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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Contributed by George W. Fleck

R/V Gosport (IX-517)
ex
 R/V Pacific Escort II (IX-517) (1990 - 1997)
 R/V Thomas G. Thompson (IX-517) (1989 - 1990)
 R/V Thomas G. Thompson (AGOR-9) (1965 - 1989)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Golf - Echo - Lima
 NGEL
Robert D. Conrad Class Oceanographic Research Ship:
  • Laid down, 12 September 1963, at Martinette Marine, Martinette, WI.
  • Launched, 18 July 1964
  • Delivered to the Navy, 1 August 1965, as R/V Thomas G. Thompson (AGOR-9)
  • Leased to University of Washington, 21 September 1965
  • Returned to US Naval custody, date unknown
  • Reclassified as Unclassified Miscellaneous, 11 December 1989, renamed/redesignated R/V Pacific Escort (II) (IX-517) a general research available for hire from Mare Island Naval Shipyard
  • Relocated to Norfolk Naval Shipyard with the closing of Mare Island Naval Shipyard in October 1996
  • Renamed R/V Gosport (IX-517), 7 May 1997, a multi-purpose research vessel, available for hire from Norfolk Naval Shipyard
  • R/V Gosport was operated by Norfolk Naval Shipyard Code 1219 (Business Office), Trinity Management augmented the regular crew of seven with an additional seven crew members
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 27 February 2004
  • Final Disposition, sunk, 14 November 2004 as part of a NATO exercise
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,200 t.(lt) 1,370 t.(fl)
    Length 209'
    Beam 40'
    Draft 16'
    Speed 12 kts.
    Complement
    14 civilian mariners
    up to 70 scientific party
    Propulsion diesel-electric, three propeller shafts, (low speed diesel engine driving cycloidal propellers, fwd & aft), 2,500shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Source
    R/V Thomas G. Thompson (AGOR-9)
    Thomas G. Thompson 45k R/VThomas G. Thompson (AGOR-9) underway, date and place unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Thomas G. Thompson 33k R/VThomas G. Thompson (AGOR-9) in the service of the University of Washington, date unknown. University of Washington web site
    R/V Thomas G. Thompson (IX-517)
    Thomas G. Thompson 164k OPNAV Notice 5030 of 11 Dec 1989 directing re-designation of R/V Thomas. G. Thompson (AGOR-9) to R/VThomas G. Thompson (IX-517) Darryl Baker
    Thomas G. Thompson 344k Cover of February 2, 1990 Mare Island Naval Shipyard newspaper "Grapevine" with photo of R/V Thomas. G. Thompson (IX-517) moored at her berth at the yard in February 1990. Darryl Baker
    R/V Pacific Escort (II) (IX-517)
    Thomas G. Thompson 176k Advisement pamphlet for the services of the R/V Pacific Escort (IX 517) while she serviced at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Darryl Baker
    Thomas G. Thompson 396k
    Thomas G. Thompson 395k
    Thomas G. Thompson 305k
    Thomas G. Thompson 50k R/V Pacific Escort (IX-517) retrieving an aerial target drone, date and location unknown. Robert Guttman
    R/V Gosport (IX-517)
    Thomas G. Thompson 254k R/V Gosport (IX-517) underway, date and location unknown. Robert Guttman
    Thomas G. Thompson 71k R/V Gosport (IX-517) underway with an unidentified submarine, date and location unknown. Robert Guttman
    Thomas G. Thompson 359k R/V Gosport (IX-517) launching a BQM target drone missile, date and location unknown. Captain George W. Fleck Master, TSV-1 Prevail (IX-537)
    Thomas G. Thompson 75k R/V Gosport (IX-517) launching an exercise mine, date and location unknown. Captain George W. Fleck Master, TSV-1 Prevail (IX-537)
    Thomas G. Thompson 166k R/V Gosport (IX-517) moored at the Newport News Shipyard, date unknown. Captain George W. Fleck Master, TSV-1 Prevail (IX-537)
    Thomas G. Thompson 110k R/V Gosport (IX-517) moored at berth 11-12 Newport News Shipbuilding, date unknown. Note USS Enterprise (CV-65) and a State of Virginia Jamestown Ferry in the background. Captain George W. Fleck Master, TSV-1 Prevail (IX-537)
    Thomas G. Thompson 134k Bow view of R/V Gosport (IX-517) moored at berth 11-12 Newport News Shipbuilding, date unknown. Captain George W. Fleck Master, TSV-1 Prevail (IX-537)
    Thomas G. Thompson 588k Ex-R/V Gosport (IX-517) being towed from the Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility to sea in November 2004. The ship is off Berth 1 NNSY, NORSHIPCO docks in the background, Southern Branch Elizabeth River. Captain George W. Fleck Master, TSV-1 Prevail (IX-537)
    Thomas G. Thompson (T-AGOR-9)
    DANFS     history entry at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    Navy Oceanographic Research Ship (AGOR) Designator Listing

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    Last Updated 17 June 2011