USNS Sands (T-AGOR-6)

USS "Sands" (T-AGOR-6) a "Robert D. Conrad"-class oceanographic research ship that served the U.S. Navy from 1965 to 1973. During that period she provided valuable ocean-bottom information and underwater test data to the U.S. Navy and other U.S. agencies.

Built at Point Pleasant, West Virginia

The second ship to be so named by the Navy, "Sands" (AGOR-6) was laid down on 23 August 1962 by the Marietta Manufacturing Co., Point Pleasant, West Virginia; launched on 14 September 1963; sponsored by Miss Priscilla G. Sands; and accepted by the Navy and placed in service under Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) control on 2 February 1965, Capt. George W. Fladerer, Master.

Navy oceanographic service

Manned by a Civil Service crew, the United States Naval Ship "Sands" was operated in the Atlantic Ocean by the Military Sealift Command (formerly MSTS) for the Naval Oceanographic Office.

Until being placed out of service, in reserve, in April 1973, "Sands" performed oceanographic and marine geophysical research and conducted experiments in underwater sound propagation.

Inactivation and transfer to Brazil

In 1973, "Sands" was placed out of service. She was struck from the "Navy list" on an unknown date, and, on 5 December 1990, she was transferred to Brazil and was renamed "Almirante Camara" (H-41).

See also

* United States Navy

References

*
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/57/5706.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - T-AGOR-6 Sands]