SS Bellatrix

SS Bellatrix (T-AKR 288) 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, Emden, West Germany, hull no. 430, for Sea-Land Service, Inc. and named SS Sea-Land Trade, USCG ON 545201, IMO 7236153.[1][2] Due to her high operating cost, Sea-Land Trade was sold to the United States Navy in October 1981 as USNS Bellatrix (T-AK-288).[3]

History
United States
NamesakeBellatrix
Operator United States Navy
BuilderRotterdamsche D.D.Mij N.V
Launched1 February 1973
Acquired13 October 1981
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 Bellatrix was named after Bellatrix, the third-brightest star in the constellation Orion.

Conversion

Conversion began on 22 October 1982 at National Steel and Shipbuilding in San Diego, California. 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 in 1984 as USNS Bellatrix (T-AKR 288).[4]

Service

When not active, Bellatrix 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] Bellatrix 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] In early 2003, Bellatrix was activated to take part in Operation Iraqi Freedom.[6]

On 1 October 2007, Bellatrix 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, SS Bellatrix will report to the Military Sealift Command.[3] She is currently located in Marrero, Louisiana.[4]

Citations
  1. Cudahay 2006 p. 266
  2. USNS Bellatrix (T-AKR 288), retrieved 5 April 2009
  3. Ready Reserve Force Ships, retrieved 5 April 2009
  4. Service Ship Photo Archive: SS Bellatrix (AKR-288), 19 September 2008, retrieved 5 April 2009
  5. Cargo - Fast Sealift - Support (FSS), Specialized, archived from the original on 14 May 2011, retrieved 5 April 2009
  6. 'U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command: Fact Sheet', December 2003, retrieved 4 April 2009
  7. Fast Sealift Ships - T-AKR, 22 January 2008, retrieved 4 April 2009

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