Gopher State-class crane ship

The Gopher State-class crane ships of the United States Navy are a class of auxiliary vessels. The lead ship of the class is named in honor of the state of Minnesota. Original United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) designation for the ship is C5-S-73b.

SS Gopher State
SS Gopher State
Class overview
NameGopher State class
BuildersBath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
Operators United States Navy
Built1967โ€“1972
In commission1986โ€“present
Completed3
Active3
General characteristics
TypeCrane ship
Displacement13,500 long tons (13,717 t) light
Length668 ft 7 in (203.78 m)
Beam76 ft 1 in (23.19 m)
Draft33 ft 6 in (10.21 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 boilers
  • 2 steam turbines
  • 1 shaft
  • 17,500 shp (13,050 kW)
Speed17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph)
Capacity
Complement
  • 9 civilians in Reduced Operating Status
  • 32 civilians in Full Operating Status

History

All three vessels of the class were former Sea Witch-class container ships built at the Bath Iron Works for American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines. AEIL was acquired by Farrell Lines in 1978 and the ships were later returned to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) at an unknown date. They were converted for naval service as crane ships in 1986โ€“1987.

SS Gopher State and SS Cornhusker State are in MARAD Ready Reserve Force status in Newport News, Virginia. SS Flickertail State has been transferred from the Ready Reserve Force to the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) at Alameda, CA., for stripping of spare parts for sister ships.

Ships in class

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