SS Cape Florida (AK-5071)

SS Cape Florida (AK-5071) was laid down 29 December 1969, as SS LASH Turkiye, a United States Maritime Administration type (C8-S-81b) hull under Maritime Administration contract (MA 229) at Avondale Industries Corp., New Orleans. She was launched, 10 October 1970 and delivered to the Maritime Administration, 12 September 1973, for operation by Prudential Grace Line. She was acquired by Delta Line and initially renamed SS Delta Caribe and subsequently SS American Caribe. She was reacquired by the Maritime Administration for assignment to the Ready Reserve Fleet (RRF) on 17 February 1987 where she was berthed at Beaumont, Texas. When activated Cape Florida was assigned to the Military Sealift Command (MSC) as one of the Military Sealift Command's four LASH Ready Reserve Force Ships and could be activated in 10 days. She was removed from MSC control, withdrawn from the RRF by reassignment to the National Defense Reserve Fleet, 28 July 2006. On 6 July 2020 the contract for dismantling Cape Florida was awarded to International Shipbreaking Ltd. She arrived at Brownsville, Texas on 13 August of the same year to begin scrapping, with the process expected to be completed by early 2021.[1]

LASH Turkiye seen in 1971
History
United States
NameSS Cape Florida (AK-5071)
BuilderAvondale Industries Corp., New Orleans, LA
Laid down29 December 1969
Launched10 October 1970
Acquired17 February 1987
Out of service28 July 2006
Identification
FateScrapped at Brownsville, TX beginning 13 August 2020
NotesLaunched as SS LASH Turkiye
General characteristics
Class and typeLighter Aboard Ship (LASH) Barge Carrier - C8-S-81b
Displacement44,610 tons
Length893 ft 0 in (272.19 m)
Beam100 ft 0 in (30.48 m)
Draft38 ft 0 in (11.58 m)
PropulsionSteam turbine, single propeller
Speed18.7 kn (21.5 mph; 34.6 km/h)
Capacity77 barges
ComplementFull Operational Status: 31 civilian mariners
ArmamentNone
Aviation facilitiesNone

References

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  1. ^ "SS Cape Florida arrives at Port of Brownsville". Recycling Today. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
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