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Log Books of the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey, 19th and 20th Centuries USC&GSS Pioneer General description, specifications and time line |
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USC&GSS Pioneer (NOAA Photo, click images to enlarge) |
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(Commemorated by Pioneer Seamount and Pioneer Canyon in Pacific Ocean)
Characteristics: Steamer, built by Gas Engine & Power Company, Morris Heights, New York in 1918 as Bird-class minesweeper USS Osprey, cost $500,000, 950 long tons, 187ft long x 35ft beam x12ft draft, triple expansion steam engine, 1,400shp, 14kts. Along with Discoverer 1 and Guide, known as "Bird-boats" in C&GS service.
Log Period and Areas of Service: 1922-1941, Pacific coast, Alaskan waters.
Summary of Service
7 April 1922 - Transferred from US Navy at Boston, MA.
11 October 1928 - While surveying the Heceta Bank off Oregon, crew member, Seaman Earl Forsberg fell overboard and drowned.
1934 - Deep sea hydrophone developed on board, and successfully used to a depth of 5,100ft off southern California.
28 November 1934 - Took in tow disabled yacht off Point Vicente, CA.
20 December 1935 - Crew contained a fire which broke out on the pier at Long Beach, California, until the fire department arrived.
On other occasions she gave assistance to ships in distress and supported civil authorities.
Fate: 1941 - Returned to Navy, converted to rescue and salvage ship, ARS-2, renamed USS Crusader. Sold 1952.
Links: DANFS, NOAA History site, Wikipedia
Dressed overall for George Washington's birthday, Oakland, CA, possibly 1931 (Family of Captain John Ellerbee, C&GS) |
Location and date not known |
One of Pioneer's boats ashore and wrecked in the surf in Southern California, 1933 (Family of Captain John Ellerbee, C&GS) |
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Four photos taken at Dutch Harbor, Unalaska Island, 1940. Two of them show sister ship's Pioneer and Guide together. In the bow to bow one, Pioneer is believed to be on the right 
(Captain Hubert A. Paton, C&GS) |
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(Captain Harry D. Reed, C&GS) |
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A general note on the sources.