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T-AGOR 17 Chain

In 1957, the Soviets shocked the world with the launch of Sputnik and its first nuclear-powered submarine. MSTS responded with an innocuously-named ship, USNS Chain, which signaled the birth of modern oceanographic surveys in support of the Navy's nuclear submarine program. Chain, and the ships that followed, were instrumental in providing an understanding of the three-dimensional battle picture of the world's oceans. Chain was struck from the Naval Register on 30 December 1977 and scrapped in June 1979. Today, USNS John McDonnell and ships of the Pathfinder-class perform this function and many others across the globe.

What does an oceanographic research ship do? In very broad and general terms, it studies: The currents of the ocean, temperatures, the development of instruments and techniques, contours, sediments and structure of the bottom, heat flow, sound transmission and speed, noises, biological activities and specimens, radio activity, and water samples for different kinds of chemicals.

In 1959 three additional ships were added to the oceanographic fleet. USNS Josiah Willard Gibbs, an oceanographic research ship (AGOR l), will serve as the principal research ship of Columbia University. USNS Chain, (ARS 20) converted from the former Navy salvage ship of the same name, was used by Woods Hole. Another salvage ship was scheduled for alteration this year and will be used by oceanographers on the West Coast. Chain was 210 feet long, has a displacement of 1800 tons and a maximum speed of 14 knots. Capable of working in the North Atlantic in winter, Chain had accommodations for a crew of 40, and 28 scientists. She carried among her oceanographic equipment: a large thermistor winch; three hydrographic winches with 20,000 feet of wire each; one deep-sea winch with 30,000 feet of wire; three small winches; and four laboratories. MSTS had the operational responsibilities for the ship.

On 17 November 1958 USNS Chain (T AGOR 17), the first of the Navy's new oceanographic research ships, was placed in service and served with the Military Sea Transportation Service. The ship embarked 28 oceanographers and scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute under the direction of the Office of Naval Research. Commanded by Captain Wallace Olivey, the USNS Chain became the first of a fleet of ships operated by MSTS and MSC for unique missions and services and originally known as the Special Projects Branch, and later redesignated Special Missions. She was assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) in 1958, and reclassified Oceanographic Research Ship USNS Chain (T-AGOR-17). She was operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. USS Chain (ARS-20/T-AGOR-17) was a Diver-class rescue and salvage ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy during World War II. Her task was to come to the aid of stricken vessels.

Chain (ARS 20) was launched 3 June 1943 by Basalt Rock Company in Napa, California; sponsored by Mrs. P. F. Roach; and commissioned 31 March 1944, Lieutenant Commander F. J. George, USNR, in command. Chain (ARS 20) was launched 3 June 1943 by Basalt Rock Co., Napa, Calif.; sponsored by Mrs. P. F. Roach; and commissioned 31 March 1944, Lieutenant Commander F. J. George, USNR, in command. Chain sailed from San Diego 14 May 1944, bound for the Panama Canal, and Trinidad, which she reached 2 June. She towed barge YF-324 to Recife, Brazil, where on 2 July she joined the 4th Fleet for operations as tug and salvage ship from Recife and Bahia, Brazil, until 18 June 1945, when she cleared Recife for Norfolk. Her essential support played an important, if humble, part in enabling the 4th Fleet to carry out its mission of protecting the South Atlantic. After overhaul and training at Norfolk, Chain cleared for Key West 22 September, where she made rendezvous with three Italian submarines. Sailing east, her little convoy was enlarged by four additional Italian submarines at Bermuda, and she arrived at Taranto, Italy, with her charges 3 November. Chain returned by way of Palermo, Sicily, where she took barge YF-445 in tow, to Charleston, S.C. arriving 31 December. Chain operated along the east coast, towing barges and decommissioned ships until she grounded in Block Island Sound 29 March 1946. Quickly floated by Coast Guard Cutter Dix, Chain's bottom was heavily damaged, and from 3 April until 25 June, she was repaired at New London, Conn. She left New London astern 25 June, steaming to Orange, Tex., where she was decommissioned and placed in reserve 9 November 1946.