Gopher State-class crane ship

The Gopher State-class crane ships of the United States Navy are a class of auxiliary vessels. The lead ship of the class is named in honor of the state of Minnesota. Original United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) designation for the ship is C5-S-73b.

SS Gopher State
Class overview
Name: Gopher State class
Builders: Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
Operators:  United States Navy
Built: 1967–1972
In commission: 1986–present
Completed: 3
Active: 3
General characteristics
Type: Crane ship
Displacement: 13,500 long tons (13,717 t) light
Length: 668 ft 7 in (203.78 m)
Beam: 76 ft 1 in (23.19 m)
Draft: 33 ft 6 in (10.21 m)
Propulsion:
  • 2 boilers
  • 2 steam turbines
  • 1 shaft
  • 17,500 shp (13,050 kW)
Speed: 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph)
Capacity:
Complement:
  • 9 civilians in Reduced Operating Status
  • 32 civilians in Full Operating Status

History

All three vessels of the class were former Sea Witch-class container ships built at the Bath Iron Works for American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines. AEIL was acquired by Farrell Lines in 1978 and the ships were later returned to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) at an unknown date. They were converted for naval service as crane ships in 1986-1987.

All three ships are in MARAD Ready Reserve Force status in Newport News, Virginia.

Ships in class
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