copyright - WHOI

Built: 1940-41 by Reid, Winthrop, MA. Designed: Eldredge-McGinnis Co., Boston, MA, as a dragger Length: Beam:’ Draft: Capacity: Names: 75' 18' 8' crew-8, science-5 Little Sam (Q-68) 1941-1946

Balanus was used during the war years as a harbor transport. WHOI purchased the vessel in 1946 from Vita Lo Piccola of Boston for use primarily in coastal waters. Balanus made 26 cruises. Her work was mainly for physical oceanography, but also included plankton tows, camera work, instrumentation tests and current measurements. Balanus was sold in 1950 to D.L. Edgerton, a MD fisherman.