129 



variety of their research experience it would seem particularly wise to have 

 them operate the prototype research vessel. 



CONCLUSIONS 



In view of the foregoing considerations it is recommended that construc- 

 tion of seagoing oceanographic vessels to investigate new designs which would 

 lead to increased efficiency in the accumulation of knowledge concerning the 

 oceans. These designs should incorporate features of seaworthiness and utility 

 and should contain provisions for the efficient pursuance of physical, chemical, 

 biological and geological oceanography and their closely related sciences. 



DISCUSSION: John Lyman 



The following observations pertain directly to the features considered 

 desirable in a vessel of about 150 feet in length, the size proposed by Mr. Kiel- 

 horn. The basic principles of design could probably be retained in smaller ves- 

 sels, down to perhaps 90 feet in length, should budgetary considerations make a 

 smaller vessel more suitable. 



GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 



The ability efficiently to conduct various types of oceanographic investi- 

 gations at sea is in itself a military characteristic of fundamental importance, 

 and should not be compromised to include any other function, such as carrying 

 an armament, training, patrol duty, minesweeping, or picket duty. Indeed, 

 one might even go so far as to suggest that some care should be used in prepar- 

 ing the design of an oceanographic vessel to avoid features that would facilitate 

 conversion to other duty. 



The military characteristics of an oceanographic vessel therefore are 

 precisely the characteristics that are best suited to her employment as an 

 oceanographic vessel. Mr. Kielhorn's proposed design, while it undoubtedly 

 would produce a seaworthy, easily handled vessel with comfortable quarters 

 and ample power, would not particularly be suitable for oceanographic duties. 

 The most desirable parts of his ship are occupied by the bridge and engine-room 

 while the oceanographers are relegated to the fan-tail, and must lower their 

 gear in close proximity to the shafts, rudder, and screws. 



Figure 1 constitutes the outline sketches of a design in which the maxi- 

 mum number of qualities useful in an oceanographic vessel have been incorporat- 

 ed without particular regard to other features traditional in naval vessels. The 

 result, frankly, is a vessel bearing a strong resemblance to the "steam schoon- 

 ers" that formely carried lumber on the Pacific Coast. For convenience, we 

 will name her the R/V SUITLAND. Some of the thoughts on which this design 

 is based are the following: 



RIGGING 



Instead of the single nnast amidships, surmounting a pyramidal super- 

 structure -- a design that grew out of the requirement that a vessel should shoot 

 away a mininnum of her own superstructure with her own anit-aircraft arament, 

 the SUITLAND has a foremast with two booms and a goal-post rhainnnast with 

 two booms. Each boom is T^-ton capacity, permitting the handling of any load 

 that can be supported by a i" dia. wire, while a four-point suspension ensures 

 adequate control of even the most awkwardly shaped pieces of apparatus. 



