 USNSMelville (T-AGOR-14) underway offBay City, Michigan, 9 July 1969 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | Melville (1968-2016) |
| Namesake | George Wallace Melville, a notedArctic explorer and chief of theBureau of Steam Engineering from 1887 to 1903 |
| Builder | Defoe Shipbuilding Company,Bay City, Michigan |
| Laid down | 12 July 1967 |
| Launched | 10 July 1968 |
| Sponsored by | Mrs.Elford A. Cederberg |
| Acquired | by theU.S. Navy 1 August 1969, as USNSMelville (T-AGOR-14) |
| In service | 1969, for operation asR/V Melville byScripps Institution of Oceanography,University of California,San Diego, California |
| Home port | La Jolla, California |
| Fate | Transferred to Philippines 29 April 2016 |
| Notes |
|
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| History | |
|---|---|
 Philippines | |
| Name | Gregorio Velasquez(2016-present) |
| Namesake | Gregorio Velasquez |
| Acquired | by thePhilippine Navy 28 April 2016 |
| Recommissioned | 28 April 2016 |
| Identification | |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Robert D. Conrad-classoceanographic research ship |
| Tonnage | 2,516 tons (7,125 m3) |
| Displacement | 2,944 long tons (2,991 t) |
| Length | 279 feet (85 m) |
| Beam | 46 feet (14 m) |
| Draft | 16 feet 6 inches (5.03 m) (maximum) |
| Propulsion | two 1,385 hp PropulsionGeneral Electricmotors, Bow Thruster: 900 hp retractableAzimuth-compensatingbow thruster, Two 1385 hp Z-Drive Lipspropellers |
| Speed | Cruising: 11.7knots (21.7 km/h); Maximum: 14 knots (26 km/h); Minimum: variable to 0, any direction |
| Range | Range: 10,061 nmi (18,633 km; 11,578 mi) at 11.7 knots (fuel) |
| Endurance | 40 days at 11.7 knots (fuel) |
| Capacity | Water Capacity: 15,900 gallons (60,200 L) |
| Complement | 23 civilianmariners, 38 scientists |
| Armament | none |
| Notes | Fuel consumption: 3,600 gallons per day (13,600 L/d) (transit) |
BRPGregorio Velasquez isPhilippine Navy's firstoceanographic research vessel.[1] It was built by theUnited States Navy asUSNSMelville (T-AGOR-14) for university support of Navy programs. The ship was operated as theresearch vesselR/VMelville by theScripps Institution of Oceanography foroceanographic research. As the R/VMelville, it was the oldest active vessel in the academic research fleet, collectively known as theUniversity-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS)[2] (UNOLS).[3] The US Government confirmed on 17 November 2015 that theMelville was to be transferred to thePhilippine Navy as Excess Defense Articles (EDA)s.[4] The vessel was officially transferred to the Philippines on 28 April 2016 and was commissioned into active service at the same time with the Philippine Navy.[5]
Melville (AGOR 14) was laid down on 12 July 1967 by theDefoe Shipbuilding Company inBay City, Michigan, launched on 10 July 1968 sponsored by Marguerite "Peg" Kletchka Cederberg, wife of CongressmanElford Cederberg. The ship, second given the name by the Navy, was completed and delivered to the Navy on 1 August 1969 then placed in service with theMilitary Sea Transportation Service as USNSMelville (T-AGOR 14).Melville was chartered to theScripps Institution of Oceanography for operation by theOffice of Naval Research as part of the UNOLS fleet.[6][7]
Though often listed as aRobert D. Conrad-classoceanographic research ship the ship is of an entirely different appearance, design and size as evidenced byMelville's[8] 2,944 vs.Conrad's[9] 1,370 loaded displacement, dimensions of 279' X 46' X 16.6' as opposed toConrad's 208'10" X 37'5" X 15'2", general appearance and layout and, most distinctly, completely different propulsion systems and capabilities.Melville's original system was a cycloidal system with propulsion later modified to an advanced system of twin 1,385 hp diesel electric engines driving 1,385 hp Z-Drive Lips[8][10] with a 900 hp Retractable Azimuthing Thruster allowing the ship to move 360° under main engines whileConrad's was single screw 2,500shp diesel-electric with a retractable azmuthing bow thruster.[11]
Melville'ssister ship is theR/VKnorr, best known as the ship which located the wreck of theRMSTitanic in 1985, which was also launched in 1968.
Melville was named forGeorge Melville, a pioneerarctic explorer andRear Admiral in theUnited States Navy, who was Chief of theBureau of Steam Engineering from 1887 to 1903.
A crew of 23 keeps the ship operational, and up to 38scientists can be accommodated for the purposes of the scientific expedition.
Melville was configured as a general purpose oceanographic vessel of the Global Class operating world wide. The ship sailed over 1.5 million miles and crossed the equator more than 90 times. With an expected useful life of 30 years the ship underwent a service life extension in 1992 to give the additional years service before retirement after 45 years of service.[7] In that overhaul the hull was lengthened, increasing her displacement to 2670 tons (full-load), and a new propulsion system was installed.
TheMelville was used in the 1976 movieKing Kong, starringJessica Lange andJeff Bridges. It was used specifically because of itscycloid propulsion drive (at that time), which allowed it to move sideways. This type of drive is used, on research vessels, forstation keeping in the ocean over drill and coring sites.
In 1979 theMelville was the lead ship of theRISE oceanographic expedition to the crest of theEast Pacific Rise at 21° N off the west coast ofMexico. It was this expedition that discovered deep sea high temperaturehydrothermal vents using the submersibleAlvin and other oceanographic instruments.
In September 2014 the ship reached the end of the life cycle extension of the 1992 service life extension. After 45 years of serviceMelville Scripps hosted a farewell for the ship on 21 February 2015 at San Diego.[7] TheWhite House confirmed on 17 November 2015 that theMelville andUSCGCBoutwell (WHEC-719) would be transferred to thePhilippine Navy as Excess Defense Articles (EDA)s.[4] On 29 April 2016, the ship was formally turned over and commissioned to the Philippine Navy at a ceremony held inSan Diego, California. The ship was renamedBRPGregorio Velasquez, after aFilipinoNational Scientist, and assigned the pennant number AGR-702. The ship is expected to provide the Philippine Navy withhydrographic survey and maritime research capabilities.[1]
This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be foundhere.
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