The Algol-class vehicle cargo ships, also known as Fast Sealift Ships (FSS) or SL-7s, are currently the fastest conventional steam powered cargo ships in the world that are still (intermittently) operating, capable of speeds in excess of 33 knots (61 km/h).. Although in reality both are laid up due to their high operating costs and less than green credentials in terms of fuel burned in transporting one unit of cargo per nautical miles traveled. Originally built in 1972 and 1973 as high-speed container ships known as SL-7s for SeaLand, the ships' high operating costs limited their profitability. All eight ships were acquired by the United States Navy in 1981 and 1982, with the last ship converted, delivered to and placed in service with Military Sealift Command in 1986. The conversion entailed the installation of four cranes, addition of roll on/roll off capability and a redesign of the cargo hold to better facilitate storage of vehicles. Due largely to their high cost of operation, all fast sealift ships are kept in Reduced Operating Status, but can be activated and ready to sail in 96 hours. All ships are named after bright stars in the night sky.
USNS Comet (T-AK-269), later T-LSV-7, later T-AKR-7, later SS Comet, was a vehicle landing ship built for the United States Navy. The lone ship of her class, she was named for the comet, and was the fourth U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.
USNS Sea Lift (T-LSV-9) was a roll on/roll off (Ro/Ro) cargo ship built for the United States Navy's Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), currently the Military Sealift Command (MSC). She became the first ship of Ro/Ro-type to deliver cargo to Vietnam during the war in Indochina.
The SS Cape Mohican (T-AKR-5065) is a steam turbine powered heavy-lift Seabee barge carrier, one of two ships of her type in the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force.
The Charleston metropolitan area is an urban area centered around Charleston, South Carolina. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget designates the area as the Charleston-North Charleston, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area, a metropolitan statistical area used for statistical purposes only by the United States Census Bureau and other federal agencies. The OMB defines the area as comprising Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, an area with 799,636 residents in the 2020 census. Principal cities include Charleston, North Charleston, and Summerville. The area is commonly referred to as the Tri-County Area or the Lowcountry, though the latter term has historically referred to South Carolina's southern coast in general.
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 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 Cape May (T-AKR-5063) is a steam turbine powered heavy-lift Seabee barge carrier, one of two ships of her type in the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force.
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 Transportation Battalion. 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.
The SS Cape Inscription (AKR-5076) was originally launched in 1975 as the SS Maine, a Type C7 commercial ship. The States SS company took the first contract in 1976 and it operated until January 29, 1979, when it was purchased by Whitney National Bank, it was then leased to Lykes Brothers steamship company and renamed the SS Tyson Lykes on February 23, 1979. On October 20 the Lykes Brothers purchased the ship from the Whitney National Bank. Later in September 1987 the ship was reacquired from its commercial roles and brought back under military control under the Maritime Administration and renamed the SS Cape Inscription. Since then it has been kept in ready reserve status and used occasionally for heavy lifting operations to European theaters to have the equipment air-lifted to active engagements.
The SS Cape Isabel (AKR-5062) was originally launched in 1976 as the SS Nevada, a Type C7 commercial ship. The States SS company took the first contract in 1976 and it operated until it was transferred to Lykes Brothers steamship company and renamed the SS Charles Lykes. Later the ship was reacquired from its commercial roles and brought back under military control via the Maritime Administration and renamed the Cape Isabel. Since then it has been kept in ready reserve status and used occasionally for heavy lifting operations to European theaters to have equipment air-lifted to active engagements. It has heavily participated in Operation Enduring Freedom ferrying goods across the Atlantic to staging points in Europe. As of August 2021, the ship is undergoing recommissioning at Vigor Shipyards in Portland, Oregon. As of May 2024, berthed in Long Beach, California adjacent to SS Cape Inscription.
For MV Cape Texas, a World War II Type C1-A, see Type C1 ships
MV Cape Taylor (T-AKR-113) is a roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) ship with the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) of the United States Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD). As of 31 December 2014, her homeport is the Port of Houston in Houston, Texas, and she is on ROS-5 status; she is able to be fully operational within 5 days of being activated. When activated, she becomes part of the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC).
MV Cape Trinity (T-AKR-9711) is a Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) ship with the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) of the United States Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD). As of 31 December 2014, the homeport of this motor vessel (MV) is the Port of Houston in Houston, Texas, and she is on ROS-5 status; she is able to be fully operational within 5 days of being activated. When activated, she becomes part of the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC).
SS Cape Mendocino (T-AKR-5064) is a steam turbine powered heavy-lift Seabee barge carrier, one of three ships of her type in the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force.
MV Cape Hudson (T-AKR-5066) was originally built as a commercial ship in 1979 and sold to the Wilhelmsen Line with the name Barber Taif. She has two sister ships named MV Cape Henry and MV Cape Horn.
MV Cape Horn (T-AKR-5068) was originally built as a commercial ship in 1979 and sold to the Wilhelmsen Line with the name Barber Tonsberg. She has two sister ships: MV Cape Hudson and MV Cape Henry.
MV Cape Edmont (T-AKR-5069),, was a Cape E-class roll-on/roll-off built in 1971.
MV Cape Lambert (T-AKR-5077),, was a Cape L-class roll-on/roll-off built in 1973.
United States