Along with the Royal Navy frigate which bested her in battle, HMS Narcissus, Surveyor is among six legendary ships memorialized in the lyrics of the Coast Guard march "Semper Paratus".

[7][10] Throughout the War of 1812, the Royal Navy was active in Chesapeake Bay, engaging in ship-to-shore raids and coastal blockades, with the objective of diverting U.S. forces from Canada.

[7] Travis' cautious preparations were vindicated when, a few hours later, Surveyor was attacked by a Royal Navy boarding party described by different sources as between 50 and 65 sailors and marines operating from the frigate HMS Narcissus.

[1][12] Narcissus had entered the bay under cover of darkness and her boarding party moved against Surveyor in two small boats using muffled oars to conceal their approach.

[1][7][12] At 150 yards from Surveyor, the American ship's picket spotted the approaching British boats and fired an alarm shot, alerting the vessel's crew and ruining the element of surprise.

[1] In tribute to the ferocity of Surveyor's resistance, Travis' sword was returned to him by the boarding party's commander, Lt John Crerie, with a commendation: Your gallant and desperate attempt to defend your vessel against more than double your number excited such admiration on the part of your opponents as I have seldom witnessed, and induced me to return you the sword you had so ably used...I am at a loss which to admire most, the previous arrangement on board the Surveyor or the determined manner in which her deck was disputed inch-by-inch.

[13] Travis was paroled at Washington, North Carolina, on August 7, 1813, with the remainder of the crew transferred to a British prison camp in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

[16] In 2012, in conjunction with bicentennial anniversary events commemorating the War of 1812, the United States Coast Guard commissioned the oil on canvas painting The Gallant Defense of Cutter Surveyor from Patrick O'Brien.