'' Opportune '' performed missions of international goodwill and mercy on her first European cruise ( April – June 1960 ) . She escorted two Iranian ships to the entrance of the Mediterranean , then sailed directly to Agadir , Morocco , where she delivered 50 tons of clothing donated by the Navy for victims of the recent earthquake . Princess Lasla Aisha , sister of the King of Morocco , came on board to thank '' Opportune '' for her aid . A second European cruise ( May – June 1961 ) represented a major contribution to the strengthening of the Navy 's power to keep peace . '' Opportune ’s '' captain , Lt. Comdr. Thomas F. Byrnes , Jr. , took command of a task group which included four Navy and two civilian tugs . The assignment : tow to the Polaris Submarine Base at Holy Loch , Scotland , four large sections of '' AFDB – 7 '' , an enormous floating drydock . The 4,400-mile passage began at Mayport , Florida , and took 32 days at sea at an average speed of 5.9 knots . This difficult mission accomplished , Opportune visited Belfast , Northern Ireland , before returning to Norfolk 23 June
earthquake
1960 Agadir earthquake
USS Opportune (ARS-41)