USNS Bowditch (T-AGS-62)- January 08, 2018

Bowditch is the third naval ship named for the American astronomer and navigator Nathaniel Bowditch (1773-1838) who published the first edition of his work, “The New American Practical Navigator,” in 1802 — which is to this day the standard reference for merchant marine navigation.

USNS Bowditch

However, it is the first ship with the namesake that was specifically designed and constructed to serve as an oceanographic ship. The two earlier ships were constructed for other purposes and converted for oceanographic service.

Source: navy.mil
Image Source: navsource.org