ROBERT D. CONRAD (AGOR 3) Class

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USNS James M. Gilliss (AGOR 4) on 14 Dec 1962.
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Class: ROBERT D. CONRAD (AGOR 3)
Design: SCB 185
Displacement (tons): 1,200 light, 1,370 full
Dimensions (feet): 209' oa, 196' wl x 40' 3, 27' wl x 16' max nav, 15' lim.
Original armament: 4-5"/38
Later armaments: (19xx) 4-20mm
Complement: ###
Speed (kts.): ##.#
Propulsion (HP): #,###
Machinery: Diesel electric, 1 screw

Construction:

AGOR	Name	Ord/Acq	Builder	Keel	Launch	Comm/Svc
3	ROBERT D. CONRAD	26 May 1960	Gibbs/Jacksonville	19 Jan 1961	26 May 1962	29 Nov 1962
4	JAMES M. GILLISS	29 Nov 1960	Christy	31 May 1961	19 May 1962	5 Nov 1962
5	CHARLES H. DAVIS	29 Nov 1960	Christy	15 Jun 1961	30 Jun 1962	25 Jan 1963

Disposition:

AGOR	Name	T	Decomm/Cust	Strike	Disposal	Fate	MA Sale/Depart
3	ROBERT D. CONRAD	T	26 Jul 1989	4 Oct 1989	1 May 1999	MA/T	MASALE
4	JAMES M. GILLISS	T	1970	[None in NVR]	15 Jun 1983	Trf	--
5	CHARLES H. DAVIS	T	1970	16 Oct 1997	10 Aug 1970	Trf	--

Class Notes:
The large stack contained a small diesel exhaust funnel and a small 620 shp gas turbine engine that provided "quiet" power for speeds up to 6.5 knots during experiments in which the main propulsion diesel would be too noisy. A bow propeller pod could propel the ship at up to 4.5 knots in addition to providing precise maneuvering. In September 1969 three 208-ft oceanographic hulls, AGOR 4-5 and AGS 31, were selected by the Oceanographer of the Navy for deactivation and layup by MA as part of an AGOR cutback program. AGOR 5 was loaned to New Zealand on 10 Aug 1970 and AGOR 4 was transferred on 22 Nov 1970 to the University of Miami for further operation from Port Everglades, Fla.

Ship Notes:

AGOR	Name	MA	Notes
3	ROBERT D. CONRAD		FY 1960. Operated by Lamont Geological Observatory, Columbia University. To MA custody 26 Jul 1989. BU completed 27 Apr 2004.
4	JAMES M. GILLISS		FY 1960. Operated by University of Miami. To MA custody 18 Mar 1980. From MA 14 Jun 1983 and to Mexico as ALTAIR. Sold to Mexico 4 Dec 1996.
5	CHARLES H. DAVIS		FY 1961. [Reported stk 1 Nov 1969 before transfer.] To New Zealand as TUI. Struck 1997 for BU overseas. Returned to the USN 27 Aug 1998, scuttled 20 Feb 1999 off Tutukaka, New Zealand as fish reef.