Built in 1929, at Lake Washington Shipyard, Houghton, WA., as the Survey Vessel Pathfinder for the Coast and Geodetic Survey Specifications: Displacement 2,175 t. Length 229' 4" Beam 39' Draft 16' Speed 14 kts. Complement: 158; Armament: two single 3"/50 guns; two depth charge projectors;  Propulsion: steam turbine, single screw, 2,000shp. See: Navsource or WIKI    

USC&GSS EXPLORER (1928) PATHFINDER had been build by the Lake Washington Shipyard a year later, but PATHFINDER was increased in size and had other modifications. see also NOAA

Both ships were built on the designed for the Small Seaplane Tender Class Barnegat which was built in Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, WA.