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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USNS Timber Hitch (T-AGM-17)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Tango - India - Yankee
NTIY

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

National Defense Service Medal

Alamosa Class Cargo Ship / Timber Hitch Class Missile Range Instrumentation Ship

Laid down, date unknown, as a Maritime Commission type (C1-M-AV1) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 2315) at Consolidated Steel Corp., Ltd., Wilmington, DE.

Launched, date unknown

Delivered to the Maritime Commission in 23 November 1945 for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Olympia, WA. Group

Moved to the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Astoria, OR., 12 September 1949

Withdrawn from reserve for delivery to the US Air Force, 2 April 1957, for conversion to a missile tracking ship

Placed in service as Ocean Range Vessel USAFS Timber Hitch (ORV-17) to be operated in support of the Air Force Eastern Test Range

Acquired by the US Navy in 1964 and placed in service with the Military Sea Transportation Service as a Special Mission Ship on the Eastern Test Range, USNS Timber Hitch (T-AGM-17)

Placed out of service in 1968

Returned to the Maritime Administration, 5 May 1968 for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River Group. Lee Hall, VA.

Struck from the Naval Register, 9 October 1969

Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 27 July 1977, for $309.999.00 (group of four ships) to Consolidated Andy International Inc.

Specifications:
Displacement 3,366 t.(lt) 6,090 t.(fl)
Length 338' 9"
Beam 50' 4"
Draft 17' 7"
Speed 11.5 kts.
Complement unknown
Armament none
Propulsion diesel, single propeller

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
09531704	51k	*Namesake* Timber Hitch - A knot used to attach a single length of rope to a cylindrical object. Secure while tension is maintained, it is easily untied even after heavy loading.(Wikipedia)	Tommy Trampp
	149k	*USAFS Timber Hitch* (ORV-17)** receiving water from the US Army Ship American Mariner, 3 December 1961, at Clarence Bay, Ascension Island. U S Army newsletter "Aboard the USAFS American Mariner" dated February 1962.	Robert Hurst
	103k	*USNS Timber Hitch* (T-AGM-17)** moored pierside, date and location unknown.	Tommy Trampp
	117k	*USNS Timber Hitch* (T-AGM-17) and USNS Coastal Sentry (T-AGM-15)** docked together during the 1960s, location unknown. US Naval History and Heritage command Photo # NH 92955, courtesy of William H. Davis, 1981.	US Naval History and Heritage Command

There is no DANFS history available for USNS Timber Hitch (AGM-17) at NavSource

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 26 February 2021