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Shipboard Inertial Navigational
System Bedplate from
the USS Compass Island, AG-153 |
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Compass Island (EAG-153) was launched October 24,1953 as the "Garden
Mariner" by New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.; sponsored by Mrs. H.
A. Smith. It was acquired by the Navy 29 March 1956; and commissioned
3 December 1956, Commander J. A. Dare in command.
The first mission of Compass Island was to assist in the development and
evaluation of a navigation system independent of shore-based and celestial
aids, a necessary adjunct of the ballistic missile program. She operated
along the eastern seaboard testing equipment and training personnel until 13
March 1958 when she sailed from New York for experiments in the
Mediterranean, returning to New York 17 April to resume her east coast
operations. A dramatic example of her work was provided when Nautilus (
SSN-571 ), using the Shipboard Inertial Navigational System tested by
Compass Island, made a submerged cruise beneath the Arctic ice pack touching
exactly at the North Pole 3 August 1958. On 10 September 1958 Compass Island
entered New York Naval Shipyard for overhaul and installation of additional
navigational equipment to be tested. With this new equipment, she continued
her east coast and Caribbean cruising through 1960.
On January 25, 1980, as part of its phase-down operations, the "Compass
Island" completed operational support as a navigation test ship for the
Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Program. Its role would be assumed by the USNS
Vanguard (TAGM-19). On May 1st of 1980, the "Compass Island" was
decommissioned. She was held in reserve until 1993, when she was
transferred to the James River Reserve Fleet in Virginia until the direction
of the Maritime Administration. In 2003, she was sent to England for
scrapping.
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