APPENDIX 333 



and it is remarkable that our country, considering the relations 

 of our Empire to the oceans, has done comparatively little. In 

 view of our maritime position, of the pre-eminence of our Navy, 

 of our great mercantile marine, and of our sea-fisheries, Great 

 Britain should undoubtedly lead the world in oceanographical 

 research. 



Ill 



Scope and Period of Proposed Expedition 



Such an expedition as is contemplated ought, in order to make 

 worthy contributions to science, to be at least as extensive in dura- 

 tion and as comprehensive in scope as the " Challenger " expedi- 

 tion. It ought to explore all the great oceans during a period of 

 three or four years. It ought to be prepared to estabUsh landing 

 parties on oceanic islands, coral reefs, and other places where 

 special detailed explorations on shore or in shallow water are 

 required. Special scientific apparatus may have to be devised, 

 and young scientific men may have to be trained to fit them for 

 the work of such an expedition. At least one year, therefore, 

 would have to be devoted to the work of preparation. It will be 

 apparent from the Schedule to this statement that a number of the 

 investigations proposed are of the highest direct practical import- 

 ance, and there are many reasons why it is important that the 

 scheme should be initiated and preparations organized with as 

 little delay as possible. 



Ship 



Preliminary inquiries lead tentatively to the behef that a vessel 

 of the mercantile marine, of about 3,000 tons, chartered by H.M. 

 Government for the occasion, would best suit the general purposes 

 of the expedition ; with the possible exception, as already indi- 

 cated, of certain investigations which might be carried out 

 independently of the main body. 



Scientific Personnel 



It is estimated that the scientific staff of such an expedition 

 should consist of a director with ten or twelve assistants, exclusive 

 of landing parties and any officers of the Royal Navy who might 

 be detailed for special investigations for Admiralty purposes. 



Cost 



While it is difficult under present conditions, and in the present 

 preHminary stage of inquiry into the possibihty and scope of the 



