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Patrol Yacht Photo Archive

USC&GS Hydrographer (MSS 19)
ex-USS Hydrographer (AGS 2)



Call sign:
Nan - Charlie - Charlie - Xray

ex-Hydrographer (PY 30)



Call sign:
Nan - Baker - Victor - Sugar


Hydrographer served both the Coast and Geodetic Survey and the U. S. Navy

Patrol Yacht:

  • The second Hydrographer was built in 1928 by Spear Engine Works, Norfolk, VA
  • Classified as a Patrol Yacht and designated PY-30
  • Operated by the Coast and Geodetic Survey as a Survey Ship
  • Acquired by the Navy 4 April 1942
  • Commissioned USS Hydrographer (AGS 2), 20 May 1942 at Mobile, AL
  • Hydrographer received three battle stars on her Asiatic Pacific Service Medal for participation in the following operations:
    Operation Land Crab (Attu, Alaska Landings 11 - 30 May 1943)
    Operation Cottage (Kiska, Alaska Landings 15 August 1943), and
    Operation Forager (Marianas and Palau Campaign September - November 1944)
  • Decommissioned 1 July 1946 at Norfolk and returned to the Coast and Geodetic Survey
  • Reclassified as a Medium Survey Ship, MSS-19
  • Decommissioned in 1967
  • Fate unknown.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 1,044 t.
  • Length 164' 11"
  • Beam 31' 6"
  • Draft 11' 6"
  • Speed 10 kts.
  • Complement 92
  • Armament: Two 3"/50 dual purpose gun mounts, two twin 20mm mounts and one 40mm mount
  • Propulsion: One 650shp diesel-electric drive engine, one shaft.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    USC&GS Hydrographer
    Hydrographer 19k
    Namesake:

    Hydrographer - One versed in the science of determining and making known the conditions of navigable waters, charting coasts, and surveying rivers

    		 Tommy Trampp
    Hydrographer 211k NOAA website
    Hydrographer 296k
    Hydrographer 151 c. 1942
    Pensacola Bay, FL
    Prior to her commissioning
    University Archives photo WF1455559038 from the West Florida History Center    		 David Upton
    Photo added 3 November 2021
    USS Hydrographer (AGS 2)
    Hydrographer 211k c. 1942
    U. S. Navy photo NH 82199    		 Naval History and Heritage Command
    Hydrographer 211k 8 March 1943
    Kodiak, Alaska
    National Archives photo 80-G-79639
    USC&GS Hydrographer (MSS 19)
    Hydrographer 296k
    Hydrographer 296k
    Hydrographer 296k
    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR George C. Mattison, USC&GS1939 - 1941
    01CDR William M. Scaife, USC&GS - Awarded the Legion of Merit (1943) and Bronze Star (1943)20 May 1942 - 31 January 1945
    02CDR William M. Gibson, USC&GS31 January 1945 - 1 July 1946
    Courtesy Joe Radigan
    View the Hydrographer (AGS 2)
    DANFS History entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command Website
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    This page created by Gary P. Priolo and maintained by Tom Bateman
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