USNS SOUTHERN CROSS T-AK 285 Naval Cover 1981 ANTARCTICA Cachet Navy FPO 96699

It was sent 24 Jun 1981.  It was franked with stamp "Grain".

This cover is in very good, but not perfect condition. Please look at the scan and make your own judgement. 

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Northern Light Class Breakbulk Cargo Ship:

Laid down, 1 February 1961, as SS Mormactrade, a Maritime Administration type (C3-S-33a) hull, under Maritime Administration contract (MA hull 98), at Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Chester, PA.

Launched, 1 January 1962

Delivered to Moore-McCormack Lines, 12 April 1962

Returned to the Maritime Administration for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, 15 February 1980

Acquired by the US Navy, 20 April 1980 and placed in service with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) as USNS Southern Cross (T-AK-285)

Placed out of service and laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Fort Eustis, VA., in RRF-30 status (MSC Ready Reserve available in 30 days)

Title transferred to MARAD, 1 October 1994, and released from RRF status

Sold for scrapping, 24 August 2007, to North American Ship Recycling, Sparrows Point, MD., as part of a five ship contract for $2,161,610.

Final Disposition, scrapping contract re-awarded to ESCO Marine, Brownsville, TX., for $617,699, 21 December 2007, after North American Ship Recycling defaulted on original contract

Specifications:

Displacement 5,873 t.(lt) 18,410 t.(fl)

Length 486'

Beam 68'

Draft 31' (max.)

Speed 16.2 kts.

Propulsion two boilers, single steam turbine engine, one propeller