EFFECTIVENESS OF THE COMMITTEE ON OCEANOGRAPHY 95 



was extensively damaged during a recent cruise in the northern Bering Sea and 

 the ship is now awaiting major repairs. Operational qualities are poor. The 

 narrow beam, comparatively shoal draft, and shape of the hull section cause the 

 ship to be unstable under ordinary weather conditions and boat handling is 

 always difficult and often impossible. The main deck is awash even in moderate 

 seas. Steering is poor; the ship has twin screws and a single rudder which is 

 ineffective at low speeds. Below 6 knots the rudder is useless for steering and 

 reliance must be had on steering with the engines. Quarters are inadequate and 

 no satisfactory rearrangement is possible. 



(b) It is concluded that ships of this class cannot be successfully converted to 

 hydrographic surveying ships of even moderate efficiency. Because of the 

 unsatisfactory operating qualities, no detailed estimate of the cost of an attempted 

 conversion have been made. Further details are contained in a report from 

 Captain Johnson attached hereto as appendix D. 



2. MSF type D 



(a) No ships of this class are in active service. U.S.S. Cruise (MSF 215), in 

 reserve status at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, was examined on January 21, 

 1958 by Rear Adm. H. A. Karo and Comdr. F. J. Bryant. Ships of this class 

 have a raised focsle deck extending about two-thirds the length of the hull and 

 an armored superstructure. Propulsion is principally twin-screw geared diesel 

 although some have other types of diesel drive. Constructed as antimagnetic 

 minesweepers, this class is fitted with special service generators and heavy 

 magnetic coils which would require extensive removals. The propulsion machin- 

 ery is divided between two engine rooms. Steering is manual, electric assisted, 

 by cables. The anchor windlass has a single wildcat and capstan so that only 

 one anchor can be handled. Crew quarters are on the second deck and could be 

 made reasonably adequate by extensive rearrangement at considerable expense, 

 officers quarters are poor and cannot be much improved. Heating and ventilation 

 systems and evaporator and fresh water tankage are inadequate. Insulation of 

 the shell plating throughout will be required for habitability. The hull structure 

 and shell plating are excessively light and will require extensive strengthening. 

 Shell plating is principally 10.2-pound plate and frames are light bulb angles. 



(6) It is concluded that ships of this class can be converted to moderately 

 successful hydrographic surveying ships though at excessive cost. The efficiency 

 of the converted ship would be approximately 60 percent of that of a similar 

 ship designed and constructed specifically for hydrographic surveying. The 

 minimum cost of conversion is estimated as $2,078,000. Detailed estimates of 

 conversion costs are contained in appendix A. 



(c) Major features of the conversion required are as follows: 



(1) Strengthen hull by installation of intermediate frames, web frames, 

 and doubler plating in way of shell. 



(2) Extend main deckhouse aft by 12 feet 6 inches to provide CPO 

 quarters. 



(3) Extend deckhouse on superstructure deck forward by 7 feet to provide 

 space for commanding officer quarters and plotting room and to permit 

 extension of bridge deck area. 



(4) Cut away armored superstructure and rebuild, preferably in aluminum, 

 to compensate for increased topside weight of launches and davits. 



(5) Extend bridge deck area forward and aft to provide a radioroom, 

 chartroom, and adequate working space on bridge. The existing bridge is 

 a steering station only. 



(6) Install davits on superstructure deck to handle 4 launches, 26 to 30 

 feet in length. 



(7) Revise officers quarters to provide accommodations for seven officers. 



(8) Revise crew accommodations to provide quarters and sanitary facili- 

 ties for a crew of 68 men, the minimum required for continuous operation. 



(9) Revise heating, ventilation, lighting, and sanitary systems to suit 

 the new arrangements. 



(10) Renew propulsion engines, ships service generators, heating boiler, 

 supply and exhaust fans, evaporator, and auxiliary machinery. 



(11) Insulate shell plating in way of accommodations. 



(12) Provide complete outfit and equipment. 



8. A TA class 



(a) U.S.S. Accokeek, ATA-181, was examined at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard 

 on January 22, 1958 by Rear Adm. H. A. Karo and Comdr. F. J. Bryant. Ships 

 of this class are auxiliary ocean tugs with single screw diesel electric propulsion. 



