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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USNS Charles H. Davis (T-AGOR-5)


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Lima - November - Lima
 NLNL

USNS Charles H. Davis (T-AGOR-5) was transferred to New Zealand, renamed HMNZS Tui (A-2)
Robert D. Conrad Class Oceanographic Research Ship:
  • Laid down, 15 June 1961, at Christy Corp, Sturgeon Bay, WI.
  • Launched, 30 June 1962
  • Delivered to the Navy, 25 January 1963
  • Placed in service by the US Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC) as USNS Charles H. Davis (T-AGOR-5)
  • Placed out of service in the mid-1960s
  • Transferred, on loan, 28 July 1970, to New Zealand, renamed HMNZS Tui (A-2), later (A-5)
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 1 October 1997
  • Decommissioned by the New Zealand Navy, 18 February 1998
  • Final Disposition, sunk as an artificial reef for recreational diving, 20 February 1999, off Tutukaka NZ
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,200 t.(lt) 1,370 t.(fl)
    Length 209'
    Beam 40'
    Draft 16'
    Speed 12 kts.
    Complement 23 civilian mariners, 38 scientists
    Propulsion Diesel-electric, single propeller, 2,500shp, retractable azmuthing bow thruster
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Source
    USNS Charles H. Davis (T-AGOR-5)
    Charles H Davis 222k
    Namesake

    Charles Henry Davis (January 16, 1807 – February 18, 1877) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy, serving primarily during the American Civil War and with the United States Coast Survey. He was commissioned as a Midshipman on August 12, 1823. Between 1827 and 1828, he served on board the frigate the USS United States, in the Pacific. In 1829, he was promoted to Passed Midshipman. From 1830 to 1833, he served on the sloop the USS Ontario. In 1834, he was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to the USS Vincennes. In 1840 to 1841, he served on board the USS Independence. From 1846 to 1849, he worked in the United States Coast Survey on board the USS Nantucket, where he discovered a previously unknown shoal that had caused shipwrecks off the coast of New York. During his service to the Survey, he was also responsible for researching tides and currents and acted as an inspector on a number of naval shipyards. In 1854, he was promoted to Commander and given the command of the USS St. Mary's. In 1859, while commanding the St. Mary's, Davis was ordered to go to Baker's Island to obtain samples of guano, becoming perhaps the first American to set foot there since it was annexed by the United States in 1857. The guano was necessary as fertilizer. Commodore William Mervine had previously been sent, but he did not land and believed the island to be inaccessible. (From evidence that was later found on the island, it had been visited prior to 1857 by whalers.)
    In 1861, he was promoted to Captain. In the American Civil War, he was given command of the Mississippi Flotilla and fought a short battle with Confederate ships near Fort Pillow on May 11, 1862. Three of their eight attacking ships were disabled with only minor damage to one of the defending Union ships. On June 8, he fought in the Battle of Memphis, resulting in Davis delivering the demand to surrender (which was accepted) to the troops there. In July, he fought in the Battle of Vicksburg, but was forced to withdraw. (At this time, he was also promoted to Commodore.) In August, he proceeded up the Yazoo River and successfully seized Confederate supplies and munitions there. After this excursion, he was made Chief of the Bureau of Navigation and returned to Washington, D.C.. On February 7, 1863, he was promoted to Rear Admiral. From 1865 to 1867, he was the Superintendent of the United States Naval Observatory. In 1867, he was given command of the South Atlantic squadron and was given the USS Guerriere as his flagship. In 1869, he returned home and served both on the Lighthouse Board as well as in the Naval Observatory.
    Several ships of the United States Navy are also named in his honor: the torpedo boat Davis (TB-12) and the destroyers Davis (DD-65) and USS Davis (DD-395).
    Digital ID: cph 3c04940 Source: Library of Congress    		 Bill Gonyo
    Charles H Davis 69k USNS Charles H. Davis (T-AGOR-5) launching, 30 June 1962, at Christy Corp, Sturgeon Bay, WI.
    US Navy photo from DANFS.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Charles H Davis 99k USNS Charles H. Davis (T-AGOR-5) underway in Boston Harbor, 30 January 1963, five days after being placed in service.
    Boston Naval Shipyard photo ASF #876, Boston National Historical Park Collection, NPS Cat. No. BOSTS-10659    		 Stephen P. Carlson, Preservation Specialist, Boston NHP, Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, MA.
    Charles H Davis 91k USNS Charles H. Davis (T-AGOR-5) underway, circa 1964, location unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 Robert Hurst
    HMNZS Tui (A5)
    Charles H Davis 29k Ex-HMNZS Tui (ex Charles H. Davis) being sunk as an artificial reef at Tutukaka NZ, 20 February 1999. Photo courtesy Dive Tutukaka web site
    Charles H Davis 29k Ex-HMNZS Tui (ex Charles H Davis) sinking at Tutukaka NZ, 20 February 1999. Photo courtesy
    RNZN New "Navy Today"
    There is no DANFS History currently available for USNS Charles H. Davis (T-AGOR-5) at NavSource
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    Last Updated 27 May 2011