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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

SS Cape Alexander (AK-5010)

Cape A Class Breakbulk Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down, 14 August 1961, as SS African Meteor a Maritime Administration type (C4-S-58a) hull under Maritime Administration contract (MA 104) at Ingalls Shipbuilding Co., Pascagoula, MS.
  • Launched, 12 May 1962
  • Delivered to the Maritime Administration, 31 October 1962, for operation by Farrell Lines
  • Named changed to SS Meteor, date unknown
  • Re-acquired by the Maritime Administration and laid up in a layberth at Baltimore, MD. as part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet
  • When activated SS Cape Alexander (AK-5010) is assigned to the Military Sealift Command (MSC) as one of the Military Sealift Command's Modular Cargo Delivery System Ready Reserve Force (RRF) Ships
  • Cape Alexander could be activated as needed
  • Downgraded from RRF and laid up in the Maritime Administrations (MARAD) National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Fort Eustis, VA., 19 December 2002
  • Final Disposition, departed James River Reserve Fleet, 6 November 2019, under tow to Brownsville, TX. for recycling, arrived 18 November 2019.
    Specifications:
    Displacement 7,380 t.(lt), 21,110 t.(fl)
    Length 575'
    Beam 75'
    Draft 30' (max.)
    Speed 18.3 kts.
    Full Operating Status Complement (unknown) Civilian Mariners, Reduced Operating Status 5 maintainers
    Propulsion steam turbine, two boilers, single propeller, 16,500shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Cape Alexander 31k SS Cape Alexander (AK-5010) moored pierside, date and location unknown.
    US Maritime Administration photo    		 Peter Westdijk
    Cape Alexander 171k SS Cape Alexander (AK-5010) moored pierside, date and location unknown.
    US Maritime Administration photo    		 Peter Westdijk
    Cape Alexander 38k SS Cape Alexander (AK-5010) moored pierside, date and location unknown.
    US Maritime Administration photo    		 Peter Westdijk
    MARAD James River Group Reserve Fleet
    Cape Johnson 93k SS Cape Johnson left, SS Cape Nome left center, SS Cape Juby right center, and SS Cape Alexander laid up in the MARAD Reserve Fleet, James River Group, Lee Hall, VA., 8 April 2009. Photo by Mike Hibbard
    Cape Archway 100k From left to right; SS Cape Juby, SS Cape Alexander, SS Cape Ann and SS Cape Archway laid up in the Maritime Administration's James River Reserve Fleet, 8 April 2009. Photo by Mike Hibbard
    There is no DANFS history available for Cape Alexander (AK-5010) at NavSource
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    National Register Eligibility Assessment
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 29 November 2019