OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 163 



"This investigation and the difficulties encountered have strikingly shown 

 that only in a new ship, designed specifically for oceanographic study and 

 research work can all of the desired features be incorporated. . . Such 

 features as form and primary arrangements cannot be changed without 

 large expenditures." 



We believe that the above conclusions are valid in any type of conversion. 



CONCLUSIONS 



Over the past six years, ONR has suggested a program whereby the obsolete research 

 ships will eventually be replaced by new construction. Much has been accomplished during 

 this period, although the U. S. Navy and its contracting oceanographic institutions are still 

 without ships designed for research. In view of the accelerated oceanographic programs in 

 other countries, time is becoming a critical factor. If new research ships are not forthcoming 

 in the immediate future, the United States' lead in the field of oceanography will be overtaken 

 by both Russia and Japan. 



We have urged that the Navy take steps to avoid this situation by conversions to replace 

 present ships, as a stop-gap move, and the immediate construction of several new oceano- 

 graphic research ships of the type described above. Two ships of the type shown in Plates I, n, 

 and in have been tentatively approved for the 1960 construction program, but they must still 

 meet the stiff competition of other construction. It is too early to estimate their chances of 

 survival. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 



Sources for the photographs and plates appearing in this article are as follows: 



Jan Hanh, WHOI: Figs. 1-9, 11-12, 14, and 16 

 Texas A&M, Dept. of Oceanography: Fig. 10 

 Univ. of Washington, Dept. of Oceanography: Fig. 13 

 A. Vine, WHOI: Fig. 17 

 BuShips: Plates I, II, and m 



