Outboard Profiles of Maritime Administration  Vessels

The C5-Designs and his Conversions

All Drawings by Karsten-Kunibert Krueger-Kopiske 2007

Six vessels were contracted by the Marad for service by the American Export-Isbrandsten Lines Inc. In the second half of the eighties, three vessels C.V.LIGHTNING, C.V.STAG HOUND and EXPORT LEADER were converted to Auxiliary Crane Ships by Norfolk SB & DD Co.at Norfolk, Virginia for service by the Military Sealift Command (see C5-S-MA73c). The C5-S-73b were the first large all-container vessels for the American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines Inc. Each vessel has a total of 928 20-ft containers or an equivalent mix of 20- and 40-ft boxes. Her bale capacity is 952,000 cu ft. Originally contracted for as bulk cargo vessels, at AEIL's request and with permission of the U.S. Maritime Administration, the design was changed to a containcrship with the hulls lengthened from 565 to 610 ft and with substantial modifications to deck machinery and internal structure. Equipped with General Electric geared turbine power plant is rated at 17,500 shp and her cruising speed is in excess of 20 knots. C.V.SEA WITCH was sold in September 1981 and converted into an Chemical Carrier and renamed to CHEMICAL DISCOVERER and in September 1983 to CHEMICAL PIONEER. EXPORT FREEDOM and EXPORT were sold in March 1978 to Farrell Lines Inc.

When Newport News delivered the ALASKAN MAIL to the American Mail Line Ltd.of Seattle, Washington they were the largest general cargoliners at this time. One characteristic feature on this vessel will be the Bipood masts designed by MacGregor. American Mail, incidentally, was the first U.S.vessel operator to adopt the Bipod mast cargo handling system in 1959, and the continued usage on all their subsequently built ships has made the distinctive appearing Bipod the pre-dominently recognizable characteristic of its Fleet. Designed for any kind of cargo the vessel can carry in various amounts breakbulk, liquid cargo and containers and made this vessels to the most versatile cargo ships at this time. Main turbines and gears were constructed by General Electric Corp. The main engine is a cross compound, double-reduction gear type with L-P and H-P turbine developing 21,600 shp at 102 rpm and 24,000 shp at 105 rpm. In October 1973 ALASKAN MAIL was sold to APL. In April she was renamed to PRESIDENT ADAMS. In April 1988 title was transferred to Marad and she was renamed to CAPE GIRARDEAU. INDIAN and KOREAN MAIL also sold to APL and renamed to PRESIDENT JACKSON and PRESIDENT TAYLOR. In March 1988 PRESIDENT JACKSON was transferred to Marad and renamed to CAPE GIBSON. PRESIDENT TAYLOR was sold in January 1989 to Lykes and renamed to STELLA LYKES. HONGKONG MAIL was sold in May 1978 to APL and renamed to PRESIDENT WILSON. She was again resold in May 1987 to Lykes and renamed to SUE LYKES. A remarkable career has the last ship of this class the AMERICAN MAIL. Delivered in October 1969, she was sold to APL in May 1978 and renamed to PRESIDENT CLEVELAND. Again resold in November 1988 to the New York based Victory Maritime Inc.and renamed in February 1989 to CLEVELAND, she is by this time (2007) still in service and one of the last remaining vessels of this time.