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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USNS S. P. Lee (T-AG-192)
ex
USNS S.P. Lee (T-AGS-31) (1968 - 1973)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Delta - Xray - Alpha
NDXA

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
National Defense Service Medal

USNS S.P. Lee (T-AG-192) was transferred to Mexico

Kellar Class Hydrographic Survey Ship:

Laid down, 27 June 1966, at Defoe Shipbuilding Co., Bay City, MI.

Launched, 19 October 1967

Delivered to the Navy, 2 December 1968

In service with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) as USNS S. P. Lee (T-AGS-31)

Ready reserve status, 7 April 1972

Operational status, 15 August 1972

Ready reserve status, 29 January 1973

Redesignated Miscellaneous Auxiliary (T-AG-192), 29 January 1973

Transferred to the Geological Survey, Dept of Interior, 27 February 1974

Returned to the US Navy, date unknown

Struck from the Naval Register, 1 October 1992

Transferred to Mexico, 7 December 1992 under the Security Assistance Program, renamed and commissioned into the Mexican Navy as ARM Antares (BI-04)

Current Disposition, active

Specifications:
Displacement 1,297 t.
Length 208' 10"
Beam 39'
Draft 14' 2"
Speed 12 kts,
Complement 41
Armament none
Propulsion diesel

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
USNS S.P. Lee (T-AGS-31)
	115k	Namesake Samuel Phillips Lee was born in Fairfax County, Virginia, on 13 February 1812. He was appointed a Midshipman in the U.S. Navy in November 1825 and subsequently saw extensive service at sea, including combat action during the Mexican War and exploration, surveying and oceanographic duty. At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, he was captain of the sloop of war Vandalia in the East Indies, sailing her home on his own initiative to join the blockade of the Southern coast. Commander Lee commanded the new steam sloop USS Oneida during the New Orleans campaign and subsequent operations on the Mississippi River in the first half of 1862. In September 1862, S.P. Lee was placed in command of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron with the rank of Acting Rear Admiral. He led this force for over two years, during which it was responsible for the blockade of the North Carolina coast and operations on North Carolina and Virginia inland waters, all areas of very active combat between Union and Confederate forces. Acting Rear Admiral Lee transferred to the command of the Mississippi Squadron in October 1864 and led it to the end of the Civil War in 1865. Reverting to his permanent rank of Captain after the Civil War, Lee had extensive service in the Washington, D.C., area. He was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1870 and retired from active service in February 1873. Rear Admiral Samuel Phillips Lee died at Silver Spring, Maryland, on 7 June 1897. US Navy photo # NH 53113 Rear Admiral Samuel Phillips Lee, USN. Photographed circa 1864-65. From the collections of the US Naval Historical Center	Bill Gonyo
	132k	DeFoe Shipbuilding Co. identification photograph of S.P. Lee (T-AGS-31). broadside view, 30 October 1968	Defoe Shipbuilding Co. web site
	278k	*USNS S.P. Lee* (T-AGS-31)** under way, date and location unknown.	William Zarkas, Retired MSC Boatswain President, MSC Retiree Association
	63k	*USNS S.P. Lee* (T-AGS-31)** under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
	169k	*USNS S.P. Lee* (T-AGS-31)** under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
USNS S.P. Lee (T-AG-192)
	70k	*USNS S.P. Lee* (T-AG-192)** under way, circa 1970s, location unknown. Photo by A&J Pavia	Robert Hurst
	254k	*USNS S.P. Lee* (T-AG-192)** at her berth in July 1988 at the far North end of Mare Island as pictured in the July 1988 edition of the yard's newspaper "Grapevine." US Navy photo	Darryl Baker
	259k	*USNS S.P. Lee* (T-AG-192)** at her berth at Mare Island, December 7, 1992, with the official party during her transfer to the Mexican Navy. From left to right: Rear Admiral Francisco Parra, United Mexican Navy; Commander Dante Aguilar, United Mexican Navy and new Commanding Officer of the S. P. Lee; Rear Admiral John Chubb, Commander Naval Oceanography Command; and Vice Admiral Alviaro Sandoval Peralta, United Mexican Navy. Photo was in the December 11, 1992 edition of the yard's newspaper "Grapevine." US Navy photo	Darryl Baker
ARM Antares (BI04)
09103109	79k	*ARM Antares* (BI04)** moored pierside, date and location unknown. Photo courtesy Shipspotting.com	Darryl Baker