OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 13 



In other words, I think we are a little bit more mature in our 

 approach to oceanographic problems than the Russians are but, as 

 to how long this will last, I would not care to predict. 



As one example, one of our theoretical oceanographers from study- 

 ing the dynamics of the circulation of the North Atlantic Ocean pos- 

 tulated that there had to be a current under the Gulf Stream flowing 

 in the opposite direction. 



At approximately the same time a scientist in Great Britain, Dr. 

 Swallow, developed an aluminum tube which could be designed and 

 preset to sink to a certain level in the oceans and stay there. 



The reason this is possible is that the compressibility of an alumi- 

 num tube is somewhat less than the compressibility of sea water so 

 that the tube can be ballasted to go so deep and no deeper. You put 

 inside of this tube an acoustic transponder which would send out a 

 signal when it heard a signal so that it is possible to track this tube 

 at great depths. 



By using this device called the Swallow buoy, the hypothesis that 

 there is a countercurrent under the Gulf Stream was recently tested 

 and found to be true. 



This is an example of the stage we are at now where we are able to 

 formulate questions about what is goin^ on in the ocean and then go 

 out on a specially designed cruise to see if they are true or not. 



I do not think that the Russians are at this stage yet in the 

 sophistication of their concepts about the oceans but they are moving 

 very rapidly. 



Mr. Oliver. Have we any centralized operation in the Government 

 that coordinates and works together toward the common objective of 

 trying to get all the progress we possibly can in this field ? I realize 

 that we have individual efforts on the part of departments but I was 

 wondering if there is any coordinated or concentrated effort? 



Mr. Vetter. Well, sir, there is an informal group at the working 

 level that has met together about once a month ever since the Com- 

 mittee on Oceanography of the Academy of Sciences was organized. 

 These individuals are not at the policymaking level but at sort of the 

 "Indian" stage of organization. They exchange information about 

 their problems, their progress, and programs. 



Mr. Oliver. Do other nations have a centralized group that work 

 toward this end ? 



Mr. Vetter. I am afraid I am not qualified to answer that. I would 

 like to have opportunity to do a little research before answering 

 that question. 



Mr. Miller. I wonder if you are in a position to get that informa- 

 tion. Doctor ? Would you get it for us and furnish it for the record ? 

 I think it would be quite important. 



Could you suggest where it might be obtained ? I refer to this in- 

 formation as to what other nations have it mider centralized coordi- 

 nated control. 



Mr. Vetter. This is sometliing I ought to try to get for my own 

 information and I would be happy to try to get it for you. 



Mr. Miller. Thank you. 



Mr. Oliver. The other question I had here, Mr. Vetter, that bothers 

 me at the moment is this : I believe the Albatross III is a research 

 vessel, is it, that is operating out of Woods Hole in Massachusetts, is 

 that correct ? 



