USS Pathfinder (AGS-1)

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USS Pathfinder (AGS-1) on 31 August 1942
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Class:        PATHFINDER (AGS-1)
Design:        USC&GS AGS
Displacement (tons):        1,422 light, 2,175 max
Dimensions (feet):        229.3' oa, 209.3' wl x 39.0' e x 16.0' max
Original Armament:        2-3"/50 4-20mm
Later armaments:        2-3"/50 6-20mm (1944);
2-3"/50 2-40mmS 4-20mmS (1946)
Complement:        147 (1944)
Speed (kts.):        14.7
Propulsion (HP):        2,000
Machinery:        DeLaval turbine, 1 screw

Construction:

AGS	Name	Acq.	Builder	Keel	Launch	Commiss.
1	PATHFINDER	31 Aug 42	Lake Washington, Houghton	20 Feb 41	11 Jan 42	31 Aug 42

Disposition:

AGS	Name	Decomm.	Strike	Disposal	Fate	MA Sale
1	PATHFINDER	31 Jan 46	13 Nov 46	22 Aug 46	C&GS	9 Aug 72

Class Notes:
No FY (transferred). On 25 Sep 40 the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey ordered a new surveying ship, USC&GSS PATHFINDER, from the Lake Washington Shipyards, Houghton, Washington. She was the second ship of this type built by Lake Washington, EXPLORER having preceded her by a year, but PATHFINDER was increased in size and had other modifications.

Soon after PATHFINDER was launched in January 1942 the Navy asked the Department of Commerce, under which the Coast and Geodetic survey operated, for the transfer of the ship for wartime use. The transfer was approved and arrangements were made in March and April 1942 for armament and other naval features to be installed during the completion of the vessel by Lake Washington under the original contract. The size of the crew was more than doubled, and among numerous other modifications a chart reproduction plant was installed with a capacity to produce 5,000 copies of small charts per hour for use in the field. Retained from her original design was her allowance of boats: four 30-foot diesel powered wood sounding launches, two 24-foot gasoline powered whaleboats, and several 16-foot skiffs.

After her return to the Commerce Department, PATHFINDER was recommissioned in the Coast and Geodetic Survey on 23 Aug 46 and operated continuously until she was deactivated on 10 Sep 71. Her near sister EXPLORER lasted until 1968. See www.history.noaa.gov/stories_tales/pathfinder.html and pathfinder1.html for detailed accounts of service for PATHFINDER.

Ship Notes:

AGS	Name	Notes
1	PATHFINDER	Returned to C&GS 22 Aug 46, PATHFINDER. Scrapped 1972.