OCEAN SCIENCES AND NATIONAL SECURITY 143 



tained through hydrographic surveying are activities over-ripe for 

 development of special facihties and responsibilities, includmg the use 

 of automatic computers. NASCO and the Government organizations 

 concerned have urged establishment of a national data center at the 

 U.S. Hydrographic Office. 



However, the pattern of data centers established during the IGY 

 may also be a factor in evaluating future growth of organizations 

 performing research functions. During IGY, Texas A. & M. College 

 which is an active participant in the national oceanographic program, 

 was selected to be the U.S. custodian of all data collected by all na- 

 tional and scientific parties collaborating on the international program. 

 The effectiveness of these data centers, and their future destiny have 

 not been investigated, but the experience derived from their use should 

 be instructive. 



This leads to a question as to whether industrial laboratories fit into 

 this picture in greater numbers than in the past. 



In the main, industrial organizations have shown their strongest 

 capabilities in the conduct of developmental projects, rather than 

 research. Few have been able to attract the scholars who seem des- 

 tined to remain in a imiversity environment. Industrial laboratories 

 may thus not be able to provide the talent required in the direct con- 

 duct of oceanic research. Relative industrial participation is sug- 

 gested in Table 12. 



On the other hand, industrial engineering concerns have capabilities 

 to supplement skills in oceanographic laboratories for the design of 

 special test facilities and vehicles that are visualized for the future. 

 Industrial entrance into that area is also compatible with the more 

 familiar pattern of an association of commercial interests with the sea 

 in terms of new construction. 



Expansion in the area of militarv oceanography, hov\'ever, is a 

 different matter. Technological advancement in antisubmarine war- 

 fare seems destined to grow, and the energies and imagination of solv- 

 ing practical problems of devices and systems may continue, as it has 

 in the past, to be largely developed through contracts with industrial 

 laboratories. 



In brief, industrial interests in the sea thus relate most strongly 

 to engineering ventures such as cable laying and off-shore drilling, to 

 contract research in the area of military oceanograph}', and to the 

 design and construction of oceanographic ships and vehicles. AU of 

 these developmental activities must di'aw on basic knowledge of the 

 sea, in more or less degree. It can thus be argued that private industr}' 

 has a stake in supporting oceanic research more than is presently 

 evident, because it will become an immediate beneficiary of results 

 of research. At the same time, industr}^ has only limited incentives 

 for investing their own funds in fundamental research in the oceans 

 because it would be uni-easonable to make such research proprietary*; 

 without such protection aU organizations having access to the results 

 would benefit and motivation would be diminished. On the other 

 hand, all elements of those industries having an interest in the sea could 

 pool their contributions for research through cooperative enterprises, a 

 device frequently emploj'ed b}^ trade associations, and used in con- 

 siderable measure by such groups as the American Petroleum Institute. 

 // the universities and nonprojit research centers prove to be the focal 

 points for oceanic research, their needs for increased facilities might 

 he partially answered by endowments and contributions from those 



