SS Denebola (AKR-289) & SS Antares (AKR-294) (Baltimore, Maryland)

USA / Maryland / Baltimore / Baltimore, Maryland
 ship, cargo, United States Navy

SS Denebola & SS Antares are two of eight members of the Algol Class of Fast Sealift Ships currently under the control of the US Maritime Administration (MARAD) and kept in a 10-day readiness status. Formerly commercial containerships for Sea-Land Lines, they plied the commercial trades between US, Europe and Asia from 1973 through 1981 before their high operating costs made them uneconomical for commercial use.

Along with their sisterships the Denebola and Antares were acquired by the US Navy in 1981 and converted into a Roll-on/Roll-off Vehicle Cargo Ships before being placed into service with the Military Sealift Command. Each of the eight ships in the Algol Class can transport up to 700 military vehicles including trucks, tanks, and helicopters, supplies and troops with top speeds in excess of 33 knots, making them some of the fastest cargo ships in the world.

Along with their sisterships, the Denebola and Antares were heavily involved in the Persian Gulf War in 1990, as the eight ships alone accounted for 14 percent of all cargo delivered between the United States and Saudi Arabia during and after the war. The Antares took a lesser role in the supply role however, after a stubborn boiler fire off Spain kept her out of the action until after the land campaign had completed.

Deactivated from the Military Sealift Command on October 1st, 2007, the Denebola and Antares are now usually layberthed at here in Baltimore and are maintained in ROS-10 status, meaning they can be made ready for deployment in 10 days or less. When activated for service, both ships report for duty with the Military Sealift Command's Atlantic Surge Force.

SS Denebola (AKR-289)
www.marad.dot.gov/sh/ShipHistory/Detail/6446
www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/ships.asp?ship=80
www.navsource.org/archives/09/54/540289.htm
SS Antares (AKR-294)
www.marad.dot.gov/sh/ShipHistory/Detail/6443
www.marad.dot.gov/sh/ShipHistory/Detail/6446
www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/ships.asp?ship=5
www.navsource.org/archives/09/54/540294.htm
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   39°16'22"N   76°35'11"W
This article was last modified 7 years ago