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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

SS Cape Catoche (AK-5043)

Cape C Class Breakbulk Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down in 1963 as SS Christopher Lykes a Maritime Administration type (C3-S-37c) hull under Maritime Administration contract (MA 133) at Avondale Industries, New Orleans, LA.
  • Launched in 1964
  • Delivered to the Maritime Administration in 1964 for operation by Lykes Bros. SS Co.
  • Reacquired by the Maritime Administration in 1984 and laid up in the Maritime Administrations National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Fort Eustis, VA., renamed SS Cape Catoche, Military Sealift Command (MSC) designation AK-5043
  • When activated SS Cape Catoche (T-AK-5043) was assigned to the Military Sealift Command (MSC) as one of the Military Sealift Command's Modular Cargo Delivery System Ready Reserve Force (RRF) Ships
  • Downgraded from the RRF, date unknown
  • Final Disposition, part of a three ship scrapping contract awarded to Esco Marine, Brownsville, TX., 3 March 2008 for a contract total of $1,136,106
    Specifications:
    Displacement 7,800 t.(lt) 19,800 t.(fl)
    Length 494' 8"
    Beam 68' 5"
    Draft 19' 6"
    Speed 16.5 kts.
    Complement approximately 21
    Propulsion steam turbine, single propeller, 8,500shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Commercial Service
    Cape Catoche 462k Lykes Bros. Cargoliner SS Christopher Lykes underway in the English Channel, circa 1970. Published in the company magazine of Lykes Lines, New Orleans, LA. in the 1960s. Neither the magazine nor the steamship company exist any longer. Gerhard Mueller-Debus
    SS Cape Catoche (AK-5043) - MARAD RRF
    Cape Catoche 53k SS Cape Catoche (AK-5043) and SSCape Carthage (AK-5042) along with another Ready Reserve Force ship moored in the their layberths at Norfolk, VA., date unknown. US Maritime Administration
    There is no DANFS history available for SS Cape Catoche (AK-5043) 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
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    Last Updated 29 August 2008