The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia
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A serious difficulty with
naval operations in the Pacific
was the lack of good hydrographic charts. In some cases, the
only available
charts were British
Admiralty charts dating
from the 19th century.The Allies
considered this situation intolerable, and
significant resources were allocated to mapping and
surveying. Although submarines and aircraft were used for these tasks in enemy territory, the gold standard for
hydrographic charting remained specialized vessels
equipped for
pinpoint navigation, sounding, and sweeping.
The Japanese,
Australians,
and Americans
commissioned a number of hydrographic
survey ships. During the Buna
campaign, Australian survey sloops Stella,
Polaris, and Whyalla surveyed and buoyed a
channel three miles wide throught the reefs from Milne Bay to allow coastal ships to
safely bring in supplies. In the U.S. Navy, hydrographic survey ships
often accompanied invasion
forces to perform immediate surveying of the area being invaded.
References
The Royal Australian Navy of World War II (accessed 2008-3-14)
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