'272 OCEANOGRAPHY 1961 — PHASE 3 



is recognized throughout the world. Therefore, I see no need for this 

 portion of H.K. 4276. 



Perhaps I can illustrate this point by mentioning the well-pub- 

 licized difference in oxygen analysis on the two sides of the At- 

 lantic — a difference recognized by the scientists at an early stage of 

 their research and one in which our chemists at Woods Hole have 

 taken a lead in correcting. This difference was not due to a lack 

 of primary standards, but, rather, to a lack in understanding of 

 the chemical processes involved in the analysis which could only 

 be resolved by research investigations into these basic processes 

 themselves. 



An Instrumentation Test and Calibration Center could be help- 

 ful in some aspects of oceanographic research and development. This 

 is especially the case in the instrumentation required for large-scale 

 survey work. Of course, such an instrumentation center does not re- 

 lieve the individual investigator of the responsibility for accuracy of 

 his results. Quality control must be maintained by those directly 

 conducting the surveys, and camiot be transferred to a calibration 

 center. Again, it seems to me that no research establishment should 

 be diverted by wholesale calibration of equipment, and that the Na- 

 tional Bureau of Standards is uniquely capable of undertaking this 

 project. 



Finally, section 8 of H.R. 4276 requires that the title of any vessel 

 supplied by the United States to any activity in order to carry out 

 the purposes of this act, which includes oceanographic research, shall 

 remain in the United States. 



I am aware that the grant for aTnew research vessel by the Na- 

 tional Science Foundation to our institution in Woods Hole has been 

 Tinder discussion in this connection, and, therefore, I find myself in an 

 awkward position in discussing this section. This is, however, a point 

 on which we in Woods Hole, together with the vast majority of ocean- 

 ographers throughout the country, do feel strongly. Therefore per- 

 mit me, gentlemen, to present our opinions on this point as for,th- 

 rightly and as constructively as I possibly can. 



As you know, we operate the research vessel Chain in behalf of the 

 U.S. Navy, with whom title for this converted rescue and salvage 

 vessel rests. In the course of over three decades of oceanographic 

 research, we have operated 17 other major research vessels at one time 

 or another, all of which we have owned outright. Of these, only the 

 research vessel AtlanfAs was especially designed for oceanography — 

 the others being conversions from a wide variety of other uses. The 

 replacement of the Atlantis is an urgent project with us, and the as- 

 sistai^ce from the National Science Foundation in this regard has been 

 greatly appreciated. 



Thus, we have experienced in operating both publicly owned and 

 privately owned vessels. On the basis of this experience, we believe 

 that existing policy which provides for both types of ownership is 

 wise. 



As we understand it, the Navy plans to retain title wherein they can 

 provide ships to private research laboratories, such as ours at Woods 

 Hole, and the National Science Foundation plans to give title to the 

 reseorch institutions. Thus, both methods can be tried and utilized 

 and by experimental evidence we can determine a future- wise course. 



