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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

T-AK-270 / T-AGOR-8 Eltanin


USNS Eltanin was transferred to Argentina and renamed ARA Islas Orcadas
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
National Defense Service Medal
Eltanin Class (Ice-breaking) Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down (date unknown) as a Maritime Administration type (C1-ME2-13a) hull, under a Maritime Administration contract, at Avondale Marine Ways, Inc., Avondale, LA.
  • Launched, 16 January 1957
  • Acquired by the Navy and placed in service by MSTS as USNS Eltanin (T-AK-270). October 1957
  • Reclassified as an Oceanographic Research Vessel (T-AGOR-8), 23 August 1962
  • Operated by MSTS for the National Science Foundation, becoming the world's first Antarctic research ship
  • Placed out of service, (date unknown)
  • Transferred to the Maritime Administration for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet
  • Transferred to Argentine in 1974, renamed ARA Islas Orcadas
  • Final Disposition, disposed of by the Argentine Navy in 1979
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,850 t.(lt) 3,886 t.(fl)
    Length 266'
    Beam 52'
    Draft 18'
    Speed 13 kts.
    Complement 18 civilians, 15 scientific party, 6 Navy
    Propulsion diesel electric, two shafts, 3,200hp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Eltanin 37k Eltanin (T-AGOR-8), pierside, date and place unknown.
    US Navy photo from DANFS.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    View the Eltanin (T-AK-270 / T-AGOR-8)
    DANFS History entry located at Navsource.
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    Oceanographer of the Navy
    Navy Oceanographic Survey Ship (AGOR) Designator Listing
    Back to the Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To the Service Force Ship Type Index Back To The Cargo Ship (AK) Photo Index Back To The Oceanographic Research Vessel (AGOR) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2009 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 30 April 2004