USNS Flyer

History
United States
Name
  • Water Witch (1944–1946)
  • American Flyer (1946–1965)
  • Flyer (1965–1975)
BuilderMoore Dry Dock Company, Oakland, California
Yard number296
Laid down30 October 1944
Launched20 December 1944
In service9 February 1965
Out of service17 July 1975
Identification
  • Official number: 247417
  • Signal: ANQN
FateSold for scrapping, 27 April 1976
General characteristics
Tonnage
  • 6,214 GRT 1944 as built
  • 8,327 GRT 1964 as American Flyer
  • 9,250 DWT 1944 as built
  • 10,520 DWT 1964 as American Flyer
Displacement
  • 7,300 long tons (7,417 t) light
  • 11,000 long tons (11,177 t) full
Length459 ft (140 m)
Beam63.1 ft (19.2 m)
Draft28.8 ft (8.8 m)
Propulsion2 boilers, steam turbine, single shaft, 6,000 shp (4,474 kW)
Speed15.5 kn (17.8 mph; 28.7 km/h)
Capacity6 passengers as American Flyer
Crew54

USNS Flyer (T-AG-178), was a type C2-S-B1 cargo ship built for the Maritime Commission (MC) as Water Witch in service under charter by the commission to several lines until purchased in 1946 by United States Lines and renamed American Flyer. After being placed in the Reserve Fleet 14 December 1964 the title was transferred to the United States Navy for use as a deep ocean bathymetric survey ship supporting installation of the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS). The Navy placed the ship in service 9 February 1965 with the name Flyer given on 22 March. The ship operated in that role until 1975.