Another programme of interest was the standardization of hydro- 

 graphic and oceanographic observations aboard naval vessels. This 

 programme has already resulted in considerable benefit to the Navy, 

 this benefit resulting not only from more accurate data, but also from. 

 the greatly increased quantities of information pertaining to sonic 

 soundings, horizontal and vertical sea temperature distribution, sea and 

 swell, sea ice, aids and hazards to navigation, and harbour and port 

 facilities. 



Library Facilities. — The library has increased its collection of scientific 

 and technical works, especially those pertaining to the field of oceano- 

 graphy and allied sciences. The library at present consists of over 

 fifteen thousand publications, pamphlets, and periodicals on the subjects 

 of geography, hydrography, oceanography, navigation, physics, and 

 chemistry. In February, 1948, all branch Hydrographic Offices were 

 equipped with modern " reference libraries " of the latest books and 

 publications on navigation and related subjects, as a means of improving 

 the services of the branch Offices to the Navy, the Merchant Marine, and 

 the general public. 



Oceanographic Sidrveys. — The first requisite for an understanding of 

 the various oceanographic phenomena, such as currents, sea and swell, 

 and temperature, salinity, and density distribution, is adequate geo- 

 graphic and seasonal records related to these phenomena. This 

 necessitates a continuous programme of observation which must, of 

 necessity, be conducted at sea. Every source of basic data must be 

 exploited. As the Office did not have its own laboratory and ships for 

 conducting these observations, other activities, both governmental and 

 non-governmental, domestic and foreign, were called upon to supply 

 these data. 



The results of these programmes, in part for the collection and 

 reporting of basic oceanographic data are indicated in the table below. 



The records listed in the above table by no means represent the 

 total of the data received. Arrangements were made for oceanographic 

 technicians to accompany Navy-sponsored expeditions to the Arctic 

 and other areas of strategic importance. The Hydrographic Office 

 observers sent to the Antarctic in 1947-48 were trained in collecting 

 oceanographic data. These technicians carred out a detailed and compre- 

 hensive programme of observations, and their results are embodied in 

 reports submitted to this Office. In addition, privately-operated 

 research vessels, both domestic and foreign, observed and reported many 

 diversified types of oceanographic data. 



158 



