Two James River Reserve Fleet ships head for the scrap yard

Two James River Reserve Fleet ships head for the scrap yard The U.S. Maritime Administration has announced that two more ships have been released from the James River Reserve Fleet in Newport News, Va., for scrapping.
   The State was awarded to Bay Bridge Enterprises of Chesapeake, Va. The federal government will spend $851,194 to scrap the vessel.
   When the State was launched as a passenger ship in 1950, it was considered an example of futuristic steamship design, MarAd said. The ship was taken over by the Navy and served as a troop transport named Barrett. While the State has been in the James River site, it has occasionally served as an exercise platform for Army units, MarAd said.
   The second ship, Cape Clear, will be dismantled by Esco Marine in Brownsville, Texas, at a cost of $537,726. The freighter was built in 1963.
   MarAd keeps ships in three National Defense Reserve Fleet sites to support U.S. military movements and to respond to national emergencies. When the ships become obsolete, MarAd arranges for their disposal.
   The departure of the State and Cape Clear mark the 58th and 59th ships to leave the James River site since Jan. 1, 2001. After their removal, there will be 43 ships slated for disposal left at the site.