OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 97 



Mr. Oliver. You mentioned this business of days at sea with the 

 Albatross. I have some figures here which indicated that in fiscal 1957 

 there was a record of 137 days at sea and in fiscal 1958 a record of 

 149 days at sea and in a portion of fiscal 1959 the record is 102 days 

 at sea. 



I assume those are fairly accurate figures. 



Mr. McKernan, Those are correct. 



Mr. Oliver. In talking about the portion of the year 1959, does that 

 include the 25-day Christmas holiday period that the ship would have 

 been at the dock in any event ? 



Mr. MgKernan. I do not know how many days it was, Mr. Oliver, 

 but I am sure that through 1959 it was 102 days that the vessel was 

 at sea up to March 9 when it was deactivated. 



Mr. Oliver. March 9 of this year ? 



Mr. McKernan. Of this year, yes. 



Mr. Oliver. You think that there would have only been a matter of 

 only about 30 more days ? 



Mr. McKernan. With funds that we had there would have been 

 less than that. 



Mr. Oliver. But so far as the condition of the vessel is concerned ? 



Mr. McI^RNAN. Had we had unlimited funds to operate the vessel 

 regardless of her efficiency, I suspect we would have done about the 

 same as we have done in the past 4 years, about 150 days. 



Mr. Oliver. You think it would not have run over 150 days if you 

 had the funds to keep it operating or had wanted to use the funds to 

 keep it operating ? 



Mr. McI^RNAN. I cannot be certain about that. It would depend, 

 of course, upon some other factors but, just looking at the record, I 

 would say that she would be expected to operate at about 150 days. 



Mr. Oliver. I am taking too much time, Mr. Chairman, but these 

 questions, to me, should be clarified. 



I have just a few more. 



Mr. Miller. Go ahead. 



Mr. McKernan. The Delaioare has operated about 180 days in con- 

 trast to this 150 or 145 days that the Albatross has operated. 



Mr. Oliver. Do I understand from your previous replies to ques- 

 tions that you feel that we should have more research facilities if we 

 are going to carry on a real program of oceanographic research ? 



Mr. McKernan. I would hope so. 



Mr. Oliver. Did I understand you to say that during your regime 

 that additional f imds have not been asked to get the tools with which 

 to work, namely, your research vessels ? 



Mr. McKernan. Our Bureau has had a fair allotment of the De- 

 partment's budget with respect to research. There was no increase 

 in research allowed in the President's budget for this year. In gen- 

 eral, since the Saltonstall-Kennedy funds became available from im- 

 port duties in 1955, I believe there have been little or no increases in 

 our research budget. I am saying that right off the top of my head, 

 Mr. Congressman. 



Mr. Oliver. You and your associates have not been too aggressive 

 in fighting for additional budgetary funds. 



Mr. McKernan. This is not necessarily true. I am, of course, not 

 at liberty to indicate our efforts in this respect, but we have aggres- 



