USRC Surveyor

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.

The defense of the cutter Surveyor occurred at the southern end of Chesapeake Bay ( pictured ) near Gloucester Point .
Members of the Historic Ship's Company, a ceremonial unit of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary , are pictured in 2012 attired in uniforms typical of Revenue Marine personnel during the War of 1812.