Type C6 ship

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Builders
OperatorsUnited States Maritime Commission
Preceded byType C4 and C5 class ships
SucceededbyType C7 container ship
Type C6 ship SS Grand Canyon State as a converted auxiliary crane ship.
Class overview
Builders
OperatorsUnited States Maritime Commission
Preceded byType C4 and C5 class ships
Succeeded byType C7 container ship
SubclassesFour
Completed19
Laid up3 (NDRF)
Scrapped16
General characteristics
Type
  • C6-S-1qa partial container ship (3 converted from C4-S-1a)
  • C6-S-1w container ship (8 converted from C4-S-1a)
  • C6-S-85a container ship (4 new built)
  • C6-S-85b container ship (3 new built)
Tonnage
  • 16,820 gross tons (C6-S-1qa)
  • 15,830 gross tons C6-S-1w
  • 21,150 gross tons C6-S-85a
  • 21,500 gross tons C6-S-85b
Length
  • 668.65 ft (203.80 m) C6-S-1qc
  • 661.17 ft (201.52 m) C6-S-1w
  • 669.67 ft (204.12 m) C6-S-85a
Beam
  • 76 ft (23 m) C6-S-1qc
  • 76 ft (23 m) C6-S-1w
  • 90 ft (27 m) C6-S-85a
Draft
  • 33.08 ft (10.08 m) C6-S-1qc
  • 27 ft (8.2 m) C6-S-1w
  • 29 ft (8.8 m) C6-S-85a
Speed19.5 - 22.5 knots
Range
  • 13,700 miles (C6-S-1qc)
  • 9,400 miles (C6-S-1w)
  • 16,200 miles (C6-S-85a)
ComplementVaried by design type

The Type C6 ship is a United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) designation for a container ship developed during the transition years from moving goods by breakbulk cargo to containerization. The Type C4 ships Mariner class, arranged with its house/engine-room in the center of the vessel with cargo hatches at 4 forward and 2 aft, was very successful. Eleven of these Mariner ships were converted into Type C6 container ships, and eight vessels were new built. As of September 2023 only three C6 ships, the converted C4s, are extant. All three are crane ships in the National Defense Reserve Fleet.

Three vessels of the American President Lines had been built in 1966 as Type C4-S-1qa ships by National Steel and Shipbuilding, San Diego, California. Between 1972 and 1973 these breakbulk cargo vessels were converted into partial containerships.[1] The conversion work was done at Todd Pacific Shipyards, Seattle, Washington. Overall length was extended by 105 ft. Bow thrusters were also fitted into the ships for improved maneuverability along with an improved stabilization system.[2] Between 1984-1986 all three vessels were acquired by the U.S.Navy and re-fitted as Auxiliary Crane Ships for use by the Military Sealift Command (C6-S-MA1qd).[3] As of September 2023 all three of these converted vessels were listed in the Ready Reserve Force, National Defense Reserve Fleet.[4]

Type C4-S-1qa Breakbulk Cargo Ship conversions to Type C6-S-1qa Container Ship
Original nameMARAD No.National Steel hull no.Notes
President Polk (3)MA-164338 [5]1986 conversion to a crane ship at Dillingham Ship Repair (Portland, OR); renamed Grand Canyon State (T-ACS 3)[5]
President Monroe (3)MA-165339 [5]1986 conversion to a crane ship at Dillingham Ship Repair (Portland, OR); renamed Gem State (T-ACS 2)[5]
President Harrison (3)MA-166340 [5]1984 conversion to a crane ship at Manitowoc (WI); renamed Keystone State (T-ACS 1)[5]

The American President lines also took delivery on four new built ships, designated Type C6-S-85b, the Pacesetters,[6] from Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Three were delivered in 1973 and the fourth in 1974. Between 1979 and 1982 the vessels were traded in to MARAD as partial down payment for new ships. They were first laid up at the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet but were eventually scrapped.

New built C6-S-85b Container Ships
Ship NameMARAD No.Ingalls Hull No.Notes
President Jefferson (3)MA-2481184 [7]Scrapped 2001[8]
President Madison (4)MA-2491185 [7]Scrapped 1999
President Pierce (3)MA-2501186 [7]Scrapped 2005 [9]
President Johnson (5)MA-2551187 [7]Scrapped 1999

United States Lines

Farrell Lines

References

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