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
Name	Oxford class
Builders	New England Shipbuilding Corporation
Operators	United States Navy
Succeeded by	Belmont class
Built	1945
In commission	1945–1969
Completed	3
Retired	3
General characteristics
Type	Type 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
Length	441 ft 6 in (134.6 m)
Beam	56 ft 11 in (17.3 m)
Draft	22 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
Speed	11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph)
Complement	213
Armament	4 × .50 caliber machine guns

Ships in class

• Oxford class (Liberty ship type)
  • USS Oxford (AGTR-1) • 1961–1969
  • USS Georgetown (AGTR-2) • 1963–1969
  • USS Jamestown (AGTR-3) • 1963–1969

See also

• Spy ship