USS San Carlos (AVP-51) - Oceanographic Research Ship

Oceanographic Research Ship

After eleven years of inactivity, San Carlos was taken out of reserve on 11 July 1958 and assigned to the U.S. Navy's Military Sea Transportation Service for conversion to an oceanographic research ship by Mobile Ship Repair Company of Mobile, Alabama. Alterations to her original design included the installation of six laboratories, a machine shop, a darkroom, a superstructure deck locker for experimental stowage or work, and a deep-sea winch capable of handling up to 40,000 feet (12,000 m) of wire rope and 20 long tons (20 t) of equipment. In her modified form, she required a crew of 48 and could accommodate a scientific staff of 24.

On 15 December 1958, the ship was renamed USNS Josiah Willard Gibbs, in honor of American scientist Josiah Willard Gibbs and re-designated as T-AGOR-1, an oceanographic research ship. On 18 December 1958, she was placed in non-commissioned service as a United States Naval Ship under control of the Military Sea Transportation Service.

Josiah Willard Gibbs became the principal research vessel of the Hudson Laboratories of Columbia University, under contract to the Office of Naval Research. For thirteen years she provided transportation, accommodations, and working spaces for American scientists and technicians investigating physical, chemical, and biological properties of the ocean. She was dedicated primarily to research in the physics of the ocean, particularly the propagation of sound, as part of efforts by the Office of Naval Research to improve the U.S. Navy's submarine and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Her relatively large size allowed her to handle heavier weights at greater depths and provide greater stability for delicate scientific measurements than any other oceanographic research vessel then in use. Her large deep-sea winch and auxiliary propeller gave her the capability to investigate even the deep ocean trenches scattered throughout the world.

In July 1968 the ship surveyed a large fracture zone crossing the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 52°37′26″N 33°11′53″W / 52.624°N 33.198°W / 52.624; -33.198. This fracture zone was known at the time as Charlie Fracture Zone, after the USCG Ocean Weather Station Charlie at 52°45′N 35°30′W / 52.750°N 35.500°W / 52.750; -35.500. It was proposed that the fracture zone be renamed Gibbs Fracture Zone, since fracture zones are generally named for research vessels. Currently this fracture zone is referred to as Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone. At 16°35′N 64°00′W / 16.583°N 64.000°W / 16.583; -64.000 in the Caribbean there is a Gibbs Seamount.

Josiah Willard Gibbs was taken out of service on 7 December 1971 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register the same day.