FOREWORD xvii 



of the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism Captain Ault made 

 notable contributions in the varied fields of geophysics. He 

 led many expeditions to far ends of the world and commanded 

 the Carnegie on four of her world-wide cruises. Those who had 

 the good fortune to serve science with him and to sail under his 

 skillful and inspiring leadership know how completely he met his 

 responsibilities and realized his ideals. His death deprives the 

 public of his own fascinating story of the cruise. A charming 

 book indeed would have resulted from his rich background in 

 oceanic surveys, his contagious enthusiasm, and his ability to 

 interpret fundamental scientific researches in popular terms. 



The preparation of the narative of the cruise has devolved, 

 therefore, upon Dr. J. Harland Paul, who so creditably carried 

 his dual responsibilities as surgeon and observer throughout 

 the cruise, and to whose constructive and loyal service Captain 

 Ault so frequently made appreciative reference in his official 

 correspondence, as was also the case for every other man of his 

 staff. In some of the more intimate details. Dr. Paul has had the 

 privilege of abstracting from Captain Ault's letters to his wife 

 and daughters detailed accounts of many incidents of the cruise 

 not forming part of or entering into the official reports. 



The story of the expedition is a record of diligent and continu- 

 ous application to duty on a pre-arranged schedule. But few 

 passages will be found describing the wonders or terrors of the 

 deep, and but few romantic pages of brilliant exploits of physical 

 daring — for the simple reason that the cruise was carefully planned 

 to avoid digressions that might interrupt the discharge of impor- 

 tant routine. How faithfully and loyally the plans and observa- 

 tions were carried out by each and every one concerned on board 

 the vessel is abundantly evidenced by the vast number of ob- 

 servations made, samples collected, and data derived, the dis- 

 cussion of and the interpretations from which are real contri- 

 butions to the physics of the Earth — geophysics. 



John A. Fleming. 



