SS Cape Island (T-AKR-10)

Cape Island sailing into San Francisco Bay
History
United States
Name	SS Illinois
Owner	United States Maritime Administration
Builder	Bath Iron Works, Bath, ME.
Laid down	16 February 1976
Launched	21 December 1976
Acquired	2 June 1977, to States Lines, and renamed the USNS Mercury,
Renamed	SS Cape Island, 22 November 1993 and assigned to the Maritime Administration's Ready Reserve Force
Identification	IMO number: 7390131 MMSI number: 366779000 Callsign: WZSZ
Honors and awards	National Defense Service Medal - Southwest Asia Service Medal - Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Status	laid up as part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet in a layberth at Tacoma, WA. in ROS-5 status
Notes	May possibly be in ROE-10 not sure Currenttly Moored in Tacoma, Washington
General characteristics
Class and type	Roll-on/Roll-off Ship
Displacement	15,000 tons, 33,900 tons full
Length	685'
Beam	102'
Draft	32'
Propulsion	two steam turbines, two propellers
Speed	23.0 Knots
Range	12,600
Complement	Full Operational Status 31, Reduced Operational Status 9
Armament	None

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 eventually transferred to the Naval Vessel Register (NVR) as the USNS Mercury, as a transport ship for vehicles, and other goods. The ship was returned to Crowley Liner Services of Jacksonville, Florida. In 1993 the ship was permanently transferred to the navy's ready reserve force, 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 five days, if called upon. The ship is currently moored in Tacoma, Washington.

As of 9/12/23, SS Cape Island is undergoing sea trials in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Sea trials on 2023-09-12

Further reading

• Ship's official page on Military Sealift Command
• Ship photo index NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
• Wikimapia site
• Naval Vessel Register