USCS, later USC&GS, Fathomer was a steamer that served as a survey ship in the United States Coast Survey from 1871 to 1878 and in the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey from 1878 to 1881. She was the only Coast Survey and first Coast and Geodetic Survey ship of the name.

Quick Facts History, United States ...

History
United States
Name	Fathomer
Namesake	One who fathoms, i.e., measures the depth of or takes a sounding of, a body of water
Builder	C. Sharp, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Completed	1871
Commissioned	1871
Decommissioned	1881
Fate	Sold 1884
General characteristics
Type	Survey ship
Length	76 ft (23 m)
Beam	16 ft (4.9 m)
Draft	4 ft (1.2 m)
Propulsion	Steam engine

Close

Fathomer was built by C. Sharp at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1871. She initially entered service in the U.S. Coast Survey. When the Coast Survey was reorganized in 1878 to form the Coast and Geodetic Survey, she became a part of the new service.

Fathomer operated along the United States East Coast during her career. She was laid up at Washington, D.C., in 1881 and sold in 1884.

• NOAA History, A Science Odyssey: Tools of the Trade: Coast and Geodetic Survey Ships: Fathomer