98 



WORK OF THE CARNEGIE AND SUGGESTIONS FX3R FUTURE SCIENTIFIC CRUISES 



should be made. Wind velocity and direction might be 

 measured at various levels from the water surface to 

 the masthead to supplement pilot-balloon observations. 

 It has been suggested that a small hydroplane possibly 

 might be used in getting temperature and humidity lapse 

 rates at higher altitudes and also in following pilot bal- 

 loons farther than would be possible from the deck, but 

 it is unknown how far sea conditions and expense would 

 render such an arrangement impractical. It is under- 

 stood that the Meteor obtained some of its most valuable 

 meteorological data with kites carrying barographs, 

 thermographs, and hygrographs. Frequent observations 

 of amount and type of clouds probably will prove of value. 

 Work on solar radiation also might be carried on. 



Another subject which should be included in any 

 new program is the measurement of the acceleration 

 due to gravity. This subject, although ordinarily not 

 considered a branch of oceanography inasmuch as it is 

 a part of geodesy, is nevertheless related to it in a 

 larger sense. The gravity apparatus of Meinesz, with 

 certain modifications (the necessity for which was indi- 

 cated by the experience on the Carnegie) , might give 

 valuable information on gravitational anomalies and 

 isostasy over the practically unexplored ocean areas. 

 For this work the smaller the ship's motions, the better 

 are the observing conditions. Machinery must be stopped 

 so that if the vessel is power -driven, she should have 

 sufficient sail to keep headway during gravity measure- 

 ments. 



It should be imderstood that the above su^estions 

 represent a maximum program. Probably all the sub- 



jects suggested for study could not be undertaken by one 

 expedition. To carry on such a program as outlined, it 

 is estimated that the vessel should be about 200 feet long, 

 with a displacement of about 1000 tons. It should have a 

 cruising radius of about 10,000 miles. The total ship's 

 company, including a scientific staff of not less than ten, 

 would be about fifty. Her power plant should be capable 

 of a cruising speed of about 10 knots, and it would be 

 very desirable that she carry a power launch 30 or 35 

 feet in length. 



To supplement the ship's operations, a shore office 

 naturally would be maintained for administration, check- 

 ing and computing, and publishing of data. The ship 

 should be continuously in commission, and active collec- 

 tion of data should be continued with but short intervals 

 of interruption. It seems possible that the running ex- 

 penses for such a combination, including salaries, up- 

 keep, and ship's fuel could be met with from $200,000 to 

 $250,000 per year. It would be desirable that there be 

 a sufficient endowment to provide for these maintenance 

 operations. A vessel already built possibly may be 

 found suitable, thus lessening the initial cost. In any 

 case, careful consideration should be given to the selec- 

 tion of the type of vessel best suited to the contemplated 

 program; that is, whether it should be power, sail, or 

 auxiliary, and whether of wood or steel. The final de- 

 cision probably will be a compromise between economy 

 and the extent of the desired program, and between the 

 contradictory requirements of the various parts of the 

 selected program. 



LITERATURE CITED 



1. Poole, H. H., and W. R. G. Atkins. 1929. Photo- 

 electric measurements of submarine illumination 



throughout the year. Jour. Marine Biol. Assoc, 

 vol. 16, pp. 297-324. 



