The USNS Blue Jacket (T-AF-51) was an Alstede-class stores ship that served in the United States Navy's Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) from 1950 until 1971. Originally constructed as a C2-S-B1 type freighter, the vessel was laid down on October 23, 1941, by the Moore Dry Dock Company in Oakland, California, under a United States Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 183). She was launched on February 14, 1942, and sponsored by Mrs. Edward U. Read. The ship was delivered to her initial operators, the United Fruit Company, on March 25, 1943. Throughout World War II, the Blue Jacket was operated by the United Fruit Company, and later, in 1947, by the Black Diamond Steamship Corporation. After returning to the Maritime Commission in 1948, she was chartered by the U.S. Army. In 1950, she was acquired by the Navy and designated T-AF-51 as a refrigerator ship, primarily used to transport refrigerated stores. She was assigned to the MSTS Atlantic Area, where she played a vital role in logistical support, ferrying cargoes—mainly perishable supplies—between the United States and European ports during the Cold War era. The vessel's service concluded on August 19, 1970, when she was taken out of MSTS service and placed in lay-up in the James River, Virginia, under the custody of the Maritime Administration. She was transferred to permanent custody on September 1, 1971, and her name was struck from the Navy list later that year, on October 19. The Blue Jacket was sold to Andy International, Inc., of Houston, Texas, on March 1, 1973, and was subsequently scrapped. The Blue Jacket's service highlights her role in post-war logistics, supporting U.S. military and humanitarian efforts through her refrigerated cargo capabilities. Her operational history underscores the importance of auxiliary vessels in maintaining logistical supply chains during the mid-20th century.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.