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NAVOCEANO The Oceanographic Office and her Vessels AGS AGOR AGOS


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USNS BARTLETT (T-AGOR-13)

Robert D. Conrad class oceanographic research ship acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1969, in service until 1993

 

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Bartlett was placed in service, but the record of her history is not summarized by Navy (i.e. Cold War snooper - You don't have a "need to know"). The ship is mentioned in oceanographic reports and literature. For example, the ship's use in planting two acoustic sources onto the top of Cobb Seamount between 25 and 30 July 1973 for an experiment is covered in a report of the Naval Research Laboratory. In 1990 the ship spent some time in the North West Atlantic Ocean according to a data set of temperature and salinity measurements collected using CTD/XBT. Bartlett was one of two AGOR ships, the other was De Steiguer (T-AGOR 12), assigned as pool vessels for west coast Naval laboratory use according to a 1970 report. Bartlett and De Steiguer were assigned to the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office for operations

 

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USNS BARTLETT (T-AGOR-13) Robert D. Conrad class oceanographic research ship acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1969, in service until 1993

 

T-AGOR-13 USNS BARTLETT 002.jpg

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USNS DE STEIGUER (T-AGOR-12)

Robert D Conrad Oceanographic Research Ship placed in service 1966

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De Steiguer was a U.S. Navy oceanographic research ship assigned to support Naval laboratories. De Steiguer was one of two AGOR ships, the other was Bartlett (T-AGOR 13), assigned as pool vessels for west coast Naval laboratory use according to a 1970 report. Bartlett and De Steiguer were assigned to the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) for operations. De Stieguer was placed in service but the record of her history is not summarized by the Navy (i.e. Cold War snooper - You don't have a "need to know"). The ship is mentioned in oceanographic reports and literature

 

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On 2 November 1992 De Steiguer was approved under the terms of the Security Assistance Program for a transfer to Tunisia, where she now serves the Tunisian Navy as Salammbo (A-701).

 

T-AGOR-12 USNS DE STEIGUER 003.jpg

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USNS LYNCH (T-AGOR-7)

Robert D. Conrad class Oceanographic Research ship in service 1965 to 1994. Science For Peace - Military Sealift Command.

Built in West Virginia and delivered to the MSTS in 1965

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Following MSTS acceptance, Lynch underwent shakedown training in the Gulf of Mexico. In November 1965 she proceeded to New London, Connecticut, to commence oceanographic research operations. The 15 scientists embarked, working with the latest oceanographic equipment, analyzed ocean currents, the effects of salinity and temperature on sonic transmission, and the effects of pressure on various materials. 
 
In early 1966, AGOR-7 commenced research operations using the SPAR (Seagoing Platform for Acoustic Research) in the western Atlantic Ocean. The SPAR is 355 feet long and when partially flooded, acts as a buoy measuring and retransmitting acoustic data to the research ship.  Lynch continued research for the Naval Oceanographic Office, operating off the eastern seaboard from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to the Virgin Islands.

 

T-AGOR-7 USNS LYNCH MSC 002.jpg

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SPAR (Seagoing Platform for Acoustic Research) ..... Research? Sssssh! We're hunting Commie Subs.....

 

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In early 1966, USNS LYNCH (AGOR-7) commenced research operations using the SPAR (Seagoing Platform for Acoustic Research) in the western Atlantic Ocean. The SPAR is 355 feet long and when partially flooded, acts as a buoy measuring and retransmitting acoustic data to the research ship

 

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Photo: Research ship USNS LYNCH (T-AGOR-7) departs U.S. Naval Station, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, towing the Seagoing Platform for Acoustic Research (SPAR)

 

News Article: Don Talley's SPAR helped track Soviet subs http://www.clintoncountyleader.com/news/article_5076b03a-c586-11e7-93da-3bbd9c0426c4.html

 

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On 2/28/2018 at 1:55 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

 

USS TANNER (AGS-15) Survey Ship In service 1945 to 1969 - The first of two Survey ships named in honor of U.S. Navy captain and oceanographer Zera Luther Tanner https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zera_Luther_Tanner The other being USNS TANNER (T-AGS-40)

 

Patch circa mid 1950's - Pamina was renamed Tanner in honor of U.S. Navy captain and oceanographer Zera Luther Tanner. After sea trials during November and December, Tanner conducted hydrographic survey operations off the east coast of Mexico. She continued similar activities in the same area, off Labrador, off Trinidad and off Venezuela for the next four years. In January 1951, she began survey work in the Bahamas in connection with a guided missile testing range, work which she continued with only occasional missions elsewhere until the summer of 1952. At that time she returned northward and after a period in New York Naval Shipyard proceeded to northwest Greenland for extensive priority survey work. She concluded the season with a survey of a small island in the Canadian Arctic where a harbor was named "Tanner Bay" in her honor. From 1954 to 1958, Tanner operated primarily off the southern coast of Turkey with 27,255 miles steamed during 139 days in the survey area in the spring and summer of 1956. Again in the Bahamas in 1959, she became part of the Persian Gulf Survey Unit later that year. After extensive work in the Near East, she conducted research in the Barents Sea in 1963, in the deep dive area off Norfolk in 1964, and in the northern Aegean Sea 15 November 1965 to 15 March 1966. Tanner deployed 19 October from Pearl Harbor for survey operations in the South China Sea off the Mekong Delta coast of South Vietnam. She returned to the coast of South Vietnam and to the Gulf of Thailand in 1967 and 1968.

 
Following survey operations in the Western Pacific early in 1969 and with long and distinguished service to her credit, Tanner began her decommissioning process 14 July. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register 1 August and transferred to the Maritime Administration for disposal.
 
Pamina/Tanner received one battle star for World War II service and two campaign stars for Vietnam service

 

 

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Different Version - KNOWLEDGE OF THE SEA - Vietnam mapping survey WESTPAC cruise 1960's

 

USS TANNER (AGS-15) Survey Ship In service 1945 to 1969 - The first of two Survey ships named in honor of U.S. Navy captain and oceanographer Zera Luther Tanner, The other being USNS TANNER (T-AGS-40)

 

AGS 15 USS TANNER 004.jpg

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USS PURSUIT (AGS-17) Converted Auk class minesweeper (AM-108) In service from 1943-1960. PURSUIT earned 8 battle stars for World War II service (as AM-108)

 

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Recommissioned 15 February 1950, Pursuit left Texas and proceeded off Labrador and Greenland as part of Hydrographic Survey Group 2. For the next three years she spent the winter survey season operating in the Caribbean, and the summer months in the northern latitudes off Labrador and Greenland. Reclassified AGS–17, 15 August 1951, Pursuit continued that employment schedule until mid-1954 when she set course for İskenderun, Turkey, 6 October, returning to Norfolk, Virginia, 23 March 1955. On 15 July she was underway for a survey and resupply mission along the Arctic "DEW Line". Having sounded previously uncharted waters both above and below the Arctic Circle, she returned to the east coast, at New York, 10 October.
 
During 1956, 1957, and 1958 Pursuit again conducted hydrographic and oceanographic surveys off the coast of Turkey. On her return she resumed surveys in the Caribbean. Reassigned to the Pacific in 1960, Pursuit departed New York on 15 February for Pearl Harbor, arriving 14 April. She operated in Hawaiian waters until May when she sailed for Long Beach, California. Mooring there 9 May, she began inactivation and decommissioned 30 June 1960. Her name was struck from the Navy List on 1 July 1960.

 

 

Gemsco 1950's

AGS-17 USS PURSUIT Gemsco 001.jpg

 

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I've only seen the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution emblem used by the Alvin. The 'Alvin' patches I've seen were from their gift shop sold to visitors.

 

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I've only seen the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution emblem used by the Alvin. The 'Alvin' patches I've seen were from their gift shop sold to visitors.

 

Thanks SS.

 

I have a Navy medal group to one of Alvin's pilots.

 

 

 

Wharf

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USS ASSURANCE (AG-521) ex-Ability class minesweeper (MSO-521) converted to ocean surveillance tasks.  Her minesweeping gear and armaments were removed in 1973 and she was remanned with Ocean System Technicians whose primary responsibility was analyzing acoustic signals in search of enemy threats to the Sixth & Second Fleets.  Decommissioned in 1977

 

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European made patch (probably by Silvio Polidor, Naples, Italy) Circa 1973 to 1977

 

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As Minesweeper (MSO-521) 1958 to 1972

 

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USS REQUISITE (AGS-18) 1951 to 1964.  Converted Auk class minesweeper (AM-109) 1943 to 1950

 

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On 10/19/2015 at 1:13 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

USS SERRANO (AGS-24) ex-ATF-112 - Charting for the Future

 

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And then there's the USS SERRANO (AGS-24). She was a Fleet Tug (ATF-112), a WWII and China occupation vet decommissioned in 1950. While her Salvage sister's were commissioned for Korean combat service, she sat out the 1950's but was then specifically recommissioned in 1960 as a shallow water survey ship to remap the Pacific waters. Unlike the other AGS types which were much larger and dedicated to scientific endeavors, SERRANO still had her Fleet Tug armament, 3" gun, 40 mm's, 20 mm's, .50 cals and small arms. Perfect for an Indochina holiday cruise. She spent many a day cruising the waterways of Vietnam from Da Nang to Vung Tau to Hue peacefully surveying the coastlines and rivers along with those of disputed Korean, Chinese and Taiwanese territories. She was awarded six Vietnam campaign stars and decommissioned in 1970 after a job well done.

 

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USS SERANO (AGS-24) ex-ATF-112 Zippo slim line chrome lighter dated 1968 when she was surveying the Mekong Delta in Vietnam

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Charting for the Future (and the Brown Water Navy)

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1967 Full size Zippo lighter, USS SERRANO

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USS SERRANO steaming off of Oahu

 

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USS SERRANO Vietnam Cruise book 1967

 

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Great thread! All very interesting. I've enjoyed it quite a bit and learned a lot. I read a little about some of these type ships in the Solomon, New Guinea and South Pacific campaigns. Good to give some attention to a sadly neglected class of ships and sailors. 

Mikie

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On 9/11/2015 at 8:15 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

Not the fictitious 'Sand Pebble'.....

 

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USS SAN PABLO (AGS-30) ex-AVP-30 Barnegat class Seaplane Tender "Black Cats"

Convereted to hydrographic survey ship in 1948. In service until 1969

1950's 6" round patch

 

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...and another USS SAN PABLO (AGS-30) DATA FOR DEFENSE 5 1/2" Vietnam Era

 

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Here's the UIM for the San Pablo. It has to date from her time as a survey ship. They weren't in use when she was a seaplane tender and they converted her in about 1948.

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Silas Bent class survey ship USNS ELISHA KENT KANE (T-AGS-27) In service 1967 to 2001

 

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Builders Coin 1967

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Silas Bent class survey ship USNS ELISHA KENT KANE (T-AGS-27) In service 1967 to 2001

Commissioning package 1967

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Hydrographic Office World Chart

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Civil Service Commissioning Officers

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Bilingual booklet (English-French) prepared for Expo '67 Montreal where she was first shown to the Oceanographic community

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Elisha Kent Kane was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 3 February 1820. Though weakened by rheumatic fever as a youth, he was educated as a physician at the University of Pennsylvania and, in July 1843, was appointed an Assistant Surgeon in the United States Navy. In 1844, prior to taking up his duties, Kane sailed to China as part of a U.S. diplomatic mission. His later Navy assignments involved cruises off Africa, in the Mediterranean Sea and off South America. In 1847 he undertook a daring courier mission to Mexico City, traveling through hostile territory, and surviving severe battle wounds.
In 1850-1851, Kane was surgeon and official historian for the DeHaven expedition, sent to the Canadian Arctic in the brigs Advance and Rescue to look for possible survivors of Sir John Franklin's exploring party. A second expedition sailed in the Advance in late May 1853, with the same object and with Kane as leader. Frozen in between Greenland and Canada, Kane and his men endured more than two years of hardship and an arduous journey over ice and open water to Upernavik, Greenland. Hailed as a hero upon his return to the U.S., Kane undertook a program of writing and lectures. After his health failed during a trip to England in the Fall of 1856, he went to Cuba in search of recovery. However his condition became worse and Elisha Kent Kane died in Havana on 16 February 1857.  US Navy Photo # NH 59607 Assistant Surgeon Elisha Kent Kane, USN (1820-1857) Engraving by T. Pillsbrown, after an 1850s daguerreotype by Brady U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph

 

USNS ELISHA KENT KANE (T-AGS-27)

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Salvage Sailor

kk.jpg.3b4c785ae33a21adcfa9a3e3ec305e70.jpg

 

USNS EFFECTIVE (T-AGOS-21}

Victorious class ocean surveillance ship acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1993 and assigned to the Navy's Special Mission Program

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Philippine made

 

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