A member of the "African Comet" class which included AFRICAN COMET (Cape Alava), AFRICAN MERCURY (Cape Ann), AFRICAN NEPTUNE (Cape Archway), AFRICAN SUN (Cape Avinof) , and AFRICAN DAWN (Dawn).
Five of the former Farrell Line vessels, the Cape Alexander, Cape Archway, Cape Avinof, Cape Alava, and Cape Ann were activated in 1990 to provide logistical support for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The Navy’s Military Sealift Command activated the Cape Alexander on August 2, 1990. The ship left James River for the Jonathan Corporation Repair Yard in Norfolk where it was made fully operational. From Norfolk Cape Alexander proceeded to Wilmington, Delaware and Jacksonville, Florida for loading operations. Cape Alexander made three voyages in support of Desert Shield/Desert Storm and the Navy’s activities in the Mediterranean. It carried ammunition, fuel, and other supplies to Naples, Italy; Augusta Bay, Sicily; and Ad Damman and Jeddah Saudi Arabia. The Cape Alexander returned to the James River Reserve Fleet anchorage in August 1991. |