USNS Eltanin (T-AK 270) Class: Photographs

USNS Eltanin (T-AK 270)

The first of three iceworthy small cargo ships ready for a side launch on 16 January 1957 at Avondale Marine Ways, just upriver from New Orleans. Her bow form was optimized for travel through ice, her hull was reinforced to withstand the pressure of concentrated ice, and her twin screws and rudder were also ice strengthened. Note the two cargo holds amidships.

Photo No. Unknown
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)

USNS Mirfak (T-AK 271)

Photographed near New Orleans, probably on trials in 1957.

Photo No. Unknown
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)

USNS Eltanin (T-AK 270)

Probably photographed in December 1959. On top of the foremast is an ice conning station, where control of the ship was transferred from the pilot house while navigating through ice covered seas. The smaller enclosed station on the mainmast was probably for a lookout.

Photo No. Unknown
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)

USNS Mirfak (T-AK 271)

An undated photo showing the arrangement of these small cargo ships as completed.

Photo No. Unknown
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)

USNS Mirfak (T-AK 271)

The only one of her class not converted to a research ship, Mirfak remained in service as a cargo ship until inactivated in 1979.

Photo No. Unknown
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)

USNS Eltanin (T-AK 270)

Visiting Washington, D.C. on 24 September 1962 during a shakedown cruise after conversion to an Antarctic "floating research laboratory" for a year-long expedition, during which, based at Valparaiso, Chile, she carried scientists and technicians from twelve universities and government research facilities under the direction of the National Science Foundation. She was reclassified T-AGOR 8 two months later in November 1962.

Photo No. USN 711136
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)

USNS Eltanin (T-AGOR 8)

Underway in San Francisco Bay, in a photo backstamped by MSTS Pacific. On top of the ice conning station on the foremast is a SPS-28A radar that was used for meterology studies conducted by U.S. Weather Bureau personnel during the ship's 1962-63 Antarctic expedition. Behind the foremast is a large loop antenna used by a Stanford University team to measure the characteristics of Very Low Frequency (VLF) radio noise and the changes in VLF emissions with respect to geomagnetic latitude.

Photo No. Unknown
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)

USNS Mizar (T-AGOR 11)

After her 1964-65 conversion for operation by the Naval Research Laboratory. The structure amidships that displaced the original mainmast covered a moon pool through which a submersible remotely operated vehicle was lowered to make deep submergence dives. This photo was received in Washington, D.C., in October 1970.

Photo No. NH 97574 (and USN 1145705)
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command

USNS Mizar (T-AGOR 11)

Photographed during the 1980s after her 1975 transfer from NRL to the Naval Electronic Systems Command (NAVELEX) for use in Project CAESAR (the installation of SOSUS). The extensive modifications included the removal of her Arctic foremast. She was towed to the breakers in this configuration in 2005.

Photo No. NH 97576
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command

Ex-Argentine Islas Orcadas (Q 9), ex USNS Eltanin (T-AGOR 8)

According to the official caption this photo was taken by [the late] Navy photographer Don S. Montgomery during a harbor survey in Norfolk, Va., on 27 April 1987. The site is a pier directly across the Elizabeth River from the hammerhead crane at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard near an address associated with Port City Transportation and Marine Oil Service. (The ornate building is at 1529 S. Main St., Norfolk.) Despite the caption, the submarine, undoubtedly ex-USS Clamagore (SS 343), is rigged with an emergency anchor on a ramp to starboard and a black towing shape fixed above the sail for a tow that probably occurred in 1981 when she was taken to Patriots Point, S.C. to become a museum ship. Ex Islas Orcadas, which was returned to U.S. custody in 1979, is still in her Argentine colors. The yard tug is of the same type as Hoga (YTB 146) of Pearl Harbor fame but is a different vessel.

Photo No. DN-ST-87-07732
Source: U.S. National Archives (RG 330)

USNS Eltanin (T-AK 270) The first of three iceworthy small cargo ships ready for a side launch on 16 January 1957 at Avondale Marine Ways, just upriver from New Orleans. Her bow form was optimized for travel through ice, her hull was reinforced to withstand the pressure of concentrated ice, and her twin screws and rudder were also ice strengthened. Note the two cargo holds amidships. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)
USNS Mirfak (T-AK 271) Photographed near New Orleans, probably on trials in 1957. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)
USNS Eltanin (T-AK 270) Probably photographed in December 1959. On top of the foremast is an ice conning station, where control of the ship was transferred from the pilot house while navigating through ice covered seas. The smaller enclosed station on the mainmast was probably for a lookout. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)
USNS Mirfak (T-AK 271) An undated photo showing the arrangement of these small cargo ships as completed. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)
USNS Mirfak (T-AK 271) The only one of her class not converted to a research ship, Mirfak remained in service as a cargo ship until inactivated in 1979. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)
USNS Eltanin (T-AK 270) Visiting Washington, D.C. on 24 September 1962 during a shakedown cruise after conversion to an Antarctic "floating research laboratory" for a year-long expedition, during which, based at Valparaiso, Chile, she carried scientists and technicians from twelve universities and government research facilities under the direction of the National Science Foundation. She was reclassified T-AGOR 8 two months later in November 1962. Photo No. USN 711136 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)
USNS Eltanin (T-AGOR 8) Underway in San Francisco Bay, in a photo backstamped by MSTS Pacific. On top of the ice conning station on the foremast is a SPS-28A radar that was used for meterology studies conducted by U.S. Weather Bureau personnel during the ship's 1962-63 Antarctic expedition. Behind the foremast is a large loop antenna used by a Stanford University team to measure the characteristics of Very Low Frequency (VLF) radio noise and the changes in VLF emissions with respect to geomagnetic latitude. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)
USNS Mizar (T-AGOR 11) After her 1964-65 conversion for operation by the Naval Research Laboratory. The structure amidships that displaced the original mainmast covered a moon pool through which a submersible remotely operated vehicle was lowered to make deep submergence dives. This photo was received in Washington, D.C., in October 1970. Photo No. NH 97574 (and USN 1145705) Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command
USNS Mizar (T-AGOR 11) Photographed during the 1980s after her 1975 transfer from NRL to the Naval Electronic Systems Command (NAVELEX) for use in Project CAESAR (the installation of SOSUS). The extensive modifications included the removal of her Arctic foremast. She was towed to the breakers in this configuration in 2005. Photo No. NH 97576 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command
Ex-Argentine Islas Orcadas (Q 9), ex USNS Eltanin (T-AGOR 8) According to the official caption this photo was taken by [the late] Navy photographer Don S. Montgomery during a harbor survey in Norfolk, Va., on 27 April 1987. The site is a pier directly across the Elizabeth River from the hammerhead crane at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard near an address associated with Port City Transportation and Marine Oil Service. (The ornate building is at 1529 S. Main St., Norfolk.) Despite the caption, the submarine, undoubtedly ex-USS Clamagore (SS 343), is rigged with an emergency anchor on a ramp to starboard and a black towing shape fixed above the sail for a tow that probably occurred in 1981 when she was taken to Patriots Point, S.C. to become a museum ship. Ex Islas Orcadas, which was returned to U.S. custody in 1979, is still in her Argentine colors. The yard tug is of the same type as Hoga (YTB 146) of Pearl Harbor fame but is a different vessel. Photo No. DN-ST-87-07732 Source: U.S. National Archives (RG 330)