10 OCEAXOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 



This stateiiieiit illustrates in a few words the interdependence of 

 these things and the importance of knowing the feed back that modi- 

 fies first one and then the other. 



3. Investigation of the various mechanisms contributing to a piling 

 up of water against coasts during hurricanes and other severe wind- 

 storms; improvement of storm-tide warning services now in operation 

 along the Atlantic and gulf coasts and then- extension to the Great 

 Lakes and other coastal areas. 



4. Study of coastal weather with particular emphasis on harbor and 

 estuarine forecasting for nuclear-powered ships, where release of 

 nuclear effluents, either by accident or design, might become serious 

 for coastal communities. 



Concluding remarks: In order to bring out more clearh' some of 

 the interrelationships of ocean meteorology and oceanography to 

 which reference has been made, I have brought with me several large 

 charts or visual aids that I would like to present briefly if the com- 

 mittee has time, Mr. Chairman. 



In closing, I should perhaps emphasize a few very noteworthy 

 aspects of this subject. First, there is a great potential still undevel- 

 oped for extensive use of merchant ships and special purpose vessels 

 for making ocean observations and collecting data that are desperately 

 needed for understanding of the phenomena of the atmosphere and 

 the oceans which relate directly and vitally to human welfare. For 

 relatively little investment m instruments and equipment, these 

 vessels could be utilized for collection of essential data. 



Second, tliere are huge gaps in our observations of the oceans and 

 the atmosphere over the oceans — gaps so large that the entu-e area 

 of the United States could be "lost" in the wide open spaces in some 

 regions. One of the large charts pictures these deficiencies. 



Third, although there are many new items of insturments and equip- 

 ment to be developed for ocean weather observations, most of these 

 are relatively simple from the technological pouit of view. They offer 

 no serious obstacles to earl}^ development of the network of oceano- 

 graphic and meteorological observations. 



Fourth, we are very greatly indebted to the many cooperating agen- 

 cies in this country and abroad which now contribute to the ocean 

 meteorological system. 



Many of our observations come from cooperative observers who 

 receive no pay or fee whatsoever for the time and interest they devote 

 to daily weather observations at sea. 



Our reports are obtained at minimum costs for communication 

 toUs and for the most part the entire system depends prnnarily on 

 voluntary cooperative observers and communicators. Our trust in 

 them has been proven to be well placed. 



The value of the ocean weather forecasting, storm warning and 

 research services in their contribution to protection of life and prop- 

 erty on the oceans and along the coasts exceeds a hundredfold or more 

 the relatively modest funds devoted to this science which deals Avith 

 four-fifths of the earth's surface. 



Further development of the possibilities would increase these con- 

 tributions to national welfare and human progress manyfold more. 

 I could bring out other possibilities such as the controversial subject 

 of manmade weather control, but in this subject as in many others 

 involving ocean weather and oceanography we must have much more 



