OCEAN SCIENCES AND NATIONAL SECURITY 77 



field; a summation of the subject by Dr. Columbus O'D. Iselin has 

 been extracted as follows to illuminate this problem further: 



There are certain aspects of oceanography that are essentially independent of 

 time. For example, most problems in submarine geology can be taken up next 

 year or the vear after. There are other important questions that are strongly 

 time dependent. Often the problem involves seasonal variations. Less fre- 

 quently, it is a question of comparing data gained at the same season and place 

 one year after the other. 



In planning his field investigations, the oceanographer is continually beset by 

 questions of timing and weather. It is usually unprofitable to send a ship North 

 in the winter months, for the number of reasonably calm days on a given cruise 

 may be so few that almost nothing new is discovered. In winter, beyond the limits 

 of loran reception, even navigation may be hopelessly uncertain in stormy weather. 

 It becomes impossible to carry out effective field observations in the research vessel 

 available today as the wind increases beyond about Force 5 (17-21 knots). Thus 

 for the most part, the ocean can only be adequately described for the calmer sea- 

 sons and for the calmer latitudes. 



Even in low latitudes, prevalent tropical storms at certain seasons have resulted 

 in big gaps in our knowledge concerning seasonal changes. For the most part, 

 what can be done by dodging the bad weather has by now been done. A major 

 need in the marine "sciences today is to round out both the picture of seasonal 

 changes and to secure observations, for example, acoustical observations, during 

 the progress of a storm. 



Undoubtedly, the chief limitation of the vessels today is their inability to make 

 scientific observations except in relatively moderate weather, and therefore a 

 primary objective of this study is to develop superior sea-keeping vessels within 

 reasonable limitations of size, first cost and operating expense, and to thus make all 

 weather oceanography possible. 



As above stated, the prime requirement of a research ship is seaworthiness. 

 Not only must every gale be rode out successfully, but the observational program 

 must continue for as long as possible before heaving to, and when hove to, the ship 

 must be able to maintain her position so that precious time is not lost in regaining 

 her station. In this respect the interest of the oceanographer corresponds exactly 

 with that of the fisherman. In both cases, it is the maximum number of working 

 days in a selected area that counts, rather than a round voyage at minimum expense, 

 which is the prime objective of merchant ships. For fishing and for science, the 

 cost of fuel is a secondary consideration, compared with the ability to continue 

 with the work at hand. If advisable, the merchant ship can lengthen the course 

 in order to avoid storms, but the oceanographer does not want to have to give way 

 to the weather. That he has had to do so in the past is very evident, when one 

 observes the distribution of oceanographic stations; in the winter months there are 

 few data from high latitudes. We know almost nothing about the Gulf Stream 

 between the months of November and April, for example. In winter, the oceano- 

 graphic vessel usually heads South, because only in that way can the number of 

 working days per voyage be kept at a favorable level. 



Some aspects of seaworthiness can, of course, be gained by increasing the size 

 of the vessel. However, even if expense were no consideration, the oceanographer 

 prefers a not too large ship. As in fishing, the height of the working deck above 

 the water should be kept as small as is consistent with reasonably dry decks, 

 since the safe handling of instruments and nets in and out of the water is a prime 

 consideration. Furthermore, both operations are carried out while stopped and 

 with the sea abeam, during which time it becomes most desirable to reduce leeway; 

 a deep draft and a well balanced above water profile are therefore im.portant 

 design features.^* 



Further details concerning the design of modern oceanographic 

 research ships that can be used as a criterion when evaluating the 

 adequacy of the current fleet were presented by Lester Kosenblatt to 

 the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, May 26-28, 

 1960, significant portions of which have been extracted as follows: 



Current requirements of oceanographic research are such that a vessel must be 

 capable of providing a satisfactory working platform at sea state 5 minimum 



53 "Report on a Pre-design Engineerine Study of the Development of Superior Ships for Oceanographic 

 Research," by Francis Minot, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Ref. Xo. 58-2G, 1953. 



