46 OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 



seamen navigating the historic clipper ships attained world superior- 

 ity in Atlantic crossings by being the first to discern the existence of 

 the wide river of the sea, which was used elfectively on eastern voyages 

 but was to be avoided on tlw return trips to American ports. Ex- 

 tensive observations of the Gulf Stream by Pillsbury in 1880 brought 

 the discovery of a south-flowing countercurrent beneath the Gulf 

 Stream in the vicinity of southern Florida and the Great Bahama 

 Bank. This iiireresting oceanic phenomenon was recently "redis- 

 covered." 



Oceanographic activities of the Coast and Geodetic Survey were of 

 immediate concern to the new agency of Government, Survey of the 

 Coast, established by President Jefferson more than 150 yeai-s ago. 

 Systematic oceanography in the United States originated with the 

 first surveys by the Coast Survey in 1934—35. The necessity of mak- 

 ing oceanographic studies was an initial requirement if we were to 

 learn the secrets of the restless ocean and the forces affecting its move- 

 ments. Over the years untold benefits have accrued to industry, 

 science, engineering, and requirements of national defense through the 

 great progress achieved in this branch of the physical sciences. 



The Coast and Geodetic Survey is a recognized world leader in 

 physical oceanographic work. Experience and background gained 

 over 15 decades of sustained effort, together witli the establishment of 

 somid organizational concepts, carefully trained persoimel, and scien- 

 tific understanding, qualify the Bureau to perform oceanographic 

 work in a highly efficient manner. 



Intensive studies of our continental shelves through greatly ac- 

 celerated hydrographic surveying operations and supporting oceano- 

 graphic research are essential before effective exploitation of undis- 

 covered natural resources can be undertaken in the great underwater 

 frontiers of the Nation. This vast underwater domain presents a 

 great challenge to the modern hydrographer equipped with all the 

 new techniques of this modern technological age. The military pos- 

 ture of the Nation is as much affected in this modern age by the more 

 than 70 percent of the earth's surface covered by water as by the outer 

 atmosphere now dramatized by visions of space travel. New data 

 must be collected on the nature and composition of the sea, of the sea 

 bottoms, undersea mountains, and complicated ocean currents for the 

 effective use of the globe-ranging atomic powered submarine, and for 

 defense against enemy submarines. 



I have a little different idea that I wanted to insert at this point. 



Current oceanographic activities include continuing surveys of 

 ocean waters of the Gulf of Alaska in which sounding lines are run 

 en route to and from surmner survey areas in western Alaska and 

 Aleutian Islands. The sounding lines are interrupted to make limited 

 surveys of major features. The gulf floor is dotted with immense sea- 

 mounts which have been discovered over a period of many years. 

 They are grouped or alined over extensive distances. Large numbers 

 are detached volcanic cones, wliile others are peaks on extensive 

 ridges. Many of the seamounts rise 2 miles above tlie ocean bottom. 

 Discovery of these seamounts and otlier extensive features in the 

 Gulf of Alaska has created considerable scientific interest in this 

 area. Mucli more survey work is required to obtain a more complete 

 knowledge of the submarine topography in this region. Tlie oi)era- 



