USS Hydrographer ( AGS - 2 ) 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 Japan ese had completely evacuated . With the Aleutians secured , the ship continued her survey and sounding work until returning San Diego 22 September 1943 . " Hydrographer " arrived Pearl Harbor 10 November 1943 to take part in the push across the Pacific to Japan . She arrived Abemama , in the Gilberts , 24 December and made surveys of the lagoon and anchorages . Makin Island was also surveyed before she moved on to the Marshalls , as the survey ship followed closely behind the amphibious groups . She remained at Kwajalein until May preparing charts ; and , after survey work at Roi , sailed 24 July to Guam . Arriving 3 August 1944 , " Hydrographer " surveyed Apra Harbor and other coves in the vicinity . During these operations the ship ' s shore parties were often fired upon by Japanese sniper s ; but , undaunted , carried out their hydrographic work . As the fleet continued to press toward Japan in a series of amphibious landings , " Hydrographer " sailed from Guam 1 October bound for the Palaus . En route she rode out a large typhoon and arriving safely Kossel Passage , 14 October 1944 . In the months that followed , the ship charted and surveyed many islands in the southern Palaus , helped to establish anchorages and seaplane landing areas , and buoyed channels . She was occasionally harassed by night raids from the Japanese - held island , and on the night of 9 – 10 February 1945 helped destroy two swimmers approaching with an explosive raft . Her work completed 25 February , she sailed via Guam and Pearl Harbor for San Francisco , where she arrived 22 April . The survey ship trained off the West Coast until the end of the war . Getting underway again 16 August 1945 , she made further surveys at Eniwetok , Wake Island , and Kwajalein before sailing from Pearl Harbor for the United States 3 January 1946 . Transiting the Panama Canal , she arrived at Norfolk 6 March and decommissioned 1 July 1946 . She was simultaneously returned to the Coast and Geodetic Survey for peacetime operations . Hydrographer received three battle star s for World War II Service .