OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 115 



CONVERSIONS OF NAVAL VESSELS FOR RESEARCH 



The Bureau has made a preliminary study into the feasibility of using small 

 naval vessels for fishery research in New England and possibly in other areas 

 should ships need replacement. 



The Navy has told us about three ships which will soon be available as sur- 

 plus to their needs. Two of these are within the size range which could be op- 

 erated in offshore areas. However, there are a number of factors which need 

 careful consideration before launching into a program of conversions to supply 

 research vessel needs. 



Each vessel would have to be converted as follows : 



1. From military to civilian use, which would include improvement of living 

 spaces, increasing water capacity, and arranging for sanitary facilities. 



2. Provision for resarch space such as wet and dry laboratories and gear 

 storage ; addition of winches and modifications to booms. 



3. Conversion for fishing. 



Discussions with the Navy did not reveal that there were relatively new 

 vessels which could be made available for research purposes. Those v,'hich can 

 be released now were constructed in 1943 or 1944. making their age approxi- 

 mately 15 years. Conversion of ve.ssels of this age would not appear logical. 

 In addition, previous exi>erience by two California agencies has shown that 

 use of two similar type hulls for oceanographic research has proved a costly 

 and rather short-term operation. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography con- 

 verted a minesweeper for general oceanographic work. While the costs of the 

 conversion are not immediately available, we know that they were very high. 

 During the course of operations considerable main engine trouble developed 

 and the vessel defaulted on many cruises. After about 6 years' operation the 

 vessel was laid up. 



California Fish and Game modified a small Army transport ship similar to 

 another type the Navy could make available to the Bureau. This ship was 

 condemned after 7 years' operation because of dry rot. 



One of the most serious drawbacks in using naval vessels for research pur- 

 poses is that after conversion they will not adequately meet all the research 

 requirements. For example, it would be very difficult to conduct experimental 

 fishing or trawling from a converted transport vessel or minesweeper. The 

 towing characteristics, freeboard and general deck arrangements preclude fish- 

 ing from the.se vessels in an efficient manner. Hence it is entirely possible that 

 after spending rather large amounts for conversion the vessel produced would 

 be less than satisfactory. 



To support this point we wish to quote from a report prepared by the Na- 

 tional Academy of Sciences on research ships : 



"Conversions should ie kept to a minimum. — The matter of conversions versus 

 new construction has been studied. The Committee concluded that conversions 

 will be more expensive (in the long run) than new construction in terms of 

 research accomplished per dollar. For some survey-type operations conversions 

 can be quite satisfactory. Indeed practically all the .ships being used in this 

 country for marine science today are conversions. Nevertheless, it is believed 

 that from the standpoint of overall costs, conversions should be kept to a 

 minimum." 



In summary, we believe the most sound procedure would be to carry on 

 fishery research in New England with our one major vessel, the Delaware, plus 

 fishing vessel charters as necessary. Such operations would have to be carried 

 out until we can budget for, design, and construct a modern research trawler 

 which will allow us to effect the research and surveys necessary for the benefit 

 of New England fisheries and which will allow us to lead the industry in the 

 development of efficient fishery methods. In the long run the Government will 

 be ahead in the quality and amounts of information produced and will expend 

 less money for ship time if the policy of new construction is followed. 



POSITIONS FOR DISPLACED FISHERMEN 



Information from the Bureau's regional office in Gloucester reveals that there 

 are now plenty of vacancies for fishermen in the New England fishing fleet. In 

 fact some crews have been reduced because of a shortage of fishermen. Hence, 

 men from the Albatross III should have no difficulty in locating jobs. 



