Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster. Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USNS Bowditch (T-AGS-62)


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Whiskey - Bravo - Whiskey
 NWBW
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

National Defense Service Medal
Pathfinder Class Hydrographic Survey Ship:
  • Laid down, 16 June 1993, at Halter Marine Inc., Moss Point, MS.
  • Launched, 15 October 1994
  • Delivered to the Navy, 19 July 1996
  • Placed in service with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) as USNS Bowditch (T-AGS-62)
  • Bowditch is one of the seven survey ships of MSC's Special Mission Ships Program
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,981 t.(lt) 4,260 t.(fl)
    Length 329'
    Beam 58'
    Draft 18'
    Speed 16 kts.
    Complement 25 Civilian Mariners, 30 Scientific Party
    Propulsion four EMD Diesels (diesel-electric drive), 8,520kw, twin shafts
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Bowditch
    09102110    		 7k
    Namesake
    Bowditch - Nathaniel Bowditch (March 26, 1773 – March 16, 1838) was an early American mathematician remembered for his work on ocean navigation. He is often credited as the founder of modern maritime navigation; his book The New American Practical Navigator, first published in 1802, is still carried on board every commissioned U.S. Naval vessel. (Wikipedia)    		  
    Bowditch
    09106205    		 2391k A port bow view of the oceanographic research ship USNS Bowditch (T-AGS-62) afloat for the first time following the christening and launch ceremony, 15 October 1994, at Halter Marine Inc. Moss Point, MS.
    US National Archives and Records Administration Identifier NAID: 6495603 , Local ID: 330-CFD-DN-SC-97-02343    		 John Spivey
    Bowditch
    09106206    		 3273k An oblique port bow view of USNS Bowditch (T-AGS-62) underway on the Potomac River near Fort Washington, MD. 39 March 1996.
    US National Archives and Records Administration Identifier NAID: 6501930, Local ID: 330-CFD-DN-SC-98-00521    		 US National Archives
    Bowditch 97k USNS Bowditch (T-AGS-62) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 MSC
    Bowditch 16k USNS Bowditch (T-AGS-62) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 Oceanographer of the Navy
    Bowditch 61k USNS Bowditch (T-AGS-62) Photo by Lee Wahler
    Bowditch
    09106204    		 262k Night photo of USNS Bowditch (T-AGS-62) at a berth outside of Mare Island’s dry dock #2 and USS Emory S. Land (AS-39) in dry dock #2, 29 September 2020. Photo by Lee Ann Baker
    USNS Bowditch (T-AGS-62)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Back To the Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Service Ship Photo Index Back To The Survey Ship Photo Index
    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.
    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 30 May 2025