SS Capella
SS Capella (T-AKR 293) is an Algol class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force (RRF). She was built as a high speed container ship by Rotterdamsche D.D.Mij N.V. in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and named SS Sea-Land McLean. She was sold to the United States Navy in 1982 and became USNS Capella (T-AK-293). In keeping with the pattern of the naming the Algol-class ships after bright stars, the Capella was named after Capella, the brightest star in the constellation Auriga, the sixth brightest in the night sky.
USNS John Glenn
USNS John Glenn (T-ESD-2), is a United States Navy Expeditionary Transfer Dock ship named in honor of John Glenn, a Naval Aviator, retired United States Marine Corps colonel, veteran of World War II and the Korean War, astronaut, and United States senator.
USNS Montford Point
USNS Montford Point (T-ESD-1), the lead ship of her class of Expeditionary Transfer Docks (ESD), is a ship named in honor of African American Marine Corps recruits who trained at Montford Point Camp, North Carolina, from 1942 to 1949.
SS Cape Island
SS Cape Island (AKR-10) was originally laid down for commercial service in 1976 as Illinois, a Type C7 ship for the States Lines. It was launched and then needed to be used for military service; it was transferred into the Naval Vessel Register (NVR) as the USNS Mercury, as transport ship for vehicles, and other goods. In 1993 the ship was permanently transferred to the Navy's roll as a ready reserve ship, and renamed Cape Island (T-AKR-10). The Cape Island remains laid up in a ready reserve state so that it may be activated in 5 days, if called upon.
SS Cape Intrepid
SS Cape Intrepid was originally laid down in 1975 as SS Arizona, a Type C7 ship intended for commercial or military use. On June 8th 1976 she was removed from commercial duty, reacquired by the United States Navy, and renamed USNS Jupiter to serve alongside USNS Mercury. On 8 June 1976 she was transferred to Military Sealift Command, and renamed the SS Cape Intrepid. Since then the ship has been active in transport roles including a long term attachment to the 833rd transport regiment. She is currently in reserve status and can be activated if called upon in 5 days as part of the ready reserve fleet.
SS Cape Inscription
The SS Cape Inscription (AKR-5076) was originally launched in 1975 as the SS Maine, a Type C7 commercial ship. In September 1987 the ship was reacquired from its several commercial roles and brought back under military control under the Maritime Administration and renamed the SS Cape Inscription. Since then it has been kept in ready reserve status and used occasionally for heavy lifting operations to European theaters to have the equipment air-lifted to active engagements.
SS Cape Isabel
The SS Cape Isabel (AKR-5062) was originally launched in 1976 as the SS Nevada, a Type C7 commercial ship. The States SS company took the first contract in 1976. Later the ship was reacquired from its commercial roles, brought back under military control via the Maritime Administration, and renamed the Cape Isabel. Since then it has been kept in ready reserve status and used occasionally for heavy lifting operations to European theaters to have equipment air-lifted to active engagements. It has heavily participated in Operation Enduring Freedom ferrying goods across the Atlantic to staging points in Europe.
SS Algol
SS Algol (T-AKR 287) is an Algol-class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Military Sealift Command's Ready Reserve Force. She was built as a high speed container ship by Rotterdamsche D.D.Mij N.V. in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and named SS Sea-Land Exchange. She was sold to the United States Navy in October 1981 and became USNS Algol (T-AK-287). In keeping with the pattern of the naming the Algol-class ships after bright stars, Algol was named after the bright eclipsing binary star Algol, known colloquially as the Demon Star, which is a bright star in the constellation Perseus.
USNS Bowditch
USNS Bowditch (T-AGS 62) is a Pathfinder-class survey ship. She is the third ship in the class. Bowditch is a part of a 29 ship Special Mission Ship program and operates in the South China Sea. She is named after mathematician Nathaniel Bowditch.
USNS Waters
USNS Waters (T-AGS 45) is a United States Navy vessel tasked with supporting submarine navigation-system testing and providing ballistic missile flight test support services. Waters is operated by Military Sealift Command to provide an operating platform and services for unique U.S. military and federal government missions. Special missions ships work for several different U.S. Navy customers, including Naval Sea Systems Command, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command and the Oceanographer of the Navy.
USNS Bruce C. Heezen
USNS Bruce C. Heezen (T-AGS 64) is a Pathfinder class oceanographic survey ship. It is the fifth ship in the class. She is named after Bruce C. Heezen, who was the leader of the team from Columbia University that discovered the Mid-Atlantic Ridge during the 1950s. The ship was the first Navy vessel to be named by civilians. Nine students from Oaklawn Elementary School in Cranston, RI named the ship after winning a contest sponsored by the Navy.
USNS Pathfinder
USNS Pathfinder (T-AGS 60) is an oceanographic survey ship, and the lead vessel of her class. The Pathfinder-class survey ships have three multipurpose cranes and five winches plus a variety of oceanographic equipment including multibeam echo-sounders, towed sonars and expendable sensors. These ships are capable of carrying 34-foot hydrographic survey launches (HSL) for data collection in coastal regions with depths between 10 and 600 meters and in deep water to 4,000 meters.
USNS Mary Sears
USNS Mary Sears (T-AGS 65) is a Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey ship. It is the sixth ship of its class. Mary Sears is named after Commander Mary Sears of the United States Naval Reserve, who was instrumental in the development of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and is regarded as one of the initial oceanographers in the United States Navy. The ship has sonar, underwater metal detection, and satellite imagery capabilities
USNS Henson
USNS Henson (T-AGS-63) is a Pathfinder class oceanographic survey ship. It is the fourth ship in the class. Henson is named after Matthew Henson, who accompanied Robert Peary, most famously on an expedition intended to reach the Geographic North Pole in 1909. The ship participated in the search for the remains of the USS Bonhomme Richard off the coast of Flamborough Head, England, during the week of 10 September 2010.
SS Gary I. Gordon
SS Gary I. Gordon (T-AKR-296) is a Gordon-class vehicle cargo ship of the United States Navy. She was originally built as a merchant vessel but later acquired and converted by the Navy and assigned to the United States Department of Defense's Military Sealift Command. She was named USNS Gordon after Medal of Honor recipient Master Sergeant Gary Gordon. USNS Gordon is one of 28 Strategic Sealift Ships operated by the Military Sealift Command.
Marie Tharp
Marie Tharp is a Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey ship. It is the seventh ship in the class and the first oceanographic survey ship built since USNS Mary Sears was launched in 2000. At approximately 350 feet, Marie Tharp is 24 feet longer than its other sister ships in the same class. This modification is to accommodate a 300-square-foot moon pool for unmanned vehicle deployment and retrieval.
