Lifesaving

October 12, 1856
“The schooner MEREDITH, being at anchor in Portland harbor on the morning of the 12th of October, was happily the means of saving the lives of some fishermen, whose boat was swamped in the attempt to reach their own vessel. The sailing master of the MEREDITH, Mr. John T. Hopes, with one of the hands, promptly pulled out and fortunately succeeded in their rescue.” p. 32. 1856 Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey.

May 1888
“The Steamer PATTERSON left San Francisco May 4, 1888, for Alaska, with the new steam launch COSMOS in tow. In immediate command of the COSMOS was Ensign A.P. Niblack. While passing through a severe gale, on May 5, off Cape Gregory (Cape Arago), the hawser used in towing the COSMOS snapped, and the two vessels parted company. The PATTERSON reached Port Townsend on May 11. When the hawser broke, one of the firemen on the COSMOS was disabled, and while crossing the bar of the Columbia River through three miles of breakers, a heavy sea made a clean breach through the deck-house, flooded the engine room and galley, broke the water gauge and stopped the engine. The machinist Maurice Golden, though bruised and stunned, stuck to his post, and by his coolness and braveryfurther damage to the launch was prevented, and she was enabled to steamunder the lee of a pilot tug and so was shielded from the terrible forceof the seas. At Astoria every assistance was rendered by the Commanding Officer of the Steamer McARTHUR, and on the morning of the 11th the COSMOS followed that vessel across the bar. That evening, off Destruction Island, a fishing schooner was sighted showing signals ofdistress. She had on board the shipwrecked crew of the fourmasted ship OCEAN KING. The captain, two mates, and crew of 22 men were taken off by the COSMOS and landed at Port Townsend, which place she reached on the night of May 12.”

June 9, 1912
A launch from Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship EXPLORER rescued 26 students from a burning launch in Seattle Harbor. News Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, No. 101, p. 696. August 17, 1912.

October 15-16, 1912
Volunteer boat crew from Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer PATHFINDER rendered heroic rescues of other shipwrecked sailors during typhoon while anchored at Cebu. In another incident, the ship towed the steamer LIZARRAGA to a safe anchorage after it was sighted in distress. News Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, p. 720, No. 103. December 18, 1912.

October 1914
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer PATTERSON under James Blaine Miller started from Unalaska Sept. 22, 1914 for the west end of Aggatu Island and arrived September 28 to rescue 29 members of the Coast Guard Vessel TAHOMA, which had been wrecked and sunk on an uncharted reef now known as Tahoma Reef. The PATTERSON arrived back at Unalaska on October 3. This was an extremely risky trip for the PATTERSON as it was then a quite old ship and it was getting late in the year to be making trips into some of the stormiest waters on earth. News Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, No. 121, p. 859. October 28, 1914.

June 23-24 1916
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer PATHFINDER, H.C. Denson Commanding, rescued 50 passengers and crew from the Spanish Royal Mail Line steamer FERNANDO POO, wrecked in the Sulu Sea near the island of Tubbataha. The PATHFINDER was 180 miles away on the coast of Palawan when it received the S.O.S. on wireless at 1130 P.M. It was the closest vessel with wireless and left immediately from its working grounds picking its way through intricate reefs at night. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 15, p. 5. August 1916.

August 17, 1916
The officers and crew of the Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer PATTERSON operating near Kashevarof Passage, southeast Alaska, were called upon to assist in reviving 5 crew members of the cannery tender MARY MAHONEY who had been overcome by fumes. The men administered artificial respiration in which they had been recently drilled by ship’s physician, Dr. Marchand, and succeeded in reviving two of the five men. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 16, p. 3. September 1916.

March 22, 1917
A boat crew from the Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer BACHE rescued from drowning and resuscitated a British seamen who had fallen overboard from British steamship KELVINBRAE at Savannah. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 23, p. 1-2. April 1917.

September 9, 1919
Mate O. M. Straube saves HYDROGRAPHER from significant damage after being blown aground during hurricane in Florida Keys. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 52, p. 1. September 1919.

June 16, 1935
Charles E. Bones (Jones?), seaman on the Ship EXPLORER, while alone on a launch of the vessel, rescued four persons from drowning. They had been clinging to their overturned boat in the swift waters and eddies of the Narrows of Puget Sound for about 30 minutes and were thoroughly exhausted when pulled from the water. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 241, p. 8. October 1935.

June 29, 1936
On the evening of June 29, two youths were rescued from an overturned sailboat in Puget Sound after being in water for an hour by the Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship EXPLORER. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 254, p. 8. July 1936.

Protection of Property

July 20, 1850
Assisting vessel in distress -- “The steamer JEFFERSON, Lieutenant Commanding Thornton A. Jenkins, having been rendered tolerably efficient by the application of a part of the appropriation made for repairs of steam vessels, left Norfolk on the 20th of July, for the survey of Hatteras shoals and cove, and the continuation of the exploration of the Gulf Stream. The day after, meeting the BENJAMIN CARVER of Sears point, Maine, which had been injured in the violent gales of July 16th and 18th, she towed her into port.” p. 31. 1850 Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey.

1855
Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer HETZEL assisting passengers and crew in distress -- “... the continued operations of this party in the vicinity of numerous shoals and dangers has afforded occasion to render important incidental services to vessels navigating the lower part of Chesapeake bay. Three instances of this kind have occurred within the present season. The schooners JANE BRINDLE and DAVID COX having grounded on the Hampton bar, and the schooner ARNO on Willoughby's bank, were worked off by parties of officers and men from the HETZEL. The ARNO had hoisted signals of distress, and was relieved with considerable difficulty and some delay. Lieut. Comg. Almy remarks in reference to these and other cases ‘It is often in my power, and I deem it my duty, to go to the relief of vessels in danger when I can do so consistently with the discharge of other duties devolved upon me’.” p. 52, 1855 Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey.

December 22, 1855
Protecting a town from fire -- “On the night of December 22, 1855, a fire occurred at Beaufort, S.C., which threatened destruction to the town. By the exertions of Lieut. Braine and the officers and crew of the schooner BANCROFT, in common with others, the danger was happily arrested. The thanks of the citizens were tendered, through Lieut. Comg. Maffitt, to the officers who so promptly assisted in the emergency.” p. 59. 1856 Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey.

August 14, 1856
Rescuing a ship in peril -- “Lieut. Comg. Trenchard, on reaching Cape Ann in the steamer VIXEN, on the morning of the 14th of August, fortunately fell in with the British barque ADIEU, then in a sinking condition, off the Salvages, and towed that vessel safely to port. The service so promptly and opportunely rendered by himself and the officers and crew of his command, were cordially acknowledged by the British consul at Boston, and by the parties interested in the vessel thus rescued by the VIXEN from the most imminent peril.” p. 35. 1856 Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey.

August 14, 1856
Rescuing a ship in peril -- “I have the honor to report that at noon to-day, in passing the Sunken Salvages, we fell in with the British barque ADIEU, from Glasgow, bound to Boston, laden with railroad iron and sugar, and in a sinking condition -- her officers and crew much exhausted from constant labor at the pumps. I placed Mr. Morrison, master, U.S.N., and a party of men on board the barque -- with buckets &c., took her in tow, and succeeded in bringing her in safety to this port. [Gloucester]

“Great credit is due to the efficient services and strenuous efforts of Mr. Morrison and his party, through whose exertions, by pumping and bailing, the Adieu was kept afloat until towed by the Vixen into port.” Appendix No. 69. Letters to the secretary of the Treasury, transmitting a communication from Lieut. Comg. S.D. Trenchard, U.S.N., Assistant in the Coast Survey, relative to the rescue, by his party, of the British barque “Adieu”.... Letter from Trenchard to Bache dated August 14, 1856, from Gloucester, Mass. 1856 Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey.

December 1856
Assisting passengers and crew in distress -- “By request of the United States consul, at Nassau, New Providence, Lieutenant Commanding J.K. Duer, U.S.N., assistant Coast Survey, in the surveying schooner VARINA, took on board the crew and steerage passengers of the ship JULIA HOWARD, wrecked on the Bahamas, landing the former at Havana, and the latter at Pensacola....” p. 37. 1857 Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey.

December 1856
Assisting passengers and crew in distress -- “On the southern passage from New York, at the outset of the season, the schooner VARINA touched at New Providence, and at the request of the United States vice consul at Nassau Lieut. Comg. Duer received on board his vessel the crew and steerage passengers of the American ship JULIA HOWARD, which had been, a short time previous to his arrival, lost on the Bahama banks. No provision existing at the consulates to meet such cases, the destitute passengers, and such of the crew as desired it, were taken in the VARINA to Pensacola.... p. 93. 1857 Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey.

A complete description of the VARINA incident is found in Appendix No. 54, Letter of Lieut. Comg. J.K. Duer, U.S.N., Assistant Coast Survey, and correspondence showing the action taken by him, at the request of the United States consul at Havana, relative to the crew and passengers of the American ship JULIA HOWARD, wrecked on the Bahama bank. pp. 436-437. 1857. This incident occurred in December, 1856.

February 1858
Assisting passengers in distress -- “In February Lieut. Comg. Duer was applied to for assistance by the consignees of the schooner GEORGIA, stranded some days previously about thirty miles from Pensacola. The party proceeded in the VARINA to the wreck, and united in the efforts made to relieve her, but these proved unavailing without the employment of means inconsistent with the duties of the season.” p. 93. 1857 Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey.

January 20, 1858
Protecting an Army fort from fire -- “While the hydrographic work at Pensacola was in progress a fire occurred at Fort Pickens; the officers and crew of the VARINA promptly co-operated in the measures taken to stop the destruction of property, and the service so rendered by the party was acknowledged in a communication addressed to Lieut. Comg. Duer by Captain John Newton, of the Corps of Engineers, commanding the harbor.” p. 93. 1857 Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey.

1856-1857
Assisting a vessel in distress -- “During the past year Commander W.T. Muse, in the surveying steamer HETZEL, relieved the ship MANLIUS, of Boston, when in a sinking condition off Cape Henry; two of his lieutenants and crew being sent on board of her. In testimony of their appreciation of this service, the owners of the vessel presented, through the Treasury Department, to Lieutenants R.D. Minor and Bayard E. Hand, U.S.N., each a gold chronometer watch, and forwarded at the same time a contribution in money, which was divided amongst the crew engaged in the relief of their ship....” p. 37. 1857 Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey. A complete description of the HETZEL rescue is found in Appendix No. 53, Reports of Commander W.T. Muse and Lieutenant R.D. Minor, U.S.N., Assistants in the Coast Survey, on the rescue of the American ship MANLIUS from sinking near Cape Henry by the officers and crew of the Coast Survey steamer HETZEL. pp. 434-436. 1857 Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey. This incident occurred the same day that Commander Muse took command. He and Lieutenant Minor each received chronometer watches from the shipping company while the crew received $480 to be divided among the crew members sent to the assistance of the MANLIUS.

January 20, 1858
Protecting an Army fort from fire -- “While detained at Pensacola, assistance was rendered by Commander Sands, with the men and boats of the steamer WALKER, on the occasion of a fire which happened at Fort Pickens on the night of the 20th of January. On the day following the accident, a communication was addressed to him by Captain John Newton, corps of U.S. engineers, commanding the harbor of Pensacola, in acknowledgment of the obligation to the officers and crew, who, in conjunction with the hydrographic party in the C.S. schooner VARINA, had promptly repaired to the scene of the disaster.” p. 102. 1857 Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey.

December 10, 1857
The triangulation party in the schooner HASSLER resumed operations in the field on the 10th of December.... He [Evans] immediately pushed a reconnaissance for extending the work so as to connect with the triangulation of Sapelo sound.... While engaged with his party Lieut. Evans seized the occasion of rendering assistance to the ship MACKINAW when ashore on the Ossabaw bar. Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey for the Year 1858. p. 71.

March 1859
In March, while the party was employed near Apalachicola, assistance was rendered to the schooner LUCY WELTHAM, of Wilmington, N.C., which had gone ashore on the east bank of the West Pass. Similar service was afforded from the VIXEN to the mail steamer GALVESTON in June, when grounded on the east side of the entrance to Apalachicola harbor.” Report of the Superintendent for the Year 1859. p. 86.

September 3, 1859
“Your promptness in answering a request to tow the United States ship CUMBERLAND from the lower harbor to this navy yard on the 3rd ultimo calls forth my acknowledgment and thanks, and I trust that your action will be approved by the Superintendent of the Coast Survey. Had you not rendered the assistance you did in towing up the Cumberland that vessel would have been detained by head winds five or six days in the lower harbor.” Appendix No. 37. Letter of Captain John Pope, U.S.N., commandant at Portsmouth navy yard, addressed to Lieut. Comg. Alex'r Murray, U.S.N., Assistant Coast Survey, on the occasion of service rendered by the C.S. steamer BIBB. Written from U.S.Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H., October 1, 1859. Report of the Superintendent for the Year 1859. p. 367.

February 17, 1859
Sir permit me thus to acknowledge the great service I have received from the Coast Survey, through the kindness of Mr. C.O. Boutelle, chief of the party encamped at Land’s End, mouth of Beaufort river, South Carolina, who volunteered his services, and handsomely piloted this ship up to within four and a half miles of the town of Beaufort and down again; and continued to extend every assistance and courtesy in his power during our stay in these waters.” Appendix No. 38. Letter addressed to the Superintendent by Captain David G. Farragut, U.S.N., on visiting Beaufort river, South Carolina, with the United States steamship Brooklyn. Written on the United States Sloop-of-War Brooklyn at Beaufort Roads, South Carolina, February 17, 1859. 1859. [This was a forerunner of Boutelle’s role at the Battle of Port Royal two years later in which Boutelle was the chief pilot taking Union vessels into Port Royal Sound.]

February 21, 1860
“On the morning of the 21st of February the Russian bark VESTA ran on the north breaker at Ossabaw entrance and was wrecked. Her officers and crew were received and sheltered for the night in the VARINA, and by the co-operation of Lieut. Comg. Fauntleroy and his party the cargo and stores of the vessel were ultimately saved to the owners. These services have been acknowledged in suitable terms, addressed to the chief of party, by the Russian vice-consul at Savannah.” Report of the Superintendent for the Year 1860. p. 62.

“After the return of the steamer CORWIN to Key West, Lieut. Comg.Wilkinson, on being applied to by the agent of underwriters, went to the assistance of the American ship SARAH G. HYDE, and found her water-logged and unmanageable, about thirty miles to the westward of the Marquesas. The vessel was towed by the CORWIN into Key West harbor.” Report of the Superintendent for the Year 1860. p. 71.

January 1860
“While at Apalachicola in January, Lieut. Comg. Phelps, on being applied to by the captain of the bark GLEANER, of Yarmouth, Me., promptly went to the relief of that vessel, the cargo of which had taken fire while she was lying at the East Pass. The steamer VIXEN remained in company all night, but the bark having been scuttled and the fire in her hold thereby extinguished, the steamer returned the next day to her working ground. “The officers and crew of the VIXEN also rendered effective assistance in stopping the ravages of a fire which broke out in Apalachicola on the morning of the 2d of February. Liberal acknowledgment of this aid has been made by the press of that city.” Report of the Superintendent for the Year 1860. Pp. 82-83. [This was T.S. Phelps, and not Samuel.]

August 1901
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer BLAKE rescued a schooner and then a crew from the Life Saving Station that was lost in the fog attempting to reach the schooner in Nantucket Sound.
Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, August 31, 1901. P. 23.

October 1903
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer GEDNEY found the Steamer FARALLON anchored in Frederick Sound with a broken shaft. More than 100 passengers were on board. The GEDNEY towed the ship to Touka Cannery in Wrangell Narrows where she transferred passengers and got assistance. News Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, p. 143, October 29, 1903.

December 7, 1909
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer BACHE towed the disabled three masted schooner NAT REEDER into port. News Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, p. 562, No. 85. January 11, 1910.

December 15, 1909
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer McARTHUR hauled the passenger steamer “FLEETWOOD” off the ground in Grays Harbor, Washington. News Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, p. 562, No. 85. January 11, 1910.

March 21, 1910
Assistance rendered to keepers of Tanguingui Light, Philippine Islands by Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer PATHFINDER. The keepers had been out of provisions for two days and were provided with rice, coffee, and sugar. News Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, p. 598, No. 89. August 12, 1910.

August 1912
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer HYDROGRAPHER pulled the schooner ESTRELLA off of a mud flat on which it had grounded. News Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, p. 695, No. 101. August 17, 1912.

Summer 1912
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer YUKON rendered assistance to inhabitants of Kodiak following eruption of Mount Katmai. News Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, p. 696, No. 101. August 17, 1912.

November 25, 1912
Captain Steirnagle, Chief Officer Grayson, and Chief Engineer Hutchinson from the Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship RESEARCH extinguished a fire on a tugboat at Engineer’s Island, Manila. News Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, p. 725, No. 104. February 18, 1913.

April 29-30, 1913
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship GEDNEY, the Launch COSMOS, and Launch 117 helped pull the Pacific coast Steamship Co. ship CURACAO off Boulder spit on Fish Egg Island, Alaska. News Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, No. 106., p. 743. June 4, 1913.

June 21, 1913
The SS CURACAO was wrecked at Tonawek Bay June 21st on uncharted rock. The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer GEDNEY rescued passengers and crew and took them to Ketchikan 140 miles distant. This was the same ship that the GEDNEY helped in April. News Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, No. 107, p. 748. July 15, 1913.

February 8, 1914
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer HYDROGRAPHER assisted the U. S. Navy Torpedo Boat FOOTE off of a shoal in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina. A navigator was provided to assist the FOOTE in transiting the sound and proceed from Elizabeth City to Washington, North Carolina. News Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, No. 113, p. 799. February 28, 1914.

May 30, 1914
Coast and Geodetic Steamer McARTHUR rendered assistance to the barge BLANCHE of the Ketchikan, Power Co. and kept it from sinking as seas were breaking over it and water was running in through opened seams faster than it could be pumped out by equipment on board. News Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, No. 118, p. 841. July 28, 1914.

July 25, 1914
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer ENDEAVOR assisted Lighthouse Tender IRIS after she had been driven aground near Lewes Delaware. News Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, No. 120, p. 851. September 28, 1914.

January 16, 1915
While assisting in extinguishing fire on docks in Seattle GEDNEY suffered slight damage. EXPLORER, which had steam up, towed the GEDNEY and MCARTHUR to a safe location. News Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, No. 124, p. 879. January 28, 1915.

February 28, 1915
Officers and crew of the Coast and Geodetic Survey Schooner MATCHLESS, O.W. Ferguson commanding, helped put out a fire on Main Street, Edenton, N.C. News Bulletin of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, No. 126, p. 903. March 28, 1915.

May 28, 1915
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer PATHFINDER towed the four-masted schooner ALPENE to a safe location for repairs after the schooner was disabled off the entrance to San Bernardino Straits, Philippine Islands. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 2, p. 4. November 1915.

June 12, 1915
Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer GEDNEY assisted the fishing schooner POLARIS off Klawack Reef at the north end of Fish Egg Island, Alaska.. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 3, p. 2. August 1915.

April 28, 1916
Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer ISIS assisted the launch NORTH STAR in Charleston Harbor. The NORTH STAR was swamping because of being overloaded in a light choppy sea. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 12, p. 5. May 1916.

August 16, 1916
P.C. Whitney, Commanding Officer, reported that Mate Howes and Deck Officer Plunkett of the Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship BACHE rescued a lady and a small boy adrift in a skiff on Lynnhaven Bay on August 16. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 15, p. 3. August 1916.

October 21, 1916
On October 21, 1916, the Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer MARINDUQUE assisted the schooner FLORENCE. She was in distress with sails blown away, part of rigging gone, and food and water low. The MARINDUQUE towed the FLORENCE to Coron, thence took the captain to Manila. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 19, p. 9. December 1916.

December 3, 1916
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer ROMBLON rescued two men who had been blown offshore in a banca attempting to cross from Cuyo Island to Biscuay Island. The ROMBLON searched for them, found them on Capnoyan Island, and then returned them to their homes on Cuyo Island. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 21, p.4- 5. February 1917.

February 18, 1917
Gilbert Rude, Commanding Officer of the Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer ISIS, reported giving aid to the yacht SONCY at Savannah during a fire on the waterfront. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 21, p. 4. February 1917.

April 28, 1917
The officers and crew of the Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship ISIS assisted in putting out a fire on the steam schooner ROSALIE MAHONEY in the St. Johns, River, Florida. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 24, p. 3. May 1917.

July 28, 1917
A field party on the charter survey launch PILOT towed the schooner EMMA R. POTTER off a shoal near Sakonnet Harbor, Rhode Island. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 27, p. 1. August 1917.

August 15, 1917
A survey launch from the Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship BACHE aided a broken down launch from the U.S.S. VESTAL off Sewalls Point, Norfolk, Virginia. The survey launch towed the Navy launch back to the VESTAL and then ran a liberty launch schedule for the naval vessel. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 27, p. 1. August 1917.

September 15, 1917
Three launches from the Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer HYDROGRAPHER assisted a schooner aground at Loggerhead Key, Florida. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 29, p. 1. October 1917.

September 16, 1917
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Schooner MATCHLESS helped the steamer WHITE WINGS off a shoal . Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 29, p. 1. October 1917.

September 22, 1917
A launch from the Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer BACHE rescued the crew of a hydroplane (float plane?) which had “fallen into the water” (crashed??). Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 29, p. 1. October 1917.

December 10, 1917
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer HYDROGRAPHER pulled the yacht NAYEDA off a shoal at Pass Aux Herons. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 31, p. 2. December 1917.

October 12, 1918
Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship ROMBLON towed the disabled SS PALAWAN from off the entrance to Manila Bay to Manila Harbor. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 42, p.3. November 1918.

February 6, 1920
Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer BACHE renders assistance to SS MACOMET aground off Pensacola. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 57, p. 6. February 1920.

Aug. 7, 1921
Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship LYDONIA assisted in helping survivors and searching for bodies in wreck of SS ALASKA on Blunt's Reef, northern California. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 75, p. 2. August 1921.

Feb. 16, 1922
Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer HYDROGRAPHER tows gas launch EDNA G into port at Gulfport, Mississippi. The EDNA G was disabled in heavy seas. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 81, p. 1. February 1922.

Feb. 21, 1922
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer BACHE helped M/V AFOUNDRIA refloat from grounding near Gulfport, Mississippi. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 81, p. 2. February 1922.

June 28, 1922
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship RANGER and the Coast and Geodetic Survey Launch MARINDIN made search for survivors of schooner Rose Standish which burned off Morro Point Light, Puerto Rico, although none were found. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 86, p. 1. July 1922.

June 1923
Aid was rendered to U.S.S. CARDINAL which had grounded on the east coast of Chirikof Island by the Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship DISCOVERER. The DISCOVERER removed the crew and transferred them to the U.S.S. CUYAMA. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 97, p. 2. June 1923.

June 9, 1923
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Launch WILDCAT helped float M/S ANVIL which had run aground in Isanotski Strait. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 99, p.2. August 1923.

June 22, 1923
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship HYDROGRAPHER went to the assistance of the schooner W.J. PATTERSON which was on fire off Sabine Pass, Texas. The HYDROGRAPHER fought the fire for over three hours and supplied a hose crew for the S.S. HUDSON. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 97, p. 2-3. June 1923.

August 29, 1924
After a hurricane passed over the United States Virgin Islands, the Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship RANGER did humanitarian work, primarily transporting rescue personnel to outlying islands from St. Thomas. A letter of thank you was received from the Governor of the Virgin Islands. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 112, p. 2. September 1924.

December 10-11, 1924
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Launches MARINDIN and MITCHELL aided a Marine Corps 50-foot motor sailer that had gone aground by pulling it off the rocks and towing it to the Marine Corps boathouse at St. Thomas. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 115, p. 3. December 1924.

Sept 30, 1926
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer BACHE assisted the yacht LOANTAKA during a hurricane at St. Petersburg, Florida, while both were tied up. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 136, p 1. September 1926.

Jan. 17, 1927
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer LYDONIA assisted Coast Guard Cutter MODOC which was aground at the entrance to Cape Fear River. The LYDONIA assisted in floating the cutter while assisting a tug at high tide. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 140, p. 1. January 1927.

April 25, 1927
Joan Petterson and Albert J. Hoskinson proceeded to Memphis, Tennessee, to help distressed flood sufferers during the great Mississippi River flood of 1927. Also H. Arnold Karo, F. L. Chamberlain, R.E. Crosby, and V.L. Parsons from the Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer BACHE were detailed to Memphis to assist with flood rescue and logistics duty on April 26. Officers and crew from the Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamers LYDONIA and HYDROGRAPHER were also sent the following month. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 144, p.7. April 1927.

June 3-5, 1927
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship GUIDE stood by and pumped water into the lumber schooner CITY OF NOME and helped retard a fire sufficiently to help salvage the cargo. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 145, p. 1. June 1927.

July 7, 1927
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer MARINDUQUE helped the British steamer PAIPENG which was aground on Cap Island, Philppine Islands. The MARINDUQUE took off the majority of passengers and transported them to Jolo. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 148, p. 7. September 1927.

August 30, 1927
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer EXPLORER assisted Canadian Pacific steamer PRINCESS CHARLOTTE which was drifting helplessly by transporting 269 passengers and 7 crew to Wrangell then stood by to assist in docking ship which was towed to Wrangell by another vessel. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 148, p. 7. September 1927.

February 28, 1928
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship RANGER assisted gasoline launch on fire off Miami. The RANGER’s equipment put out the fire so that the launch could be salvaged. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 154, p. 1. March 1928.

June 1928
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer EXPLORER rendered assistance to town of Killisnoo, Alaska, which was destroyed by fire. Killisnoo is in the vicinity of Sitka. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 157, p. 2. June 1928.

May 25, 1929
The Steamer ALEUTIAN struck a rock and sank in Uyak Bay, Alaska. The C&GS Ship
SURVEYOR picked up all passengers and crew, about 150 in number, and
transported them to Seward, Alaska. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 168, p. 9. May 1929.

August 1929
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer EXPLORER rendered assistance to a fishing boat with broken crank shaft in southeast Alaskan waters. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 171, p. 1. August 1929.

September 7, 1929
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship SURVEYOR rendered assistance to the steamer GOLDEN FOREST which was wrecked on Cape Ilktugitak. The wreck was located by radio compass bearings - two men were transferred to the SURVEYOR for medical treatment. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 173, p. 1. October 1929.

September 28, 1929
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer EXPLORER towed a disabled launch to Wrangell. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 173, p. 1. October 1929.

December 9-10, 1930
Details of the rescue by the Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship FATHOMER of 45 men of the Japanese vessel KENKYU MARU on the west coast of Palawan, Philippine Islands. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 176, p. 9. January 1930.

June 30, 1930 No. 181
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship DISCOVERER lent assistance to the Alaska Steamship Co. steamship ORDUNA which was aground at Granite Mine, Port Wells, Prince William Sound. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 181, p. 7. June 1930.

June 24, 1930
Launch No. 69 off of Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship EXPLORER towed a 30-foot launch from Tongass Narrows to Ketchikan. This launch had been adrift for two days with two men and a woman aboard. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 182, p. 7. July 1930.

August 17, 1930
Wiredrag launches of B.H. Rigg refloated yacht PRIVATEER after it had gone aground in Long Island Sound. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 183, p. 6. August 1930.

July 12, 1932
Chartered Launch VIRGINIA under Robert Knox picked up skiff containing nine men from purse seiner EMPEROR which had been abandoned in sinking condition near the Santa Barbara Island, California. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 206, p.10. July 1932.

February 4, 1933
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship GUIDE rendered assistance to the fishing boat GIUSEPPINA in Monterey Bay. It had broken down with engine trouble. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 214, p. 9. March 1933.

August 23, 1931
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamers OCEANOGRAPHER, LYDONIA, and GILBERT handled considerable radio traffic for Norfolk during hurricane of Aug. 23. H.A. Seran, the commanding officer of the OCEANOGRAPHER, reported that the radio plant of the ship was for a time during the height of the hurricane of Aug. 23, the only means of communication from Norfolk, Va., to points outside. During this time all traffic was handled for the Navy, as well as for the commercial companies. This hurricane caused record high water in many localities - Washington 8.0 feet, Baltimore 7.1 feet, Annapolis 5.9 feet, Philadelphia 4.8 feet. Perrin, VA., York River 7.9 feet. All above mean high water. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 219, p. 8, August 1933.

October 29, 1933
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship FATHOMER pulled the Philippine Dutch Co. ship BOYNAIN off a reef near Arrecife Island, Palawan, Philippine Islands. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 222, p. 11. November 1933.

July 31, 1934
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship SURVEYOR assisted the S.S. OTSEGO which had grounded off Cape Mordvinof, Alaska. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 232, p. 2. Sept 1934.

November 28, 1934
Nov. 28, PIONEER sighted yacht flying distress signal - vessel had disabled engine and was taken in tow off Pt. Vicente, CA. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 235, p.8. December 1934.

April 24, 1935
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship LYDONIA directed the Coast Guard to trawler MALOLO which was disabled off Virginia coast. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 240, p. 8. May 1935.

May 1, 1935
A current survey party under E.F. Hicks rendered assistance to a launch in distress in Galveston Bay. A plank had been stove in while running full bore against the sea. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 240, p. 9. May 1935.

June 1935
During recent floods and tornadoes which caused heavy loss of life and destruction of property, Wilbur Porter's party at McCook, Nebraska, reported the use of the trucks of the party in assisting the Red Cross to distribute food and clothing and aid in other necessary relief work for the victims in that area. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 241, p. 9. June 1935.

September 4-12, 1935
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Launches ELSIE and MARINDIN helped in relief of Florida Keys area following passage of a violent hurricane. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 244, p. 7. September 1935.

October 6, 1935
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship WESTDAHL towed the disabled fishing boat DIANA from Point Retreat to Juneau, Alaska. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 245, p. 7. October 1935.

December 20, 1935
Fire broke out on the Long Beach, California, pier that the Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship PIONEER berthed at. The PIONEER’s crew contained the fire until the fire department arrived on the scene. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 247, p. 6. December 1935.

January 1937
S.B. Grenell with seven crew from OCEANOGRAPHER and LYDONIA proceeded to Kenova, W. Virginia, to aid in flood relief work with launches 79, 81, and 82. They worked under direction of the Red Cross. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 260, p. 1. January 1937.

January 1937
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship HYDROGRAPHER at New Orleans shipped two launches to Memphis to aid in flood relief work. The Launches FARIS and PRATT under Philip Doran proceeded up the Mississippi River with Coast and Geodetic Survey and Coast Guard personnel. All parties carried portable radio transmitters which greatly facilitated communications. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 260, p. 1. January 1937.

February 1937
The Coast and Geodetic Survey Launches FARIS and PRATT under P.C. Doran continued on flood relief work in the Mississippi Valley near Natchez and Vicksburg. The radio facilities on the FARIS were particularly useful and the launch served as a radio communications base. Coast and Geodetic Survey Bulletin, No. 261, p. 1. February 1937.