USNS Range Sentinel (T-AGM 22) Class

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USNS Range Sentinel (T-AGM 22) on 1 January 1985.
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Class: RANGE SENTINEL (T-AGM 22)
Design: SCB Project No. 731.69 conversion of VC2-S-AP5
Displacement (tons): 11,860 full
Dimensions (feet): 455' oa, 437' pp x 62' e/wl x 24' max nav
Armament: none
Accommodations: 96
Speed (kts.): 18
Propulsion (HP): 8,500
Machinery: Geared steam turbines, 2 boilers (465psi/750deg), 1 screw

Construction:

AGM	Name	Acq	Builder	Keel	Launch	Svc
22	RANGE SENTINEL	22 Oct 1969	Permanente Metals #2	18 May 1944	10 Jul 1944	14 Oct 1971

Disposition:

AGM	Name	T	Inact	Strike	Disposal	Fate	MA Sale
22	RANGE SENTINEL	T	9 Jul 1997	3 May 1999	28 Jul 2001	MA/T	19 Jul 2012/D

Class Notes:
The Navy informed MARAD on 16 April 1969 that the Navy's FY 1969 program included the conversion of a VC2-S-AP hull in the NDRF to a range instrumentation ship. The Navy had selected the CLEARFIELD (APA 142) in the James River Fleet and the SHERBURNE (APA 205) in the Suisun Bay Fleet, the final selection between the two to be based on the preference of the successful contractor. Approved characteristics for an operational test instrumentation ship, T-AGM(FBM), SCB Project No. 731.69, were promulgated on 25 April 1969 with a final change on 16 April 1970. On 21 October 1969 the Navy informed MARAD that as a result of the contract award to Northwest Marine Iron Works of Portland, Ore. (which probably occurred in mid-October), SHERBURNE had been selected and requested transfer of the ship. Title was transferred the next day from MA to MSTS at Suisun Bay. On 26 April 1971 SECNAV changed the classification and name of the ship from MCV 553 SHERBURNE (ex-APA 205) to T-AGM 22 RANGE SENTINEL. She was placed in service 21 Oct 1971 and arrived at Cape Canaveral 14 November 1971 to support the POSEIDON program. Later in her career she served as a flight test navigation support ship while VANGUARD (T-AG 194, ex T-AGM 19) served as a submarine navigation system test platform ship. RANGE SENTINEL was placed out of service on 12 June 1997, VANGUARD was deactivated in 1998, and WATERS (T-AGS 45) began operating in the fall of 1999, replacing both.

Ship Notes:

AGM	Name	MCV	Notes
22	RANGE SENTINEL	553	(ex-SHERBURNE, APA 205, compl. 18 Sep 1944). FY 1969. On list 16 Apr 1969. To MA custody 19 Sep 2000. Departed 19 Jun 2012 under domestic sale.