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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

SS Pioneer Commander (AK-2016)

Breakbulk Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down in 1962 as SS American Commander, a Maritime Administration type (C4-S-57a) hull under Maritime Administration contract (MA 119), at Bethlehem Steel Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, MA.
  • Launched, date unknown
  • Delivered to the United States Lines, 16 April 1963
  • Name changed to SS Pioneer Commander, 6 November 1967
  • Returned to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Beaumont, TX., 14 May 1981
  • Assigned to the Military Sealift Commander (MSC) Ready Reserve Fleet (RRF) as SS Pioneer Commander (AK-2016)
  • When not activated Pioneer Commander was laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Beaumont, TX. and could be activated in 30 days
  • Downgraded from the Ready Reserve Fleet, 1 October 2001
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 23 July 2012, for $850,000, to Marine Metals, Brownsville, TX., removed 23 July 2012
    Specifications:
    Displacement 11,105 t.(lt) 17,731 t.(fl)
    Length 530'
    Beam 75'
    Draft 31.9
    Speed unknown
    Full Operating Complement unknown
    Propulsion
    two cylinder steam turbine
    single propeller, 22,500shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Pioneer Commander 299k SS Pioneer Commander (AK-2016) hard aground on a reef at Pentland Firth near Hoy Island, Orkney Islands, Scotland in August 1976. Ben Vredegoor
    Pioneer Commander 316k
    Pioneer Commander 73k Stern view of SS Pioneer Commander (AK-2016) laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Beaumont, TX. between SS Pioneer Contractor (AK-2018) and SS Hattiesburg Victory, date unknown. Maritime Administration
    There is no DANFS history available for Pioneer Commander (T-AK-2016) at NavSource
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 4 January 2013