USNS Silas Bent Ship Overview

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The USNS Silas Bent is a ship with a rich history. It was built by the Pacific Marine Builders, Inc.

The ship's construction began in 1944 and was completed in 1945. It was designed to serve as a cargo ship.

The USNS Silas Bent is a T2-SE-A1 type ship, which means it's a variant of the T2 tankers.

Construction and History

The USNS Silas Bent was constructed in Lorain, Ohio by the American Shipbuilding Co. in March 1964.

The ship was laid down in March 1964 by the American Shipbuilding Co. at Lorain, Ohio. It was a significant milestone in the ship's construction process.

Silas Bent was launched on 16 May 1964, sponsored by sisters and granddaughters of Silas Bent, Miss Nancy M. McKinley and Mrs. Jeffrey R. Grandy.

The ship was delivered to the Military Sea Transportation Service (now the Military Sealift Command) in July 1965, marking the end of its construction and the beginning of its service.

Specifications and Designation

An artistic mosaic of a ship on an exterior building facade with vibrant colors.
Credit: pexels.com, An artistic mosaic of a ship on an exterior building facade with vibrant colors.

The USNS Silas Bent is a ship with a rich history, and let's start with the basics. It was a T-AGS-32 class survey ship.

This ship was part of the US Navy's fleet, and its primary function was to conduct hydrographic surveys. It was a vital part of the Navy's mission to map and chart the world's oceans.

The USNS Silas Bent was built by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company in San Diego, California. It was a massive undertaking that required a lot of resources and expertise.

The ship was 455 feet long and had a beam of 63 feet. It was a significant vessel, to say the least.

Operations and Activities

Silas Bent was the first of a new class of oceanographic survey ships, manned by a Civil Service crew and operated by the Military Sealift Command.

The ship was under the technical control of the Naval Oceanographic Office in Suitland, Maryland, which oversaw the collection and analysis of vital oceanographic data.

Humpback whale tail near a US Navy ship on a calm ocean day.
Credit: pexels.com, Humpback whale tail near a US Navy ship on a calm ocean day.

During her shakedown cruise in 1965 and 1966, Silas Bent completed her operational testing and was ready for oceanographic survey operations.

The ship was primarily conducting oceanographic research in the northern Pacific, between Alaska and Japan, collecting data in both underway and on-station modes.

In May 1968, Silas Bent located an ammunition-laden Liberty ship sunk in the North Pacific, a significant discovery for oceanographic research.

The ship's advanced capabilities allowed her to measure a range of oceanographic parameters, including bathymetric depth, magnetic intensity, gravity, surface temperature, seismic reflection, sound velocity, ambient light, and salinity.

Silas Bent played a key role in the Navy's ASW/USW Oceanwide Survey Project, supporting antisubmarine and undersea warfare weapons systems in the northern Pacific.

Decommissioning and Disposal

The USNS Silas Bent was deactivated in Singapore on October 28, 1999.

It was then transferred to the Republic of Turkey, where it was renamed TCG Çeșme (A-599).

The USNS Silas Bent wasn't the only ship to meet this fate, its sister ship the USNS Elisha Kent Kane, was also decommissioned and transferred to the Republic of Turkey in 2001.

The USNS Elisha Kent Kane was renamed TGC Çandarli (A-588) upon its transfer.

Kristin Waelchi

Senior Writer

Kristin Waelchi is a skilled writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in research and analysis, she brings a unique perspective to her writing, delving deep into complex topics and shedding light on the intricacies of the world around us. Kristin's expertise lies in crafting engaging articles that inform and educate readers on a wide range of subjects, including industrial facilities.

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