USNS Thomas G. Thompson (T-AGOR-9)

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Career (USA)
Name:	USNS Thomas G. Thompson
Namesake:	Thomas Gordon Thompson
Builder:	Martinette Marine, Marinette, Wisconsin
Laid down:	12 September 1963
Launched:	18 July 1964
Sponsored by:	Mrs. Isabel Thompson, the widow of Professor Thompson
Acquired:	by the Navy, 1 August 1965, as R/V Thomas G. Thompson (AGOR-9)
In service:	on lease to the University of Washington, 21 September 1965
Out of service:	date not known
Renamed:	R/V Gosport (IX-517), 7 May 1997, a multi-purpose research vessel
Reclassified:	Unclassified Miscellaneous, 11 December 1989; R/V Pacific Escort (II) (IX-517) a general research (date unknown);
Struck:	27 February 2004
Fate:	sunk, 14 November 2004 as part of a NATO exercise
General characteristics
Type:	Robert D. Conrad-class oceanographic research ship
Tonnage:	1,200 tons
Tons burthen:	1,370 tons
Length:	209'
Beam:	40'
Draft:	16’
Propulsion:	diesel-electric, three propeller shafts, (low speed diesel engine driving cycloidal propellers, fwd & aft), 2,500shp
Speed:	12 knots
Complement:	14 civilian mariners; up to 30 scientific party
Armament:	none

For other ships of the same name, see USS Thomas G. Thompson.

USNS Thomas G. Thompson (T-AGOR-9) was a Robert D. Conrad-class oceanographic research ship acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1965. She performed oceanographic work for various educational institutions, under various names, including R/V Thomas G. Thompson (AGOR-9), R/V Thomas G. Thompson (IX-517), R/V Pacific Escort II (IX-517), and R/V Gosport (IX-517).

Built at Marinette, Wisconsin

Thomas G. Thompson (AGOR-9) was laid down on 12 September 1963 at Marinette, Wisconsin, by the Marinette Marine Corp.; launched on 18 July 1964; sponsored by Mrs. Isabel Thompson, the widow of Professor Thompson; and delivered to the Navy on 4 September 1965.

Serving the University of Washington

Specially designed for oceanographic research work, Thomas G. Thompson was transferred to the University of Washington, for service with that institution's oceanographic department, in a ceremony at the Boston Naval Shipyard on 21 September 1965. Manned by a civilian crew but under the technical control of the Oceanographer of the Navy, Thomas G. Thompson conducted oceanographic research, performing experiments supporting the national oceanographic programs of the United States into 1978.

Multiple names

• R/V Thomas G. Thompson (AGOR-9) was her name from 1965 to 1989. During this period she served the needs of the University of Washington.
• R/V Thomas G. Thompson (IX-517) was her name from 1989 to 1990.
• R/V Pacific Escort II (IX-517) from 1990 to 1997. As an unclassified miscellaneous she was made available for hire from the Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
• R/V Gosport (IX-517) from 1997 to out of final service and struck in 2004. As a multi-purpose research ship, she was available for hire from Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

See also

• United States Navy
• Oceanography

References

• This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
• NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - R/V Gosport (IX-517) – ex - R/V Pacific Escort II (IX-517) (1990 - 1997) - R/V Thomas G. Thompson (IX-517) (1989 - 1990) - R/V Thomas G. Thompson (AGOR-9) (1965 - 1989)
• Global Security description of R/V Gosport IX-519