240 OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 



Captain Hiller. I will read it. This is a letter from James S. 

 Mmiro of Chelsea, Mass. : 



You have asked my opinion as to the seaworthiness and mechanical equip- 

 ment of the Albatross III. To answer your question I can tell you we have 

 worked on the vessel on numerous occasions. The hull and the engine room are 

 in excellent condition. We have also drydocked the vessel in the last 6 months 

 and have made all the changes necessary to put the vessel in good mechanical 

 condition. It is my present impression she can operate for several years with- 

 out major repairs. 



That is signed "James S. Munro, Drydock and Ship Repair Busi- 

 ness, Chelsea, Mass." 



Chairman Miller. We will receive that letter into the record. 



Mr. Donahue. Mr. Chairman, next I would like to present Capt. 

 Walter Beatty, who was the master of the Albatross in the period 

 prior to Captain Hiller. 



Chairman Miller. Give your name and address and identify your- 

 self, please, Captain. 



TESTIMONY OF CAPT. WALTER E. BEATTY, FORMER MASTER OF 



THE "ALBATROSS" 



Captain Beatty. Mr. Miller and gentlemen, this is a pleasure to 

 be here today. My name is Walter Edward Beatty. I was master 

 of the Albatross from January to October 1956. I have been going 

 to sea for 26 years. I graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime 

 Academy, the old training ship Nantucket in 1937. Subsequently I 

 went in the merchant marine for several years and in the fisheries. 

 Upon leaving the merchant marine I returned to the fisheries and 

 went through the ranks as fisherman, mate, and master. The last 

 ship I was on I served on her for 3 years. I had three of my own 

 trawlers ; I had an interest in them. 



During the war I served in the Navy and retired from the Navy 

 in 1947 from combat activity in the Pacific. 



Chairman IVIiller. I should say, Captain, you have qualified very 

 well. 



Captain Beatty. The only time I have not been to sea has been for 

 about 21/^ years in the naval hospital from action in the Pacific. 



When I went aboard the Albatross, I didn't go for the money, but 

 I was interested in fishery research. I did a good bit of it on my 

 own vessels. As I feel there is a great need for fishery research, I 

 told Dr. Graham I was interested in it. 



When I went aboard the Albatross at that time there was a great 

 need for bringing the vessel into a seaworthy condition. She was 

 not in the best shape at that time. Moneys were tight at the time. 

 I felt there were two things involved, it was Goveninient property 

 and the safety of the personnel working on her. 



We proceeded to Iloboken, N.J., in the latter part of January or 

 the first part of February, to bring the ship in a more seaworthy 

 condition. There we had lifeboats installed and many items which 

 did help improve her seaworthiness. We did have many items done, 

 but some were not completed. I felt very strongly for the protection 

 of the Government and the safety of the men aboard these things 

 should be done as soon as possible. 



