Chain, 1958-1973
Scope and Content Note
The Chain series contains logbooks, graphs, charts, notes, telegrams, memoranda and photographs relating to various scientific activities aboard the R/V Chain. Logbooks sometimes contain notes, photographs or other materials inserted, taped, glued, or stapled into the logs. Materials were kept in place in the logs; photographs not in logbooks were removed to the WHOI Image collection.
Dates
- 1958-1973
Access
Open: materials are available for research.
Historical Note
In 1958, the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), took over the operation of Chain , a Navy salvage vessel, and under an agreement with the Navy, the ship came to Woods Hole. Chain's first nine cruises at WHOI were made with an MSTS crew. In 1959, WHOI assumed operation of the vessel.
Chain made a total of 129 scientific cruises, including a cruise that took her around the world in 1970-1971. She traveled some 600,000 miles and was used in every type of ocean science. Long a favorite for her seaworthiness, Chain's last cruise ended in December 1975. In June 1979 the vessel was towed away for scrap.
Specifications
- Built: 1944 by the Basalt Rock Co., Napa, CA
- Length: 213'; Beam: 41'; Draft: 16'6"
- Capacity: crew-29, science-26
[Taken from History of WHOI Research Vessels website.]
Extent
23 boxes (31 lin. ft.)
Language
From the Collection: English
From the Collection: English
Arrangement
Logs are arranged by cruise and leg number, and chronologically thereunder.
Repository Details
Part of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Data Library and Archives Repository