A theoretical analysis given of the scattering of plane acoustic waves by a thin‐walled metallic cylinder in water. It is shown that a surface wave of low attenuation is propagated around the cylinder as a flexural vibration and that this wave acts as the “creeping” wave discussed by Franz. The phase velocity of this wave depends on frequency so that one must use group velocity for short pulses. Theoretical calculations are compared with experimental measurements made on an aluminum and a brass cylinder of wall thickness 0.094 in. and o.d. 5.475 in. over a frequency range of 70 to 130 kc/sec. The theoretical curve of the velocity of pulses around the aluminum cylinder shows a frequency dependence that agrees with the experimental curve, but the magnitude of the theoretical value of the velocity is 10% too low. It is not possible to excite these waves in the brass cylinder with the present experimental arrangement.