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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

SS Pioneer Crusader (AK-2019)

Breakbulk Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down in 1962 as SS American Crusader a Maritime Administration type (C4-S-57a) hull under Maritime Administration contract (MA 123) at Bethlehem Steel Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, MA.
  • Launched, date unknown
  • Delivered to the Maritime Administration, 18 October 1963, for operation by the United States Lines
  • Name changed to SS Pioneer Crusader, date unknown
  • Assigned to the Military Sealift Commander (MSC) Ready Reserve Fleet (RRF), date unknown as SS Pioneer Crusader (T-AK-2019)
  • When not activated Pioneer Crusader 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 in 1989
  • Final Disposition, sold 28 July 2011 to ESCO Marine, Brownsville TX. Departed the National Defense Reserve Fleet Suisun Bay Group 24 Aug 2011. Sale price $1,223,726
    Specifications:
    Displacement unknown
    Length 560'
    Beam unknown
    Draft unknown
    Speed unknown
    Full Operating Complement unknown
    Propulsion steam turbine, single propeller
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    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Commercial Service
    Pioneer Crusader 109k SS American Crusader underway during builders trials in Massachusetts Bay, October 1963. Bethlehem Steel Co. photo Tommy Trampp
    Pioneer Crusader 63k SS Pioneer Crusader in the service of United States Lines, at Bremerhaven, Germany, October 1976. Photo by Gerhard Muller-Debus
    There is no DANFS history available for Pioneer Crusader (T-AK-2019) at NavSource
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 15 February 2013