Cover Illustration: The "A-Boat" 



It is doubtful that the many new, fairly luxurious, research vessels 

 ever will obtain the affection and nostalgia reserved for the famed 

 ATLANTIS. 



The ATLANTIS, designed and built for the Woods Hole Oceano- 

 graphic Institution in 1931, sailed about one million miles in some 30 

 years during 270 cruises lasting from a few days to 6 or 7 months. On 

 the average, the ship was at sea 250 days a year, working in the North 

 and South Atlantic and adjacent gulfs and seas, the Pacific and Indian 

 Oceans, and the Red Sea. Her two capable deep sea winches were used 

 thousands of times to probe the ocean at all but the greatest depths. 



Statistics show only part of the story. The ATLANTIS probably 

 made more hydrographic stations than any other ship. More important, 

 she was the principal instrument in advancing the growth of modern 

 knowledge of the ocean. Young men who became leaders in oceanog- 

 raphy obtained their sea legs on her. Most of the modern equipment and 

 techniques were tried out and developed on board the ATLANTIS. Her 

 work in the Gulf Stream greatly advanced our knowledge of that vast 

 current. 



Increasingly more accurate methods of echo sounding showed the 

 roughness of the sea bottom and extended our knowledge of the Mid- 

 Atlantic Ridge. The land-based method of seismic exploration was taken 

 out to sea and revealed the thinness of the earth's crust beneath the 

 ocean. 



Regardless of her small size, she did a tremendous amount of work. 

 Her accommodations were none too luxurious; living and working con- 

 ditions were arduous, particularly in the tropics, as she was not air- 

 conditioned. Yet, the small number in her crew (19) and scientific 

 party (8 or 9) made for a great camaraderie and created a stubbornness 

 to "get the work done," regardless of difficulties. Boys, who came on 

 board "through the hawse hole" were taught navigation and seamanship 

 and how to get along with the demands of science. Today, many of 

 them are officers on the large new vessels. 



The ATLANTIS was a lucky ship. She went through many a fierce 

 storm and several hurricanes with but minor damage. She never lost a 

 man overboard nor was anyone seriously injured. 



Unfortunately, age and heavy sea duty began to tell. She was re- 

 placed by the much larger, modern ATLANTIS II. On November 11, 

 1966, the "A-boat,"as she was known affectionately ,jleft Woods Hole 

 to continue her career under the name EL AUSTRAL for the Hydro- 

 graphic Office of the Argentine Navy. Many of those who saw her off 

 were seen to wipe a tear from their eyes. 



Jan Hahn 

 Editor, Oceanus 



