Wilkes IV T-AGS-33

Wilkes IV

(T-AGS-33: dp. 2540 (f.); 1. 286'7~", b. 48'0"; dr.
15'0" (max.5; s. 15 k.; cpl. 49; cl. Wilkes)

The fourth Wilkes (T-AGS-33)—an oceanographic survey vessel—was laid down on 18 July 1968 at Bay City. Mich. by the Defoe Shipbuilding Co., launched on 31 July 1969; sponsored by Mrs. Hollis L. Jay, the great grand-daughter of Charles Wilkes, and was accepted by the Military Sealift Command (MSC) at the Boston Naval Shipyard on 16 July 1971. W. B. Nilsen was the ship's first master.

Wilkes was assigned to special projects with MSC Atlantic upon her joining MSC in 1971. Operated by a civil service crew but under the direction of the Oceanographer of the Navy, Wilkes conducted oceanographic missions, collecting, processing and evaluating hydrographic, acoustic, and meteorological data. Inactivated on 20 April 1975 and placed in "ready reserve status," Wilkes was returned to active service on 31 March 1976. Assigned to MSC Atlantic, she remianed active into 1979.