USNS Silas Bent (T-AGS-26)

USNS "Silas Bent" (T-AGS-26) was a "Silas Bent"-class hydrographic survey ship acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1964 and delivered to the Military Sealift Command in 1965. Silas Bent spent her career in the Pacific Ocean performing surveys and other oceanographic work.

Constructed in Lorain, Ohio

"Silas Bent" (AGS-26), an oceanographic survey ship, was laid down in March 1964 by the American Shipbuilding Co. at Lorain, Ohio; launched on 16 May 1964; sponsored by Miss Nancy M. McKinley and Mrs. Jeffrey R. Grandy; and was delivered to the Military Sea Transportation Service (now the Military Sealift Command) in July 1965.

Oceanographic survey operations

"Silas Bent" -- the first of a new class of oceanographic survey ships -- was manned by a Civil Service crew and operated by the Military Sealift Command as an integrated system for the gathering of vital oceanographic data in both underway and on-station modes. The data she collected was recorded in a form immediately usable by computers. She was under the technical control of the Naval Oceanographic Office in Suitland, Maryland. The oceanographic survey ship completed her shakedown cruise during the winter of 1965 and 1966. Since that time, she had been conducting oceanographic research primarily in the northern Pacific, between Alaska and Japan. In May 1968, after only six days on station, she and scientists from the Naval Oceanographic Office located an ammunition-laden Liberty ship sunk in the North Pacific.

In 1972, she visited Japan, for the 2nd annual Ocean Development Conference held at Tokyo. During the conference, there were numerous tours and briefings held on "Silas Bent" describing, for the ocean scientists of the world, her capabilities for measuring bathymetric depth, magnetic intensity, gravity, surface temperature, seismic reflection, sound velocity, ambient light, and salinity.

As of mid-September 1974, "Silas Bent" engaged in special operations in the area of Kodiak, Alaska.

Decommissioning and dispositioning

"Silas Bent" was decommissioned at an unknown date, and was struck from the Navy list on 28 October 1999. On 29 September 1999 she was transferred to the Turkish Navy. Her subsequent fate is not known.

Honors and awards

Qualified "Silas Bent" personnel were eligible for the following:
* Navy Battle "E" Ribbon
* National Defense Service Medal

ee also

* United States Navy
* Oceanography

References

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* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/10/1026.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - T-AGS-26 Silas Bent]