The C-5-S-75a class cargo ship is one of the last remaining bulk cargo ships that remain in service under the U.S. Flag.
A total of 5 ships were constructed under this class at the Newport News Shipbuilding Co. in Newport News, VA from 1968 to 1969. They entered the fleet just as containerization began to take hold, and thus were also one of the last break-bulk cargo ships build in an American shipyard. Initially all owned by the American Mail Lines, they were all eventually bought by the American President Lines (APL).
The 5 ships in the class were (current disposition/status in parentheses):
S.S. Alaskan Mail (S.S. Cape Girardeau – MARAD RRF)
S.S. Indian Mail (S.S. Cape Gibson – MARAD RRF)
S.S. American Mail (S.S. Cleveland – Sold for scrap, 2009)
S.S. Korea Mail (Scrapped, 1995)
S.S. Hong Kong Mail (Scrapped, 2008)
With excellent lines, a cruising speed of 21 knots, and passenger capacity of 12, these ships were truly proud and capable ships that represented what could be described as the Cadillac’s of the U.S. fleet at the time. The ships were known to be interesting and a pleasure to serve on. They had an elaborate library, a card room with etched glass partitions, mahogany furniture, and officer and crew messes on different decks.
The extremely detailed and excellent historical website on the U.S. Maritime Commission http://usmaritimecommission.de provides a historical summary of this class:
When Newport News delivered the ALASKAN MAIL to the American Mail Line Ltd.of Seattle, Washington they were the largest general cargoliners at this time. One characteristic feature on this vessel will be the Bipood masts designed by MacGregor. American Mail, incidentally, was the first U.S.vessel operator to adopt the Bipod mast cargo handling system in 1959, and the continued usage on all their subsequently built ships has made the distinctive appearing Bipod the pre-dominently recognizable characteristic of its Fleet. Designed for any kind of cargo the vessel can carry in various amounts breakbulk, liquid cargo and containers and made this vessels to the most versatile cargo ships at this time. Main turbines and gears were constructed by General Electric Corp. The main engine is a cross compound, double-reduction gear type with L-P and H-P turbine developing 21,600 shp at 102 rpm and 24,000 shp at 105 rpm. In October 1973 ALASKAN MAIL was sold to APL. In April she was renamed to PRESIDENT ADAMS. In April 1988 title was transferred to Marad and she was renamed to CAPE GIRARDEAU. INDIAN and KOREAN MAIL also sold to APL and renamed to PRESIDENT JACKSON and PRESIDENT TAYLOR. In March 1988 PRESIDENT JACKSON was transferred to Marad and renamed to CAPE GIBSON. PRESIDENT TAYLOR was sold in January 1989 to Lykes and renamed to STELLA LYKES. HONGKONG MAIL was sold in May 1978 to APL and renamed to PRESIDENT WILSON. She was again resold in May 1987 to Lykes and renamed to SUE LYKES. A remarkable career has the last ship of this class the AMERICAN MAIL. Delivered in October 1969, she was sold to APL in May 1978 and renamed to PRESIDENT CLEVELAND. Again resold in November 1988 to the New York based Victory Maritime Inc.and renamed in February 1989 to CLEVELAND, she is by this time (2007) still in service and one of the last remaining vessels of this time.
Find an even more detailed description of the class here.
7 Responses to “Fleet profile – The C-5-S-75a Class”
sid fujinari
I’ve had the honor to sail on all 5 of these ships. I’ve sailed as AB on all five and deck maintenance a the SS President Cleveland, Wilson, and Adams if my memory serves me right. So as you see, I sailed them when Mail Lines were aquired by American President Lines out of the Sailor’s Union of the Pacific hall in Seattle. All were Seattle based though we picked up grain from Sacramento after the Mt.St.Helens eruptions interrupted passage through the Columbia river where we got grain in Portland Oregon. I sailed them from1980-1990 when the ships were beginning to be sold, scrapped or run by MSTS. They sailed so smoothly, steered like a charm even with 7 knots of current going up or down the mighty Columbia river. The “A” frame king post forward were like sights to aim at day markers.They carried each and everything and could go to a bare dock as Belawan on Sumatra to back load raw rubber.I’ll never experience the thrill of setting up gear, splicing wire rope and improvise with snatch blocks to counter the outboard swing of the boom if using them at sea,etc. There are just too many memories, and they’re all in my heart!
sid fujinari
Admit it. The billionaire ship owners have paid off the politicians to put enough holes in the Jones Act to be able to use it as a colander. Why are all the clothes made in china or Bangladesh and other countries? Because billionaire corporations as Costco and other billionaire companies greed, not unpayable costs. I would much more Where Cathartt or Ben Davis to work on ships because they would last. I’ll pay difference, but the owners won’t dare take a cut for quality. Sad. Just when Warren Buffet, abillionaire himself admited it’s ludicrous thathe pays less tax than his secretary.
Robert Holt
I was aboard the Alaskan Mail as 3rd Asst Engineer when she left Newport News for Seattle. I sailed aboard her till 1970. She is indeed a beautiful ship.
sid fujinari
That must have been really a great experience to have taken it to her home port for her Maiden Voyage Robert! She was the SS President Adams when I sailed on her. When it was bad weather and I would go up for my quartermaster watch from inside, the name plate ” Alaskan Mail ” built in Newport News was always in sight before going through the chartroom to relieve my watch partner at the wheel.
Sid Fujinari
I doubt that very much. It’s that the US is a two party, Both right wing country. The working man has a third of his pay cut with taxes while the billionaires, nay, trillionaire ship owners pay none and are so used to making but not paying that they refuse to sail under American Flag. As for restrictive operating enviroment, all the foreign Flag of convenience ships come and must pay the ILWU workers the same price as an American Flag ship therefore what is restrictive. I payed my tax and knew I needded to but the rich MUST or the countries industrie are all gone. That is now the case and has been, only colonialism, and third word exploitation is become a thing of the pas for developed countries. I admire the Scandanavian countries because socialism is not a bad word as it is here. If everyone payed their share (the rich) in this country, there would still be a viable merchant marine.
R J Trahan
I’ve been searching for some time to discover the fate of the SS Cleveland. It’s bitter/sweet to discover she was sold for scrap in 2009.
I sailed her off and on for several years in the ’90s. I even requested her (much to the amazement of the business agent) because she was a great ship. She road beautifully, slept great, and was a real pleasure to steer. I was AB and have many fine memories of the Cleveland from many voyages to numerous ports in Africa, the Med, and central and South America.
It may seem a bit rediculous but I do still think of her from time to time and always with respect and admiration.
Farewell ole girl! You were great!
jeremy bert
I sailed as AB in the Indian Mail in 78 on the jungle run . Kenny Klouse Bosun. When we got back to the west coast she was renamed The President Jackson. Also made 2 trips on the Wilson (ex Hong Kong Mail) as 3rd Mate. Nervous Norman was Skipper. Later I made 2 trips on the Jackson as 2nd Mate with Weeping Willie as Cap. Then I went full circle and took an AB job to take her from Seattle to Hunter’s Point via Portland . We lost the plant in the Columbia River while I was on the wheel and the Pilot kept his cool steering the ship backwards around a horseshoe bend . Willie sent me forward to show the new green Chief Mate how to disengage the anchor windlass….My last job aboard a C5 was Chief Mate in the Taylor for Waterman SS Co. A crew of SIU Stiffs that thought being able to steer made you an AB. The run was to the Med and The Red Sea. We slushed gear on the Eastbound and cleaned the holds westbound