USC&GS Explorer (1904)
The first USC&GS Explorer was a steamer that served as a survey ship in the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey from 1904 to 1939 except for a brief time in United States Navy service from 1918 to 1919 for patrol duty in Alaskan waters as USS Explorer during World War I. After initial service along the United States East Coast and off Puerto Rico, the ship transferred to Seattle, Washington in 1907 to begin survey work in Alaskan waters during summer and more southern waters along the United States West Coast in winter. On her return from the Navy in 1919, the ship was condemned and due to be sold but instead was retained as a survey vessel into the fall of 1939. After a stint with the National Youth Administration from 1939 to 1941, she saw service during World War II with the United States Army Corps of Engineers as the freight and supply ship Atkins (FS 237).
USC&GS Explorer | |
History | |
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United States | |
Name | Explorer |
Namesake | Explorer, a person who engages in the process of exploration, an activity which has some expectation of discovery |
Operator | United States Coast and Geodetic Survey |
Builder | Pusey & Jones, Wilmington, Delaware |
Yard number | 316 |
Completed | 1904 |
Acquired | 30 November 1904 |
Commissioned | 29 December 1904 |
Identification |
|
Fate | Transferred to United States Navy 3 June 1918 |
Acquired | 31 March 1919 (returned by U.S. Navy) |
Recommissioned | February 1920 |
Decommissioned | Fall 1939 |
Fate | Transferred to National Youth Administration 1939 |
United States | |
Name | Explorer |
Namesake | Previous name retained |
Operator | United States Navy |
Acquired | 22 May 1918 |
Commissioned | 3 June 1918 |
Decommissioned | 31 March 1919 |
Fate | Returned to U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey 31 March 1919 |
Notes | Operated as patrol vessel |
United States | |
Name | Explorer |
Namesake | Previous name retained |
Operator | National Youth Administration |
Acquired | 1939 |
Fate | Acquired by United States Army 1941 |
United States | |
Name | Atkins (FS 237) |
Operator | United States Army |
Acquired | 1941 |
Notes | Classified as "freight and supply ship" (FS); operated by United States Army Corps of Engineers as survey ship |
General characteristics (as Coast and Geodetic Survey survey ship in 1904) | |
Type | Survey ship |
Tonnage | 335 GRT |
Displacement | 450 tons |
Length |
|
Beam | 27 ft (8.2 m) |
Draft | 8 ft 7.5 in (2.6 m) mean at 450 ton displacement |
Depth | 14 ft 6.5 in (4.4 m) |
Propulsion | Steam engine, one shaft |
Sail plan | Schooner rig |
Speed | 10.3 knots (19.1 km/h; 11.9 mph) |
Crew | 43 (7 officers, 36 men) |