USCG Training Center Yorktown in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Revenue Cutter Surveyor

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 8, 2025

1. Revenue Cutter Surveyor Marker

Inscription. On the night of June 12, 1813, near this point on the York River, the U.S. Revenue Cutter Surveyor was attacked by boats of the British frigate Narcissus. The 15 American crewmen, outnumbered 3 to 1, waged a desperate defense as the British, armed with pistol and cutlass, swarmed over the rails. The Surveyor's commander, Captain Samuel Travis, eventually surrendered to prevent the annihilation of his crew, but only after inflicting heavy losses on the attackers. The British captain returned the sword of surrender to the Surveyor crew the following day with a letter expressing admiration for the valiant defense.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is June 12, 1813.

Location. 37° 13.288′ N, 76° 28.923′ W. Marker is in Yorktown, Virginia, in York County. It is in USCG Training Center Yorktown. It is on Pier Road 0.2 miles east of Nelson Street & Hamilton/Perimeter Road, on the left when traveling north. The marker is on post at USCG Training Center Yorktown, across from the Perimeter Road Baseball Field backstop.

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This is a secured installation and the general public cannot access this location without a credentialed escort. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yorktown VA 23690, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Moore House (approx. ¼ mile away); Civil War Trenches (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Seventeenth-Century Churches of York Parish (approx. 0.4 miles away); Archaeological Excavations (approx. 0.4 miles away); Major William Gooch Of This Parish (approx. 0.4 miles away); Early Settlement Along Wormley's Creek

Watermen's Museum - War of 1812 Display image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, November 4, 2023

2. Watermen's Museum - War of 1812 Display

The Watermen's Museum in nearby Yorktown along the York River features a display about the War of 1812 that discusses the Surveyor capture. The painting is of the incident.

(approx. 0.4 miles away); Yorke Village (approx. 0.4 miles away); American Approach Road (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yorktown.

Regarding Revenue Cutter Surveyor. The USCG named Samuel Travis Hall, aboard USCG TRACEN Yorktown, in honor of USRC Surveyor's commander.

Watermen's Museum - Surveyor Story image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, November 4, 2023

3. Watermen's Museum - Surveyor Story

Close-up of the War of 1812 display's USRC Surveyor signage.

Watermen's Museum - Surveyor Deck Plan image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, November 4, 2023

4. Watermen's Museum - Surveyor Deck Plan

Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 17, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.