Oxford-class research ship

The Oxford class of technical research ships were a class of three World War II Liberty ships converted in the early 1960s to provide a seaborne platform for global eavesdropping on behalf of the National Security Agency. The ships of this class were similar to the Belmont-class ships of the same era with the difference being that they were adapted from Victory ships.

USS Oxford (AG-159)
Class overview
NameOxford class
BuildersNew England Shipbuilding Corporation
Operators United States Navy
Succeeded byBelmont class
Built1945
In commission1945–1969
Completed3
Retired3
General characteristics
TypeType Z-EC2-S-C5 technical research ship
Displacement
  • 8,345 long tons (8,479 t) light
  • 11,365 long tons (11,547 t) full load
Length441 ft 6 in (134.6 m)
Beam56 ft 11 in (17.3 m)
Draft22 ft 9 in (6.9 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 × 220 psi (1,500 kPa) boilers
  • 1 × 3-cylinder triple-expansion reciprocating engine, 2,500 shp (1,864 kW)
  • 1 × 4-bladed 18 ft 6 in (5.6 m) propeller
  • 1 shaft
Speed11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph)
Complement213
Armament4 × .50 caliber machine guns

Ships in class

See also

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