In 1807, President Thomas Jefferson signed a bill for the "Survey of the Coast," thus establishing the U.S. Coast Survey, the beginning of the oldest scientific agency in the U.S. Government. In 1878, it was renamed the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. Initially, the U.S. Coast Survey was part of the Department of the Treasury. In 1904, it was transferred to the Department of Commerce and Labor, and in 1970 it became an office within NOAA.
The following table summarizes the publication history of the annual reports of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey from 1837 to 1965. These reports and their appendices contain articles and reports on the many scientific and technological activities of the Coast Survey. A bibliography to the reports' appendices can be found here.
To display an annual report, click on the drop-down list located within the table to choose the year, then click the "View Report" button. Articles are in PDF format and require the free Adobe Reader.
| Publication Years | Publication Info | Annual Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1837-1843 | These Reports were prepared by Ferdinand Hassler in his position as both the first Superintendent of the Coast Survey and the Superintendent of the Office of Weights and Measures. The first Report in 1837 is titled Report From the Secretary of the Treasury Transmitting the Report of F. R. Hassler, superintendent of the coast survey, and of the fabrication of standard weights and measures. |
Toggle Dropdown
|
| 1844-1877 | Alexander Bache became the second Superintendent of the Coast Survey in 1844 and continued to write the reports until 1865. His report concerning standard weights, measures and balances in 1845 is the last one on this subject. All subsequent reports cover only the Coast Survey and are titled Report of the Superintendent of the United States Coast Survey Showing the Progress of the Work. |
|
| 1878-1911 | In 1878, the U.S. Coast Survey became the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, and the name of the report was changed to Report of the Superintendent of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Showing the Progress of Work. |
|
| 1912-1919 | These reports are titled Annual Report of the Superintendent, United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. |
|
| 1920-1930 | These reports are titled Annual Report of the Director, United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. |
|
| 1931-1965 | These reports are titled Annual Report of the Director of the Coast and Geodetic Survey. |
|
The Library also provides access to The Coast and Geodetic Survey Annual Reports 1844-1910 Bibliography of Appendices, which provides author and subject access to the articles found in the appendices. This bibliography is available online.
