The Gopher State-class crane ships of the United States Navy are a class of auxiliary vessels. The lead ship of the class is named in honor of the state of Minnesota. All three vessels of the class were former Sea Witch-class container ships built at the Bath Iron Works for American Export Lines. After AEL was acquired by Farrell Lines in 1978, the ships sailed for a few years before being returned to the Maritime Administration (MARAD). They were converted to naval service as crane ships in the mid-1980s.