OCEANOGRAPHY 81 



As far as the weather ships are concerned we make routine Bathy- 

 thermograph observations, and at one time did collect planldon 

 samples on the Atlantic stations. 



Mr. Bauer. Now, Admiral, with respect to your operations at that 

 time, have you found it necessary to process the oceanogi*aphic data 

 that you take on board the ship in order that you might be able to 

 give an estimate of density currents available to the icebergs to cause 

 fhem to flow this way and that way ? 



Admiral Hirshfield, Mr. Bauer, we have each year, of course, had 

 these observations taken. They were generally for the information 

 of our own ice patrol commander who would then decide which track, 

 refering to these international agreements on the steamer tracks, 

 should be used. In other words, if the estimate was that the icebergs 

 were going down to a certain latitude we would send our ships or 

 planes out to locate them and then recommend moving the track 

 accordingly. 



Mr. Bauer. What I was getting at was, that there was a rapid 

 evaluation of the data you obtained for useful purposes right then, 

 essentially ? 



Admiral Hershfield. I think that is true. All oceanographic data 

 is evaluated while being collected and completed evaluation is ready 

 for distribution when the ship i-eaches port. 



Mr. Bauer. Now, with respect to instrumentation, Admiral, are 

 jou lacking any instrumentation to enable you to carry out your 

 oceanographic observations and analysis or do you have enough? 



Admiral Hirsitfieed. Well, my information is that we have ade- 

 <iuate instrumentation, Mr. Bauer. 



Mr. Bauer. You have positioning equipment enabling you to use 

 the Decca chain? 



Admiral Hirshfifxd. No, sir, we do not. That, of course, is an 

 electronic aid which is not used in the United States, as you loiow. 



Mr. Bauer. That is true, but it does cover the waters of the Inter- 

 national Ice Patrol, as I understand. 

 Admiral Hirshfield. No, sir. 



Mr. Bauer. Although you run the loran C network, do you have 

 loran C receivers on your ships ? 



Admiral Hirshfield. We have loran A receivers. The loran C 

 East Coast Chain is experimental. 

 Mr. Bauer. That is the precise one. 



Admiral Hirshfield. The A is a pretty good one, too, and we do 

 have stations, as you Imow, in the North Atlantic area. 

 Mr. Bauer. Do you have precision depth equipment ? 

 Admiral Hirshfield. Yes, sir. 



Mr. Bauer. With respect to your oceanographic contributions, 

 is it true that you were one of the first to utilize salinity bridges on 

 your ships. I am talking of the Wenner-Soule bridge. 



Admiral Hirshfield. I would like to refer to my oceanographer 

 to ask him to answer that, Lieutenant Commander ikurray. 



Commander Mltrray. Mr. Bauer, the Coast Guard has been using 

 the Wenner-Soule salinity bridge for iii excess of 25 years and it was 

 the first one. 



Mr. Bauer. Thank you, sir. I wanted to get that in the record 

 because it shows that the Coast Guard is quite capable. 

 That is all I have, sir. 



