202 OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 



We have found it most interesting and, of course, I appreciate that 

 it is very expensive. It is going to be expensive. It is suggested by 

 Dr. Brown that it be on a 10-year period, but when you realize that 

 the savings to the Government that j'ou have set forth for the MSTS 

 and this rather startling fact that by applying data developed in the 

 Hydographic Office you could cut the cost of ice damage and delays 

 of ships from $17 million to $1 million a year, it indicates that here is 

 a field where real savings have been effected and can continue to be 

 effected and this work through your good offices can be self-support- 

 ing. If this goes on now it will be a continuing thing, so that we have 

 a little more to offer in that respect that I am confronted with in an- 

 other committee that deals in science and astronautics, where, when 

 we spend a couple of million dollars to send up a missile and get back 

 fragmentary information from it and still have to spend more money, 

 that in no way replaces itself and is a total contribution to science. 



I am not questioning the necessity for that. You and I know that 

 that is the only way we are going to get to know these things, but prob- 

 ing the heavens is much more expensive, apparently, than probing the 

 bottom of the sea. 



I feel that we have to carry this fight and be the spokesmen for 

 those people who are interested. We have to be the spokesmen and 

 champions of oceanography in the Congress. 



I notice you said here that there was a report in 1928 of the first 

 Committee on Oceanography. I wonder, Mr. Counsel, if we can get 

 that ? I suppose it is in the Library or it might be published. 



Captain Munson. If I may volunteer, sir, we did not bring it with 

 us but it is very likely that the Hydrographic Office would find it 

 easiest to retrieve it, and, if you would like to see it, I will procure it. 



Mr. Miller. I would like to see it. 



Captain Munson. Historically it might be a very fine document to 

 air. I might say we have all the papers, including the order signed 

 by Secretary Forrestal. It is a very interesting paper with the original 

 signature. 



Mr. Miller. Mr. Curtin. 



Mr. CuRTiisr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



I want to say, Captain, that I think this statement is extremely en- 

 lightening and helpful to us. I notice that you say that in 1950 there 

 were two oceanographic survey vessels. 



Captain Munson. Yes, sir. 



Mr. Curtin. How many are presently in use? 



Captain Munson. Of course, your question is addressed to the Hy- 

 drographic Office alone? 



Mr. Curtin. That is right. 



Captain Munson. We are still operating these same ships, one very 

 small one which is used to gather a particular type of insliore data, 

 and six other vessels primarily configured to perform hydrographic 

 work but which can and do double in brass to conduct oceanographic 

 surveys. 



It is not a situation which we are particularly happy about because 

 recent developments have indicated that we nuist eidarge modestly 

 our own effort and we are making representations to the pro])er au- 

 thoritie.s in the Navy to add one more surveying ship, possibly two 

 more of a veiy peculiar nature, and soon. ;ind we certainly are going 

 to have this request granted, an oceanogiMphic survey plane. 



