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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

SS Gulf Merchant (AK-5046)

Breakbulk Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down in 1964 as SS Gulf Merchant a Maritime Administration type (C3-S-37d) hull under Maritime Administration contract (MA 136) at Avondale Industries, New Orleans, LA.
  • Launched in 1964
  • Delivered to the Maritime Administration in 1964 for operation by the Gulf and South America Line
  • Acquired by Lykes Bros. SS Co. from Gulf and South America Line, 6 January 1972
  • Reacquired by the Maritime Administration and laid up in reserve as part of the Maritime Administrations National Defense Reserve Fleet
  • When activated SS Gulf Merchant (AK-5046) 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
  • When not activated Gulf Merchant was laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet and could be activated as needed
  • Downgraded from the RRF, date unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 11,368 t.(lt) 17200 t.(fl)
    Length 471"
    Beam 69'
    Draft 30' 1" (full load)
    Cargo Capacity 564,000 cf
    Depth of Hold 41' 7"
    Speed 18 kts.
    Full Operating Complement unknown
    Propulsion
    two Combustion Engineering water tube boilers
    three General Electric geared turbines
    two 600KW ship's generators sets
    single propeller, 11,000 SHP
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    MARAD Ready Reserve Fleet (RRF)
    Gulf Farmer 58k From right to left: SS Gulf Merchant (AK-5046), SS Gulf Farmer (AK-5045) and SS Pioneer Contractor (AK-2018), laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Beaumont, TX. date unknown. MARAD
    There is no DANFS history available for SS Gulf Merchant (AK-5046) at NavSource
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    MARAD Vessel History Database
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 14 August 2015