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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

SS Cape Blanco (AK-5060)

Cape B Class Breakbulk Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down, 21 January 1965, as Mason Lykes, a Maritime Administration type (C4-S-66a) hull under Maritime Administration contract (MA 172) at Avondale Industries, New Orleans, LA.
  • Launched, 10 July 1965
  • Delivered to the Maritime Administration, 20 September 1966, for operation by Lykes Bros SS Co.
  • Reacquired by the Maritime Administration and laid up in a layberth at Alameda, CA. as part of the Maritime Administrations National Defense Reserve Fleet
  • When activated Cape Blanco (T-AK-5060) 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
  • Cape Blanco could be activated as needed
  • Downgraded from RRF and laid up in the Maritime Administrations (MARAD) National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA., 19 December 2002
    Specifications:
    Displacement 7,178 t.(lt), 21,840 t.(fl)
    Length 540'
    Beam 76'
    Draft 33' (max.)
    Speed 18 kts.
    Full Operating Status Complement (unknown) Civilian Mariners, Reduced Operational Status 5 maintainers
    Propulsion High speed twin casing cross compound double reduction gear turbine, single propeller
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Merchant Service
    Cape Blanco 85k SS Mason Lykes moored pierside, Busan South Korea, November 1980. Photo by Gerhard Mueller-Debus
    US Maritime Administration Ready Reserve Fleet
    Cape Blanco 25k SS Cape Blanco (T-AK-5060) moored pierside, date and place unknown. Maritime Administration
    Cape Blanco
    0913506003    		 111k SS Cape Blanco (T-AK-5060) moored in the Suisun Bay National Defense Reserve Fleet, 1 October 2009.
    Photo from lickr.com by Gail Snyder, III    		 John Spivey
    There is no DANFS history available for Cape Blanco (T-AK-5060) at NavSource
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    MARAD Vessel History Database
    National Register Eligibility Assessment
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 17 January 2025