The eight full container ships of the MARAD Design C6-S-1w of the US shipping company United States Lines were created through fundamental conversions from fast freighters of the Mariner class (type C4-S-1a).
Comparison of the side view, before and after the renovation
The eight turbine general cargo ships were originally built in the early 1950s at various shipyards on behalf of MARAD and given to the United States Line to operate. From 1956 all eight ships of American Pioneer Lines - a subsidiary of United States Lines - were subordinated. The ships were given names beginning with "Pioneer M ..." and remained in service until 1970/71.
At the end of the 1960s, the future importance of the container in merchant shipping became obvious, whereupon the ship octet was lengthened by around 32 meters at several shipyards from 1970 and converted into semi-container ships of the MARAD type C6-S-1w. Then the ships came back into service between September 1970 and February 1971 and served the shipping company until 1983. In the period from 1983 the ships were initially in New York before they were sold for scrapping in December 1985. Six of the ships were abandoned in Kaohsiung , two in Castellón de la Plana, Spain .
technology
As a mariner
The original C-4-S-1 design represented an extremely progressive general cargo ship design with a slightly streamlined bridge house just behind the center of the ship, a heavily overhanging stern with a bulbous bow and a cruiser stern in many respects modern details such as a high degree of automation of the deck and machinery. The hatch covers with a large degree of deck opening on the main deck, in conjunction with the large hydraulic tween deck hatches, were intended to ensure problem-free vertical access to the cargo. The transhipment facilities consisted of contemporary loading trees. The ships had five holds, some of which were designed for refrigerated cargo, and deep tanks for liquid cargoes.
As a container ship
After the conversion to a full container ship with 1027 TEU, which was carried out by removing the entire loading gear and installing a 32-meter-long central ship section as well as side deck extensions to increase the number of container spaces in the fore and aft deck area, the ships were able to be considered contemporary again for a limited period are designated. After the oil crisis of 1973, however, the high fuel consumption considerably limited the profitability compared to motor ships, whereupon the ships were taken out of service during the poor shipping economy in 1983. The type of ship originally reached speeds of a little over 20 knots thanks to its geared steam turbine drive, after the conversion the speed was only reduced to a still remarkable 19.75 knots.
Overview
MARAD-Design C6-S-1w
Commissioning
Shipyard / construction number
Building name
Conversion yard
Renaming and whereabouts
1953
Ingalls Shipbuilding / 461
Cotton Mariner
Alabama Dry Dock & Shipbuilding
1956 → Pioneer Mist , converted into a container ship in 1970 → American Archer , 1983 → laid up in New York, May 13, 1985 → demolished in Kaohsiung
1953
Bethlehem Steel / 4508
Mountain Mariner
Bethlehem Steel
1956 → Pioneer Mart , converted into a container ship in 1971 → American Accord , 1983 → laid up in New York, May 13, 1986 → demolished in Kaohsiung
1953
Bethlehem Steel / 4509
Gopher Mariner
Todd Shipyards, Galveston
1956 → Pioneer Minx , converted into a container ship in 1970 → American Leader , 1983 → laid up in New York, 1985 → demolished in Castellon de la Plana
1954
Ingalls Shipbuilding / 463
Peninsula Mariner
Alabama Dry Dock & Shipbuilding
1956 → Pioneer Main , converted into a container ship in 1970 → American Argosy , 1983 → laid up in New York, July 1986 → demolished in Kaohsiung
1954
Bethlehem Steel / 4511
Sunflower Mariner
Bethlehem Steel
1956 → Pioneer Moor , converted into a container ship in 1970 → American Ace , 1983 → laid up in New York, June 15, 1985 → demolished in Kaohsiung
1954
Bethlehem Steel / 4510
Show Me Mariner
Norfolk Shipbuilding
1956 → Pioneer Mill , converted into a container ship in 1970 → American Alliance , 1983 → launched in New York, May 20, 1987 → demolished in Kaohsiung
1954
Ingalls Shipbuilding / 462
Pelican Mariner
Todd Shipyards, Galveston
1956 → Pioneer Myth , converted into a container ship in 1971 → American Legend , 1983 → laid up in New York, June 1, 1986 → demolished in Kaohsiung
1954
New York Ship / 496
Silver State Mariner
Todd Shipyards, Brooklyn
1956 → Pioneer Ming , converted into a container ship in 1970 → American Legacy , 1983 → laid up in New York, March 11, 1986 → demolished in Castellon de la Plana
literature
John H. LaDage: Merchant Ships. A pictoral study . . Edition. Cornell Maritime Press, Cambridge 1968.
Brian J. Cudahy: Box boats . How container ships changed the world. Fordham University press, New York 2006, ISBN 0-8232-2568-2 .
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