George W. Littlehales

George Washington Littlehales, born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, 14 October 1860, graduated from the United States Naval Academy 9 June 1883. He resigned from the Navy 2 years later to join the Hydrographic Office. An eminent mathematician, oceanographer, and civil engineer, Littlehales compiled many publications in navigation, terrestrial magnetism, and oceanography. He served as chairman of the Section of Physical Oceanography, American Geophysical Union, and as vice president of the Section of Oceanography, International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics. He was a member of the Washington Academy of Science, the Philosophical Society, and the American Society of Naval Engineers. From 1919 until retirement, Littlehales ably represented the United States at numerous hydrographic congresses and councils throughout the world.

Littlehales died 12 August 1943 at Washington, D.C.

Namesakes

Three U.S. Navy survey ships have been named USS Littlehales in his honor.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.