About this Unit
USS Surveyor (AGS-3) was originally built as a survey ship for the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey and launched in 1917. During World War I, she was transferred to the U.S. Navy and commissioned as USS Surveyor, serving primarily in the North Atlantic on patrol and escort duties. After the war, she returned to the Coast and Geodetic Survey, where she resumed her peacetime mission of charting Alaskan and Pacific waters. The Surveyor played a vital role in both military and scientific efforts, contributing to navigation safety and military readiness throughout her service.
Historical Facts
• Commissioned in World War I: USS Surveyor (SP-581) was originally built in 1917 as a survey ship for the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey but was commissioned into the U.S. Navy during World War I for patrol and escort duties.
• Alaskan Operations: After her naval service, Surveyor became famous for her hydrographic and mapping operations in Alaska, contributing significantly to the charting of the Alaskan coastline.
• Rescue Missions: Surveyor participated in several dramatic rescue missions in the harsh and unpredictable Alaskan waters, saving crews from shipwrecks and disasters.
• Deadly 1927 Tragedy: In 1927, three crew members died in a boat accident off the coast of Alaska, marking one of the most tragic incidents in the ship’s history. Their sacrifice is commemorated in Coast and Geodetic Survey records.
• Surveying Technology Pioneer: The vessel was equipped with cutting-edge surveying equipment for its time, helping pioneer new techniques in coastal mapping and oceanography.
• Notable Commanders: Several distinguished officers commanded Surveyor, including Rear Admiral Gilbert T. Rude, a pivotal figure in U.S. hydrography.
• WWII Service: During World War II, Surveyor continued its vital survey work, supporting Allied operations and navigation safety in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
• Natural Hazards: Surveyor regularly faced extreme weather, uncharted hazards, and dangerous ice floes, making its missions perilous and demanding extraordinary seamanship.
• Retirement and Legacy: After decades of service, Surveyor was retired in 1956, having mapped thousands of miles of the U.S. coastline and contributing greatly to maritime safety and science.
• Recognition: The legacy of USS Surveyor is honored in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and among surveyors, remembered for its role in exploration, rescue, and scientific advancement.
