THE NEW EMERGENCE (1960 - 1967) 



The concepts and guidelines developed by the NASCO report provided the basis for 

 long-range plans generated by the various Federal agencies. Of particular significance was the 

 Navy's TEN YEAR PROGRAM IN OCEANOGRAPHY (TENOC). The ten-year ship construction 

 program recommended by TENOC called for 20 research ships (including 12 for institutions), 9 

 oceanographic surveying ships, and 1 1 hydrographic surveying ships. This construction program 

 began in 1960 when funds were appropriated for the Navy's first new-construction vessel, the 

 208-foot, 1,370-ton oceanographic research ship R/V Robert D. Conrad (AGOR 3), which, when 

 completed in 1962, was to be operated by Lamont Geological Observatory. While the Bureau of 

 Ships was dusting off its earlier preliminary design studies for the Conrad, a coincidental design 

 effort was being undertaken by Woods Hole. With a grant provided by the National Science 

 Foundation, they undertook the design and construction of their own research vessel. In collabo- 

 ration with their design agent, M. Rosenblatt and Son, Inc., they completed in 1959 an extensive 

 study encompassing a series of research ship preliminary designs ranging in size from 400 to 3,000 

 tons. The ship which finally evolved was the 210-foot, 2,100-ton R/V Atlantis II, which was 

 completed in 1963. 



Generally speaking. Woods Hole's Atlantis II has proved to be a more viable platform than 

 the Navy's Conrad (AGOR 3) class of ships. Maneuverability of the Atlantis II is more effective 

 with the combination of twin screws and bow thruster than the AGOR 3's single screw and bow 

 thruster (the last two ships of the AGOR 3 class were also equipped with an active rudder). The 

 Atlantis Us accommodation for 25 scientists and laboratory space of approximately 2,500 square 

 feet is almost double that of the AGOR 3 Class ships. The Atlantis II also features an internal well, 

 bow observation chamber, a stern ramp, and an aloft observation tower (enclosed crow's nest). 

 Over a five year. (1960 - 1965), eleven ships of the AGOR 3 type (including the Conrad) were 

 funded. The disposition of these ships is as follows: 



TAGS 25 (USNSKellar) Naval Oceanographic Office 1969 



TAGS 31 (USNSAee) Naval Oceanographic Office 1968 



Two ships of the AGOR 3 type, the USNS Kellar (T-AGS 25) and USNS Lee (T-AGS 31 ), 

 were modified for hydrographic surveying. Basically, this surveying modification included the 

 addition of a 26-foot survey launch, multi-beam echo sounders, a side scanning sonar, a stabilized 

 gyro compass, and an active rudder. If an award for notoriety is ever considered, the poor Kellar 



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