USC&GS Hydrographer (MSS 19)

The Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship Hydrographer in Naval service as USS Hydrographer (AGS-2). (Image ID: ship0217, NOAA's Fleet Then and Now - Sailing for Science Collection)
History
United States
Name:	USS Hydrogapher (AGS-2)
Namesake:	Hydrographer
Builder:	Spear Engine Works
Launched:	1928
Acquired:	April 1942
Commissioned:	20 May 1942
Decommissioned:	1 July 1946
Reclassified:	AGS-2 20 May 1942
Refit:	Choctaw Boat Works May 1942
Honors and awards:	Three battle stars
Fate:	Returned to the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey
General characteristics
Displacement:	1,044 tons (full)
Length:	164 ft 11 in (50.27 m)
Beam:	31 ft 6 in (9.60 m)
Draft:	11 ft 6 in (3.51 m)
Speed:	10 kn (19 km/h)
Armament:	2 x 3"

The USS Hydrographer (AGS-2), briefly classified PY-30 before commissioning, was built in 1928 by the Spear Engine Works in Norfolk, Virginia, and operated as a survey ship along the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean for the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. Acquired by the US Navy in April 1942, she was converted for US Navy service by the Choctaw Boat Works in Alabama and commissioned as AGS-2 at Mobile, Alabama on 20 May 1942, with Commander W. M. Scaife, USCGS, in command.

Immediately after commissioning, Hydrographer steamed to Newfoundland, where she spent the remainder of 1942 charting the approaches and harbor to the important Allied base at Argentia. She returned to the Norfolk Navy Yard 7 November 1942; and, after alterations to fit her for duty in the Pacific, sailed 30 December for San Diego, via the Canal Zone. The survey ship got underway 26 February 1943 for Atka Island, in the Aleutians, and arrived 22 March to carry out a survey of Korovin Bay, in preparation for the spring offensive to come. In April she moved to Adak for more survey work.

As combined forces moved on Attu 11 May, Hydrographer moved into the assault area. Steaming into Massacre Bay 12 May, she sent out survey parties to outline transport anchorages and chart shoals. Late in May, she landed parties on tiny Shemya Island to begin work on a bomber strip, after which she returned to Adak. Hydrographer also took part in the occupation of Kiska, sailing 13 August and reaching the island 2 days later, only to find that the Japanese had completely evacuated. With the Aleutians secured, the ship continued her survey and sounding work until returning San Diego 22 September 1943.