SS Altair

SS Altair (T-AKR 291) 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 Rheinstahl Nordseewerke in Emden, West Germany, hull no. 431, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. and named SS Sea-Land Finance, USCG ON 550722, IMO 7315571.[1][2] Due to her high operating cost, she was sold to the United States Navy on 5 January 1982 as USNS Altair (T-AK-291).[3]

For other ships with the same name, see USS Altair.
USNS Altair (T-AKR-291) loading ground support equipment onto a floating causeway during Exercise Gallant Eagle 86.
History
United States
NamesakeAltair
Operator United States Navy
BuilderRheinstahl Nordseewerke
Launched1 April 1973
Acquired5 January 1982
Identification
Honors and
awards
StatusReady Reserve
General characteristics
Class and typeAlgol class vehicle cargo ship
Displacement55,355 tons (full)
Length946 ft 2 in (288 m)
Beam105 ft 6 in (32 m)
Draft36 ft 4 in (11 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 × Foster-Wheeler boilers, 875 psi (61.6kg/cm2)
  • 2 × GE MST-19 steam turbines; 120,000 hp (89.5 MW)
Speed33 knots
Capacity700+ military vehicles (including trucks, tanks, and helicopters)
Complement43 civilians, 12 military technicians (fully operational), 18 civilians (reduced operating status)
ArmamentNone
Aviation facilitiesLanding pad

In keeping with the pattern of the naming the Algol-class ships after bright stars, the Altair was named after Altair, the brightest star in the constellation Aquila and the twelfth brightest star in the night sky.

Conversion

Conversion 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 midship capable of lifting 35 tons, and another set located aft capable of lifting 50 tons.[2] She was delivered to the Military Sealift Command on 13 November 1985 as USNS Altair (T-AKR 291).[4]

Service

When not active, Altair is kept in reduced operating status due to her high operating cost. If needed, she can be activated and ready to sail in 96 hours.[5] Altair took part in the Persian Gulf War in 1990. Along with the other seven Algol class cargo ships, she transported 14 percent of all cargo delivered between the United States and Saudi Arabia during and after the war.[6]

On 1 October 2007, Altair was transferred to the United States Maritime Administration. On 1 October 2008, she was transferred to the Ready Reserve Force, losing her USNS designation.[6][7] If activated, Altair will report to the Military Sealift Command.[3]

Citations
  1. Cudahay 206 p. 266
  2. 'USNS Altair (T-AKR 291)', retrieved 8 April 2009
  3. Ready Reserve Force Ships, retrieved 8 April 2009
  4. 'Service Ship Photo Archive: SS Altair (AKR-291)', retrieved 8 April 2009
  5. Cargo - Fast Sealift - Support (FSS), Specialized, archived from the original on 14 May 2011, retrieved 8 April 2009
  6. 'U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command: Fact Sheet', December 2003, retrieved 8 April 2009
  7. 'Fast Sealift Ships - T-AKR', 22 January 2008, retrieved 8 April 2009

References
  • Cudahay, Brian J. (2006). Box Boats: How Container Ships Changed the World. Fordham University Press. ISBN 9780823225699.
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