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Asterias, 1952-1975

 Series

Scope and Content Note

The Asterias series contains several logs.

Dates

  • Creation: 1952-1975

Access

Open: materials are available for research.

Historical Note

Named for the local starfish, Asterias was built of white and southern hard pine and was similar in design to commercial fishing boats of the era. The Asterias and the Atlantis were built as the Institution's first vessels.

The first Asterias made at least 10,000 short trips, from Maine to New York, primarily for the testing of scientific gear. Nearly every member of the scientific and technical staff had a need for Asterias at some time. Her excellent design and construction made her a natural seaboat.

Asterias was sold to Ocean Research Engineering in 1980. In 1985 Edwin Athearn, her former captain, saved her from destruction and together with Dave Lewis restored the ship's name and condition.

Specifications

  1. Built: 1931 by the Casey Boat Building Co., Fairhaven, MA, for WHOI
  2. Length: 40.5'; Beam: 13.6'; Draft: 5'3"

[Taken from History of WHOI Research Vessels website.]

Extent

5 logbooks

Language

From the Collection: English

From the Collection: English

Arrangement

Logs are organized by cruise, and chronologically thereunder.

Related Material

See also the Bear series (cruises 172, 228, 281 and 290), and the Gosnold series (cruise 42) for cruises conducted in conjunction with Asterias; and the Miscellaneous Logs series for the "STD Log, William Ford," which contains material on the Asterias.

Repository Details

Part of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Data Library and Archives Repository

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