Cape I Class of Roll-on/Roll-off Cargo Ship (Tacoma, Washington)

USA / Washington / Tacoma / Tacoma, Washington
 military, ship, auxiliary, United States Navy
One of the four members of the Cape I Class of Roll-on/Roll-off Cargo Ships, the SS Cape Island (AKR-10) & SS Cape Intrepid (AKR-11) were originally built for the commercial trade but were turned over to the Maritime Administration upon their completion and named USNS Mercury & USNS Jupiter. Placed into operation in 1977 with the Military Sealift Command, both ships were activated during the First Gulf War and delivered equipment and material for the 7th Marine Amphibious Brigade throughout the conflict before returning stateside to re-enter the reserve fleet.

During their post-war inactivation, the ships were renamed Cape Island & Cape Intrepid to conform with their new class designation which included their sisterships SS Cape Inscription & SS Cape Isabel which are based out of Long Beach. Currently both vessels are operated by the US Maritime Administration and are maintained in ROS-05 status, meaning that once activated, the ships can be made ready for deployment in 5 days or less for service with the Military Sealift Command's Pacific Sealift Force.

SS Cape Island (AKR-10)
www.marad.dot.gov/sh/ShipHistory/Detail/5487
www.nvr.navy.mil/SHIPDETAILS/SHIPSDETAIL_AKR_10_3550.HT...
www.navsource.org/archives/09/54/540010.htm

SS Cape Intrepid (AKR-11)
www.marad.dot.gov/sh/ShipHistory/Detail/5486
www.nvr.navy.mil/SHIPDETAILS/SHIPSDETAIL_AKR_11_3551.HT...
www.navsource.org/archives/09/54/540011.htm
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   47°16'26"N   122°27'20"W

Comments

  • Wow i live in the area and i never new all this infomation about these amazing ships thank you for the information you guys are great! and thank you to all the brave armed forces troops fighting overseas for our country god bless you all! thank you!
  • hi
  • I drive by these ships all the time, I always smile when I see them, their presence is always a nice feeling. I am sad to hear that we may lose our fly overs to budget cuts.
  • I assisted with the 5 day re activation of the Jupiter during the gulf war at Todd shipyards in seattle. The first I had heard of the Jupiter was my boss trying to round up workers to ride it up from Tacoma. We put it 16+ hour days (we also had the tote ship greatland that we were finishing after sinking) and it sailed away on time. I remember how great it was bringing the various systems back on line after it had been mothballed for so many years(we were told to watch for steam leaks, could loose an appendage). Got to work on the Cape Blanco later that year also. Todds was a great place to work, I got in 30+ years.
This article was last modified 7 years ago