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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

T-AK-89 Vela
USAT Joe C. Specker


USATS Joe C. Specker was transferred to the US Navy and renamed USNS Vela (T-AK-89)
Enceladus Class Cargo Ship:
  • Originally designated MV Charles A. Ranlett, a Maritime Commission type (N3-M-A1) hull to be built under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 652) at Penn-Jersey Shipbuilding Co., Camden, N.J.
  • Renamed Vela (AK-89), 30 October 1942
  • Acquired from the Maritime Commission by the US Navy, 1 January 1943
  • Laid down, 5 June 1944
  • Launched, 15 January 1945
  • Reassigned to the US Army
  • Delivered to the US Army 17 January 1945
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 8 February 1945
  • Completed as a Port Rehabilitation vessel and renamed USAT Joe C. Specker
  • Transferred to the Navy's Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) 11 June 1952
  • Placed in service as USNS Vela (T-AK-89), 12 June 1952
  • Placed out of service (date unknown)
  • Transferred to the Maritime Administration for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Hudson River
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 23 November 1970, to Hierros Ardes, S.A., Spain

    Displacement 1,677 t.(lt), 5,202 t.(fl)
    Length 269' 10"
    Beam 42' 6"
    Draft 20' 9"
    Speed 10 kts.
    Complement 83
    Armament one 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount
    Propulsion diesel, single shaft, 1,300shp
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    DANFS history entry located on the US Naval Historical Center web site.
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    Last Updated 5 May 2006