USNS Eltanin

History
United States
NameUSS Eltanin
NamesakeA star in the constellation Draco
BuilderAvondale Marine Ways, Inc., Avondale, Louisiana
Laid downdate unknown as type (C1-ME2-13a) hull
Launched16 January 1957
Acquiredby the U.S. Navy, October 1957
In serviceOctober 1957 by MSTS as USNS Eltanin (T-AK-270)
Out of servicedate unknown
ReclassifiedOceanographic Research Vessel (T-AGOR-8), 23 August 1962
Strickennot known
Fatetransferred to Argentina in 1974
History
Argentina
NameARA Islas Orcadas
Acquired1974
FateScrapped, 1979
General characteristics
Typecargo ship (icebreaker)
Tonnage1,850 tons
Displacement3,886 tons
Length266 ft (81 m)
Beam52 ft (16 m)
Draft18 ft (5.5 m)
Propulsiondiesel electric, two shafts, 3,200hp
Speed13 knots
Complement18 civilians, 15 scientific party, 6 Navy
Armamentnone indicated

USNS Eltanin (T-AK-270/T-AGOR-8) was an Eltanin-class cargo ship with an ice-breaking hull acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1957 and then operated by the Navy in a non-commissioned status, named after Eltanin, a star in the constellation Draco. Her designation was changed to that of an oceanographic research ship in 1962 when she operated in Antarctic waters.