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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

SS Gulf Farmer (AK-5045)

Breakbulk Cargo Ship:

Laid down in 1964 as SS Gulf Farmer a Maritime Administration type (C3-S-37d) hull under Maritime Administration contract (MA 136) at Avondale Industries, New Orleans, LA.

Launched in 1964

Delivered to the Maritime Administration in 1964 for operation by the Gulf and South America Line

Acquired by Lykes Bros. SS Co. from Gulf and South America Line, 6 January 1972

Reacquired by the Maritime Administration. 31 July 1984, and laid up in reserve as part of the Maritime Administrations National Defense Reserve Fleet

When activated SS Gulf Farmer (AK-5045) 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 Gulf Farmer was laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet and could be activated as needed

Downgraded from the RRF, date unknown

Laid up in the Ready Reserve Fleet, Beaumont, TX. in Emergency Sealift Status

Final Disposition, DOT announced ship sold for scrapping, 10 July 2009, to Esco Marine Ltd. of Brownsville, TX. for $80,726, to be removed from the reserve fleet within 30 days.

Specifications:
Displacement 11,368 t.(lt) 17200 t.(fl)
Length 471"
Beam 69'
Draft 30' 1" (full load)
Cargo Capacity 564,000 cf
Depth of Hold 41' 7"
Speed 18 kts.
Full Operating Complement unknown

Propulsion

two Combustion Engineering water tube boilers

three General Electric geared turbines

two 600KW ship's generators sets

single propeller, 11,000 SHP

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
Merchant Service Lykes Bros. Line
	76k	SS Gulf Farmer in merchant service for Lykes Line, moored pierside, Bremerhaven, Germany, November 1977.	Photo by Gerhard Mueller Debus
	65k	SS Gulf Farmer moored pierside, Bremerhaven, Germany, November 1977.	Photo by Gerhard Mueller Debus
MARAD Ready Reserve Fleet (RRF)
	58k	*SS Gulf Farmer* (AK-5045)** laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Beaumont, TX. date unknown. SS Gulf Farmer is moored between *SS Pioneer Contractor* (AK-2018) (left) and SS Gulf Merchant (AK-5046)** (right).	MARAD
	293k	Ex-*SS Gulf Farmer* (AK-5045)** being dismantled at Esco Marine Ltd. of Brownsville, TX, circa July-September 2009.	Tommy Trampp
	523k
	387k

There is no DANFS history available for SS Gulf Farmer (AK-5045) 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 14 August 2015