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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

Final Disposition, 27 January, 2009, Department of Transportation signed a fee for service contract worth $321,000 with Marine Metals of Brownsville TX., to scrap Pioneer Contractor

Specifications:
Displacement 11,105 t.(lt) 17,731 t.(fl)
Length 530'
Beam 75'
Draft 31.9
Speed unknown
Full Operating Complement unknown
Propulsion

two cylinder steam turbine

single propeller, 22,500shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
Commercial Service
	380k	SS American Contractor on the River Weser, arriving at Bremen, Germany, on her maiden voyage, 13 August 1963.	Photo by Gerhard Mueller-Debus
	139k	SS Pioneer Contractor underway, date and location unknown.	US Maritime Commission.
MARAD Ready Reserve Fleet (RRF)
	57k	*SS Pioneer Contractor* (AK-2018)** underway, date and location unknown.	US Maritime Commission.
	77k	*SS Pioneer Contractor* (AK-2018)** underway, date and location unknown.	US Maritime Commission.
	73k	*SS Pioneer Contractor* (AK-2018) laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Beaumont, TX. alongside SS Pioneer Commander (AK-2016)** and SS Hattiesburg Victory, date unknown.	Maritime Administration
	58k	From left to right: *SS Pioneer Contractor* (AK-2018), SS Gulf Farmer (AK-5045) and SS Gulf Merchant (AK-5046)**, laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Beaumont, TX. date unknown.	MARAD

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

Last Updated 17 July 2009