SS Cape Island (T-AKR-10)

Last updated
SS Cape Island MSC.jpg
Cape Island sailing into San Francisco Bay
History
Flag of the United States.svgUnited States
NameSS Illinois
Owner United States Maritime Administration
Builder Bath Iron Works, Bath, ME.
Laid down16 February 1976
Launched21 December 1976
Acquired2 June 1977, to States Lines, and renamed the USNS Mercury,
RenamedSS Cape Island, 22 November 1993 and assigned to the Maritime Administration's Ready Reserve Force
Identification
Honors and
awards
National Defense Service Medal - Southwest Asia Service Medal - Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Statuslaid up as part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet in a layberth at Tacoma, WA. in ROS-5 status
NotesMay possibly be in ROE-10 not sure Currenttly Moored in Tacoma, Washington
General characteristics
Class and typeRoll-on/Roll-off Ship
Displacement15,000 tons, 33,900 tons full
Length685'
Beam102'
Draft32'
Propulsiontwo steam turbines, two propellers
Speed23.0 Knots
Range12,600
ComplementFull Operational Status 31, Reduced Operational Status 9
ArmamentNone

SS Cape Island (AKR-10) was originally laid down for commercial service in 1976 as Illinois, a Type C7 ship for the States Lines. It was eventually transferred to the Naval Vessel Register (NVR) [1] as the USNS Mercury, as a transport ship for vehicles, and other goods. The ship was returned to Crowley Liner Services of Jacksonville, Florida. In 1993 the ship was permanently transferred to the navy's ready reserve force, and renamed Cape Island (T-AKR-10). The Cape Island remains laid up in a ready reserve state so that it may be activated in five days, if called upon. The ship is currently moored in Tacoma, Washington.

As of 9/12/23, SS Cape Island is undergoing sea trials in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Sea trials on 2023-09-12 2023-09-12 SS Cape Island.jpg
Sea trials on 2023-09-12


Further reading

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References

  1. "Cape Island" . Retrieved 1 May 2013.