About this Unit
USS Georgetown (AGTR-2/AG-165) was originally launched as a Liberty ship named SS Robert W. Hart in 1945. Acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1961, she was converted into a technical research ship, designated AGTR-2, as part of the "Liberty Ship" class conversions supporting intelligence-gathering missions during the Cold War. USS Georgetown conducted electronic surveillance and signals intelligence operations in various global regions, including the Caribbean and Mediterranean, from 1963 until her decommissioning in 1969. After her Navy service, she was struck from the Naval Vessel Register and ultimately scrapped in 1970.
Historical Facts
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Origins: USS Georgetown began her life as a Liberty Ship, originally named SS Robert W. Hart, launched in 1945 and serving as a cargo ship before her conversion to a military vessel.
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Conversion to Spy Ship: In 1963, the ship was acquired by the U.S. Navy and converted into a technical research ship (AGTR-2), equipped for signals intelligence (SIGINT) and electronic surveillance during the Cold War.
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Cuban Missile Crisis Connection: Although she was not converted in time for the Cuban Missile Crisis, ships of her class played vital roles in intelligence gathering during tense periods with Cuba.
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Namesake: USS Georgetown was named after Georgetown, the county seat of Georgetown County, South Carolina, honoring the city’s contributions to the nation.
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Service Area: The ship operated primarily in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and with occasional forays into the Mediterranean, gathering intelligence on Soviet and Cuban communications.
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Nickname: Like other AGTRs, she was sometimes referred to as a “spook ship” due to her secretive and mysterious intelligence-gathering missions.
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Crew and Specialists: Georgetown’s complement included not only U.S. Navy sailors but also a large contingent of linguists, cryptologists, and National Security Agency (NSA) personnel.
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Onboard Technology: The ship bristled with antennas, dishes, and electronic equipment, making her silhouette distinctive and instantly recognizable to those in the know.
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Humanitarian Role: When not on intelligence missions, USS Georgetown participated in search and rescue operations and provided assistance to vessels in distress in the Caribbean.
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End of Service: After only a few years in her intelligence-gathering role, USS Georgetown was decommissioned in 1969 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1970, ending her unique chapter in Cold War history.
