| USNS Pollux (T-AKR-290) | |
|---|---|
 USNS Pollux (T-AKR-290) in the port of Pusan, South Korea. Pollux is loading vehicles onto a United States Army Logistics Support Vessel (LSV) which will then transport them to shore. | |
| Career (United States of America) |  |
| Name: | USNS Pollux |
| Namesake: | Pollux, the southern of two bright stars in the constellation Gemini, twin star of Castor |
| Operator: |
 United States Navy |
| Builder: | A.G. Weser |
| Launched: | 1 May 1973 |
| Completed: | 1 September 1973 (delivered to Sea-Land as SS Sealand Market)) |
| Acquired: | 16 November 1981 |
| In service: | probably ca. 16 November 1981 |
| Out of service: | probably ca. 28 July 1984 |
| In service: | probably ca. 31 March 1986 |
| Out of service: | 1 October 2007 |
| Honors and awards: | |
| Status: |
Transferred to United States Maritime Administration 1 October 2007 Transferred to 5-day Ready Reserve 1 October 2008 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type: | Algol class vehicle cargo ship |
| Displacement: |
29692 tons (light) 55,355 tons (full) |
| Length: | 946 ft 2 in (288 m) |
| Beam: | 105 ft 6 in (32 m) |
| Draft: | 36 ft 4 in (11 m) |
| Propulsion: |
Two Foster-Wheeler boilers, 875 psi (61.6kg/cm2) two General Electric MST-19 steam turbines; two shafts; 120,000 hp (89.5 MW) |
| Speed: | 33 knots |
| Capacity: | 700+ military vehicles (including trucks, tanks, and helicopters) |
| Complement: | 43 civilians, 12 military technicians (fully operational), 18 civilians (reduced operating status) |
| Armament: | None |
| Aviation facilities: | Landing pad |
USNS Pollux (T-AK-290), later T-AKR-290, the fourth United States Navy ship of the name, is an Algol-class vehicle cargo ship that is currently maintained by the United States Maritime Administration as part of the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) as SS Pollux (T-AKR-290).
Construction and early career[]
The ship was built as the high-speed commercial cargo ship SS Sea-Land Market by A.G. Weser in Bremen, West Germany, for Sea-Land Service, Inc..[1] Launched on 1 May 1973, she was delivered to Sea-Land on 1 September 1973.[2] Due to her high operating cost, she proved uneconomical for commercial use. Sea-Land sold her to the United States Navy on 16 November 1981.[3]
The U.S. Navy classified the ship as a cargo ship (AK), assigned her to the Military Sealift Command for non-commissioned service, and renamed her USNS Pollux (T-AK-290). In September 1992, the Navy reclassified her as roll-on/roll-off vehicle cargo ship and redesignated her as T-AKR-290.
Conversion[]
Pollux's conversion into a vehicle cargo ship began on 28 July 1984 at Avondale Shipyards in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her cargo hold was redesigned into a series of decks connected by ramps so vehicles can be driven into and out of the cargo hold for fast loading and unloading. She was also fitted with two sets of two cranes, one set located at amidships capable of lifting 35 tons (31,752 kg), and another set located aft capable of lifting 50 tons (45,360 kg).[1] When her conversion was complete, Avondale delivered her to the Military Sealift Command on 31 March 1986.[4]
Service[]
When not active, Pollux was kept in a reduced operating status due to her high operating cost. If needed, she could be activated and ready to move in 96 hours.[5] Pollux took part in the Persian Gulf War in 1990-1991. Along with the other seven Algol class vehicle cargo ships, she transported 14 percent of all cargo transported between the United States and Saudi Arabia during and after the war.[6]
Transfer to Maritime Administration and Ready Reserve Force[]
On 1 October 2007, Pollux was transferred to the United States Maritime Administration. On 1 October 2008, she was transferred to the Ready Reserve Force, losing her "USNS" designation, and laid up at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[6][7] She can be reactivated in five days when needed.[2] If activated again, Pollux will report to the Military Sealift Command.[3]
References[]
The original article can be found at USNS Pollux (T-AKR-290) and the edit history here.