HMNZS Endeavour (ex-USSNamakagon) departed San Francisco in October, 1962 and arrived in Auckland via Pearl Harbor the following month. Work to complete her Antarctic conversion then began at Devonport dockyard.
Having completed her refit she sailed for McMurdo Sound on 10th December, 1962, via southern ports, on the first of two voyages to the ice in her first Antarctic season. Endeavour completed two similar voyages south each season, between December and March, over the next six years. She then completed one each in her last two seasons. Her last voyage to the ice was January-February 1971, returning to Auckland via Lyttelton on 18 March, 1971.
Endeavour undertook many DSIR oceanographic voyages into southern waters including one in April-May 1963, where she spent 42 days continuously at sea, travelling 6,950 miles. She also completed scientific cruises into the Pacific, and trips to supply the Raoul and Campbell Island weather stations when required. Endeavour also participated in training exercises and search and rescue operations.
In 1971, Defence economy measures brought about her early withdrawal from service. She was decommissioned for return to the US Navy. In a formal double ceremony at Devonport in June 1971, she was handed back to the US Navy returning briefly (for only five minutes) to her former name Namakagon. She was then handed over on lease to the Navy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and immediately renamed Lung Chuan (AOG515) sailing from Auckland in July, 1971 for Taiwan.