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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

SS Cleveland (AK-851)

Breakbulk Cargo Ship:

Laid down in 1969 as SS American Mail a Maritime Administration type (C5-S-75a) hull under Maritime Administration contract (MA 225) at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA.

Launched in 1969

Delivered to the Maritime Administration in 1969 for operation by the American Mail Lines

Acquired by Sealift Inc and renamed SS Cleveland, date unknown

When activated SS Cleveland (AK-851) was assigned to the Military Sealift Command (MSC) as one of the Military Sealift Command's Modular Cargo Delivery System Ready Reserve Force (RRF) Ships

When not activated Cleveland is in commercial service for Sealift Inc.

Returned to MARAD, July 1986

Acquired by American President Lines - Victory Maritime Inc., 6 November 1988

Renamed SS President Cleveland, 8 February 1989

Final Disposition, scrapped, date unknown

Specifications:
Displacement 9,779 t.(lt), 31,995 t.(fl)
Length 605'
Beam 82'
Draft 35' (max.)
Speed 18.9 kts

Cargo Capacities

Bale 1,045,160 cubic feet

Refrigerated 21,839 cubic feet

Liquid 95,080 cubic feet

Passenger Capacity 12

Speed 23 kts.

Full Operating Status Complement 45 Civilian Mariners, Reduced Operational Status 9 maintainers

Propulsion

one geared steam turbine

two B&W WT boilers, 875 PSI @ 950 degrees fahrenheit

single propeller, 24,000shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
Merchant Service American Mail Lines
	41k	SS American Mail (American Mail Lines) in the port of Singapore, August 1975.	Photo by Gerhard Mueller-Debus
Military Sealift Command (MSC)
	41k	*SS Cleveland* (AK-851)** underway, date and location unknown.	Sealift Inc. web site
0913085103	156k	*SS Cleveland* (AK-851)** loaded with military transport trucks for use in support of Operation Desert Shield. May, 1992. US National Archives photo from flickr.com	John Spivey
Merchant Service American President Lines
0913085104	63k	SS President Cleveland underway at Houston, TX., 21 June 2005. Photo from flickr.com by Zane Johnston	John Spivey

There is no history available for SS Cleveland (AK-851) at NavSource

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
MARAD Vessel History Database

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 17 January 2025