SS Cape Jacob (AK-5029)

 military, ship, auxiliary, United States Navy

Laid down at the Newport News Shipyard in the early 1960's as the MARAD C4-S-1u breakbulk freighter SS California for States Steamship Co., the Cape Jacob plied the commercial trades for over two decades before advancing ship and cargo technology rendered her obsolete as a commercial freight vessel.

Coming into the ownership of the US Maritime Administration, the former California joined her two sisterships in being outfitted for military service as the Cape J Class of Breakbulk Cargo Ships and entered service as the SS Cape Jacob in 1984. Well-suited to handle palletized crates of ammunition and other combat stores, the Cape Jacob was placed into operation with the Military Sealift Command's Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Three and spent much of her service life forward-deployed to either Saipan or Guam in the Western Pacific or Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

Once again finding herself replaced in her role by more modern vessels, the Cape Jacob was removed from Military Sealift Command service and shifted her berth first to Alameda, CA and finally her current location in the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet under the control of the Maritime Administration. Presently held in Category B Reserve, the Cape Jacob is part of MARAD's Strategic Sealift forces and can be activated for service in the event of national emergency.

www.marad.dot.gov/sh/ShipHistory/Detail/755
www.navsource.org/archives/09/13/135029.htm
www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/AK5029.htm