OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 



25 



vessels, every time they are in port, answer any questions, look over 

 the records that have been made, inspect the instruments and try to 

 promote interest. Some of the mates and others who take 

 observations are very enthusiastic. 



We get letters from them. They know that they are rendering a 

 public service and they really feel like they are participants in an 

 important program, which they are. 



In other cas(>s, we have not yet been able to develop the interest and 

 the accuracy that we should have for scientific purposes. 



Mr. Drewry. Tliese six ships you mentioned are actual merchant 

 ships? 



Mr. Reichelderfer. They are, yes. 



Mr. Drewry. Where are they? Are these passenger sliips? 



Mr. Reichelderfer. There are, I believe, four in the Atlantic 

 and two in the Pacific. 



May I ask Mr. Laro? 



Mr. Laro. Sir, most of these are on special routes on the Atlantic 

 and the Pacific constantly in motion taking the upper air soundings 

 as well as the surface observations. 



Mr. Drewry. Do you have the names of the ships or the 

 companies? 



Mr. Laro. It is not available here, sir. 



Mr. Reichelderfer. We can furnish that for the record. We 

 will supply it. 



(The information follows:) 



U.S. Department of Commerce, 



Weather Bureau, 

 Washington, February 12, 1960. 

 Hon. George P. Miller, 



Chairman, Special Subcomniittee on Oceanography, 

 Committee on Merchant Alarine and Fisheries, 

 House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 



Dear Mr. Chairman: Enclosed is the information regarding the Weather 

 Bureau's moving ship upper air sounding program in the Atlantic, Pacific, and 

 Gulf of Mexico as requested bv members of your committee at the hearings on 

 February 9, 1960. 



This program at the present time is primarily conducted aboard MSTS vessels 

 in lieu of commercial carriers under a mutually supported program with the 

 Navy Department. 



If we can pro^'ide any further information please let us know. 

 Sincerely yours, 



F. W. Reichelderfer, Chief of Bureau. 



