(AK‑271: dp. 3,886; l. 266'; b. 52'; d. 23'; s. 12 k.; cpl. 48; a. none; cl. Eltanin)
A first magnitude star in the Northern Hemisphere in the constellation Persei.
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Mirfak (AK‑271) was laid down 5 July 1956 under a Maritime Administration contract by Avondale Marine Ways, Inc., Avondale, La.; launched 5 August 1957; sponsored by Mrs. Frank Akers; and delivered to the Navy 30 December 1957. She was retransferred the same date to MSTS and placed in service as USNS Mirfak (T‑AK‑271).
From 1957 into 1969, Mirfak has carried supplies to our allies in South America and provides logistical support for American and Canadian bases in the North Atlantic and the Arctic. For the past 10 years, she has annually circumnavigated the South American subcontinent on a 3‑month cruise.
