USNS Henson (T-AGS-63) is a Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey ship. It is the fourth ship in the class. Henson is named after Matthew Henson, who accompanied Robert Peary, most famously on an expedition intended to reach the Geographic North Pole in 1909.

Henson in Guantanamo Bay, January 2010
History
United States
NameHenson
NamesakeMatthew Henson
Owner United States Navy
OperatorMilitary Sealift Command
Awarded20 October 1994[1]
BuilderHalter Marine[1]
Laid down13 October 1995[1]
Launched21 October 1996[1]
In service20 February 1998[1]
Identification
Statusin active service
General characteristics
Class and typePathfinder-class survey ship
Displacement5,000 tons full 3,019 light[1]
Length329 ft (100 m)[1]
Beam58 ft (18 m)[1]
Draft19 ft (5.8 m)[1]
Speed16 kn (30 km/h)
Complement28 mariners/27 sponsor personnel

Henson participated in the search for the remains of USS Bonhomme Richard off the coast of Flamborough Head, England, during the week of 10 September 2010. The survey crew is composed of oceanographers from the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) who planned and coordinated the U.S. Navy's participation in the search. Representatives from the U.S. Naval Academy, Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Naval History and Heritage Command will also be aboard Henson to assist in the search and identification of found artifacts.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "USNS Henson". Naval Vessel Register. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  2. ^ "Navy Searches for John Paul Jones' Ship". Navy News Service. 11 September 2010. Retrieved 14 September 2010.

External links edit

 
Henson on the Potomac River, November 1998