SS Cape Alexander (AK-5010)

 military, ship, cargo, United States Navy

Built in 1961 as the SS African Meteor for Farrell Lines, this ship plied the commercial trades for 19 years before being turned over to MARAD in 1980. Renamed Cape Alexander she entered the RRF (Ready Reserve Fleet) at Baltimore where she remained until her deployment carrying cargo to the Persian Gulf in support of US Forces during the First Gulf War. Returning to Baltimore after a years service in the Gulf, the Cape Alexander remained in the RRF until 2002 when she was downgraded from the RRF and moved to her present home in the James River Reserve Fleet.

Downgraded from the National Defense Reserve Fleet in 2010, she is now slated for disposal through either scrapping or use as a target ship.

www.marad.dot.gov/sh/ShipHistory/Detail/681
www.navsource.org/archives/09/13/135010.htm