Historical Narrative

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Cape Bover is a break-bulk cargo ship, built for the Lykes Brothers Steam Ship Company in 1967 as Frederick Lykes. 

The Maritime Administration purchased the vessel in 1989 and renamed it Cape Bover.  Part of the Ready Reserve Force (RRF), it was anchored in the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet until 1990, when the Maritime Administration shifted it to a lay berth at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco. While part of the RRF, Cape Bover engaged in cargo operations duringOperation DESERT STORM. 

In February 2004, the vessel was downgraded to the National Defense Reserve Fleet retention program where it is currently in logistic support status as a source of major equipment spares for the training ship Kennedy (ex-Cape Bon).  Its three sister ships, the Cape Breton,  Cape Borda, and Cape Blanco, are in a non-retention status.

Vessel Name History

1967 - 1985: Frederick Lykes
1985 - present: Cape Bover

Photo Captions

1.) Cape Bover, with tugs.  MARAD file photo.
2.) Cape Bover, dockside.  MARAD file photo.
3.) Cape Bover, dockside.  MARAD file photo.
4.) Cape Bover, in the Suisun Bay Reserve fleet, bow view.  MARAD file photo.
5.) Cape Bover, in the Suisun Bay Reserve fleet, stern view.  MARAD file photo.

Vessel Name History

CAPE BOVER

FREDERICK LYKES