GOPHER STATE

73 / 17,821gt She was built as the containership Export Leader for American Export

 Line and aquired by United States Military Sealift Command in 1988 and converted 

to a Gopher State Class Auxilairy Crane Ship with 2 twin 30 ton cranes and now has

 capacity for 710 teu.She is part of the Ready Reserve Force and is operated by

 Interocean American Shipping Corp.She had come from Varberg,Sweden and 

was landing her deepsea pilot at Brixham.I have seen her before boarding a pilot 5/2/94.

                                            Pictures taken from Berry Head 8/4/22

                                                      She entered a rain squall as she 

                                                              piloted and stayed in it