US Coast and Geodetic Survey

• Origins in the 19th Century: The US Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS) was established in 1807 by President Thomas Jefferson, making it the United States’ oldest scientific organization. • Military Contributions: During the Civil War, World War I, and World War II, USC&GS personnel and ships were placed under the direction of the US Army and Navy, providing vital mapping, charting, and reconnaissance support. • Surveying the Whole Coast: The original mission was to survey the coasts of the United States, which grew to include all navigable waters and much of the interior as new states joined the Union. • First Use of Triangulation: The Survey pioneered the use of triangulation in America, a technique still used in modern geodesy and mapping. • Involvement in D-Day: During the Normandy landings in WWII, USC&GS officers participated in the mapping and reconnaissance of the beaches, critical for Allied planning and success. • Disaster Response: USC&GS was often called upon to respond to natural disasters, such as the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, providing maps and scientific expertise for recovery efforts. • Pioneers in Oceanography: The agency conducted some of the earliest systematic oceanographic surveys, including mapping the Gulf Stream and continental shelf. • Transition to NOAA: In 1970, the Survey became part of the newly formed National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), continuing its legacy in science and service. • Secret Agents: During WWII, some USC&GS officers worked undercover, producing clandestine maps and gathering intelligence for the US military. • Notable Leaders: Ferdinand Hassler, the first Superintendent, was a Swiss immigrant and a mathematician who set the scientific standards for US surveying and mapping for decades.