS Pollux (T-AK-290). In September 1992, the Navy reclassified her as roll-on/roll-off vehicle cargo ship and redesignated her as T-AKR-290.

Conversion

Pollux's conversion into a vehicle cargo ship began on 28 July 1984 at Avondale Shipyards in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 pairs of cranes, one pair amidships capable of lifting 35 long tons (36 t), and the other pair aft capable of lifting 50 long tons (51 t). [2] When her conversion was complete, Avondale delivered her to the Military Sealift Command on 31 March 1986. [5]

Service

When not active, Pollux was kept in a reduced operating status due to her high operating cost. If needed, she could be activated and ready to move in 96 hours. [6]

Pollux took part in the Persian Gulf War in 1990-1991. Along with the other seven Algol class vehicle cargo ships, she transported 14 percent of all cargo transported between the United States and Saudi Arabia during and after the war. [7]

She was in Boston's Dry Dock Number 3 as of 10/28/14.

As of 1/23/18 http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:455429/mmsi:368989000/imo:7319632/vessel:POLLUX

As of 8/26/2022, according to the website https://www.marinetraffic.com/ she is moored in McFadden Bend of the Neches River, Port Neches, Texas.

Transfer to Maritime Administration and Ready Reserve Force

Pollux in Boston's Dry Dock Number 3 in October 2014 USNS Pollux at Boston Drydock Number 3.jpg
Pollux in Boston's Dry Dock Number 3 in October 2014

On 1 October 2007, Pollux was transferred to the United States Maritime Administration. On 1 October 2008, she was transferred to the Ready Reserve Force, losing her "USNS" designation, and laid up at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [7] [8] She can be reactivated in five days when needed. [3] If activated again, Pollux will report to the Military Sealift Command. [4]

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SS <i>Algol</i> American cargo ship

SS Algol 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. 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).

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).

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).

USNS <i>Gilliland</i> Cargo ship of the United States Navy

USNS Gilliland (T-AKR-298) is a Gordon-class roll on roll off vehicle cargo ship of the United States Navy. She was originally built as a merchant vessel but later acquired and converted by the Navy, and assigned to the United States Department of Defense's Military Sealift Command. Gilliland was built in 1972 as MV Selandia. After some time spent in commercial service she was lengthened by Hyundai Heavy Industries in 1984, and later went on to be acquired by the US Navy under a long term charter. She was converted to a US Navy Vehicle Roll-on/Roll-off Ship at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Newport News, Virginia, in a contract dated 23 May 1997 and on completion was assigned to the Military Sealift Command under the name USNS Gilliland, after Medal of Honor recipient Corporal Charles L. Gilliland. Gilliland is one of 28 Strategic Sealift Ships operated by the Military Sealift Command. She is assigned to the MSC Atlantic surge force, and is maintained in Ready Operational Status 4.

USNS <i>Benavidez</i> Cargo ship of the United States Navy

USNS Benavidez (T-AKR-306) was a Bob Hope-class roll on roll off vehicle cargo ship of the United States Navy. She was built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, New Orleans and delivered to the Navy on 10 September 2003. They assigned her to the United States Department of Defense's Military Sealift Command. Benavidez is named for Medal of Honor recipient Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez, and is one of 11 Surge LMSRs operated by a private company under contract to the Military Sealift Command. She was assigned to the MSC Atlantic surge force and is maintained in Ready Operational Status 4. On 21 September 2022, Benavidez left service and was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register.

SS Pollux may refer to:

Large, Medium-Speed Roll-on/Roll-off (LMSR) refers to several classes of Military Sealift Command (MSC) roll-on/roll-off type cargo ships. Some are purpose-built for military cargo, while others were converted.

References

  1. ↑ Cudahay 206 p. 265
  2. 1 2 'USNS Pollux (T-AKR 290)' , retrieved 8 April 2009
  3. 1 2 NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive SS Pollux (AKR-290) ex-USNS Pollux (T-AKR-290) (1982-2007) ex-USNS Pollux (T-AK-290) (1981-1982)
  4. 1 2 Ready Reserve Force Ships , retrieved 8 April 2009
  5. ↑ 'Service Ship Photo Archive: SS Pollux (AKR-290)' , retrieved 8 April 2009
  6. ↑ Cargo - Fast Sealift - Support (FSS), Specialized, archived from the original on 14 May 2011, retrieved 8 April 2009
  7. 1 2 'U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command: Fact Sheet', December 2003, retrieved 8 April 2009
  8. ↑ 'Fast Sealift Ships - T-AKR', 22 January 2008, retrieved 8 April 2009
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