RV Melville

R/V "Melville" – originally built as the USNS "Melville" (T-AGOR-14) -- is a research vessel operated by Scripps Institution of Oceanography for oceanographic research.

Built in Bay City, Michigan

The second ship to be so named by the Navy, "Melville" (AGOR 14) was laid down 12 July 1967 by Defoe Shipbuilding Co., Bay City, Michigan, launched 10 July 1968; sponsored by Mrs. Elford A. Cederberg; and was completed and delivered to the Navy 1 August 1969, when she was placed in service with the Military Sea Transportation Service as USNS "Melville" (T AGOR 14), a "Robert D. Conrad"-class oceanographic research ship and chartered to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography for operation.

Named for Arctic explorer

"Melville " was named for George Melville, a pioneer arctic explorer and Rear Admiral in the United States Navy, who was Chief of the Bureau of Steam Engineering from 1887 to 1903.

Operating personnel

A crew of 23 keeps the ship operational, and up to 38 scientists can be accommodated for the purposes of the scientific expedition.

Operational history

During a career now in its fourth decade, "Melville" has cruised over almost all the World's oceans in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. Modernized in the early 1990s, "Melville's" hull was lengthened, increasing her displacement to 2670 tons (full-load), and a new propulsion system was installed.

Oceanographic research history

A narrative of oceanographic research experiments and underwater studies performed aboard the "Melville" by students and scientists has not yet been provided.

ister ship

"Melville’s" sister ship is the R/V "Knorr".

Role in the movie “King Kong”

The "Melville" was used in the 1976 Movie King Kong starring Jessica Lange. It was used specifically because of its Hypoid propulsion drive (at that time), which allowed it to move sideways. This type of drive is used, on research vessels, for station keeping in the ocean over drill&coring sites.

See also

* United States Navy
* Oceanography

Reference

*
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/57/5714.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - T-AGOR-14 Melville]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-m/agor14.htm Various photos of USNS Melville (T-AGOR-14), 1969-____]

External links

* http://shipsked.ucsd.edu/ships/melville/
* [http://shipsked.ucsd.edu/general/mv_loc.html Melville's current location]