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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

SS Pioneer Contractor (AK-2018)

Breakbulk Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down in 1962 as SS American Contractor, a Maritime Administration type (C4-S-57a) hull, under Maritime Administration contract (MA 121) at Bethlehem Steel Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, MA.
  • Launched, date unknown
  • Delivered to the United States Lines, 24 July 1963, for operation
  • Name changed to SS Pioneer Contractor 25 November 1966
  • Tittle transferred to the Maritime Administration (MARAD), 7 November 1980, under MARAD Trade-In and Build Program
  • Bare Bottom Charter to United States Lines, 7 November 1980
  • Returned to MARAD by the United States Lines, 5 May 1981, at Beaumont, TX.
  • Assigned by MARAD to the Military Sealift Commander (MSC) Ready Reserve Fleet (RRF) as SS Pioneer Contractor (AK-2018)
  • When not activated SS Pioneer Contractor was laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Beaumont, TX. and could be activated in 30 days
  • Downgraded from the Ready Reserve Fleet, 1 October 2001
    Specifications:
    Displacement unknown
    Length 560'
    Beam unknown
    Draft unknown
    Speed unknown
    Full Operating Complement unknown
    Propulsion steam turbine, single propeller
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Commercial Service
    Pioneer Contractor 380k SS American Contractor on the River Weser, arriving at Bremen, Germany, on her maiden voyage, 13 August 1963. Photo by Gerhard Mueller-Debus
    Pioneer Contractor 139k SS Pioneer Contractor underway, date and location unknown. US Maritime Commission.
    Pioneer Contractor (AK-2018) (MSC Ready Reserve)
    Pioneer Contractor 57k SS Pioneer Contractor (AK-2018) underway, date and location unknown. US Maritime Commission.
    Pioneer Contractor 77k SS Pioneer Contractor (AK-2018) underway, date and location unknown. US Maritime Commission.
    There is no DANFS history available for SS Pioneer Contractor (AK-2018) at NavSource
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    Not Applicable
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    No Information Available
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 2 May 2008