copyright - WHOI

Built: 1944 by the Basalt Rock Co., Napa, CA Length: Beam:’ Draft: Capacity: 213' 41' 16'6" crew-29, science-26

In 1958, the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), took over the operation of Chain, a Navy salvage vessel, and under an agreement with the Navy, the ship came to Woods Hole. Chain's first nine cruises at WHOI were made with an MSTS crew. In 1959, WHOI assumed operation of the vessel.

Chain made a total of 129 scientific cruises, including a cruise that took her around the world in 1970-1971. She traveled some 600,000 miles and was used in every type of ocean science. Long a favorite for her seaworthiness, Chain’'s last cruise ended in December 1975. In June 1979 the vessel was towed away for scrap.