Discoverer-AM-38

Discoverer

One who obtains initial sight or knowledge of an existing phenomenon.

(AM-38: dp. 1,009; 1. 187'10"; b. 36'6"; dr. 9'9"; s. 14 k.;
cpl. 87)

Discoverer was launched as Auk by Todd Shipyard Corp., New York, on 28 September 1918; sponsored by Miss Nan MacArthur Beattie; and commissioned 31 January 1919, Lieutenant G. Cullen in command.

From April to October 1919 Auk served with Mine Division 3 clearing the North Sea mine barrage. Successfully completing her hazardous mission in record time, she returned to New York and late in 1919 was placed in reserve at Portsmouth, N.H., where she remained until transferred to the Coast and Geodetic Survey 7 April 1922. She operated as Discoverer with the Survey until 26 August 1941 when she was returned to the Navy and underwent conversion to a salvage vessel (ARS-3), retaining her Coast Survey name.

Discoverer was operated by civilian crews during the war, and on 28 January 1947 was stricken from the Navy Register.