T.S. Empire State VI

U. S. T. S. "Empire State VI" (T-AP 1001) is a troop ship of the US Navy and training vessel of the United States Maritime Service.

Birth and Early Years

The vessel known today as "Empire State VI" was originally built for States Steamship Company in Newport News, Virginia at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. She was launched on January 19, 1962 as the SS "Oregon", a name she kept until the vessel was purchased February 15, 1977 by Moore McCormack Lines who renamed the vessel SS "Mormactide". She went to United States Lines in 1983 when USL purchased MML. Although not the last private owner of the vessel, Moore McCormack Lines was the last company to operate the "Empire State" before being entered into government service, as USL only operated container ships.

Government Service

In 1986 the last private owner of the vessel, United States Lines, went bankrupt and turned over the "Mormactide" to the Federal Government [MARAD] . She was originally designated to be converted to an ammunition ship, the USNS "CAPE JUNCTION", TAK507?. Meanwhile, the vessel was laid up in the James River, National Defense Reserve Fleet, Ft Eustice, Virginia. In 1988 the "Mormactide" was taken to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and underwent a conversion to a Training Ship at Bay Shipbuilding Corporation. After the conversion the "Mormactide" was renamed to the current name "Empire State VI". She was delivered to the State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler on New Years Eve in 1989 to replace the school's aging "Empire State V".

In 1994 the "Empire State VI" was activated by MARAD to support the withdrawal of American troops from Mogadishu, Somalia. In the 2005 aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita which devastated the Gulf Coast, MARAD again activated the "Empire State VI". The vessel provided housing and support for port workers and petroleum industry workers as they began repairs on strategic infrastructure and facilities in Louisiana.

"Empire State VI" is currently under the command of college graduate and alumnus Captain Rick Smith. Captain Smith is also the Commandant of Cadets at the Maritime College.

External links

* [http://www.usmm.org/msts/line.html A list of Sealift Command ships]

References

* http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/ft-schuyler.htm
* http://www.conocophillips.com/newsroom/news_releases/2005+News+Releases/090805_Maritime_Ship_Floating_Hotel.htm
* http://www.suny.edu/sunyNews/News.cfm?filname=2005-06-17StudentsSailHometoIstanbulFromBronx.htm
* http://www.marad.dot.gov/HEADLINES/newsletters/March2006/March%202006%20Newsletter.pdf
* http://www.vos.noaa.gov/MWL/dec_06/suny.shtml
* http://www.moore-mccormack.com/Cargo-Liners/Last-Boom-Ships.htm