Interest in drag -reducing polymers was continued at the sixth symposium in 

 1966, together with discussion of problems in cavitation, maneuvering, and the 

 effect of ocean waves on ship resistance and the towing of ocean platforms. 



It is submitted that these symposia have been significant factors in contrib- 

 uting to the progress of hydrodynamics and have become patterns of the type of 

 international scientific interaction that is so greatly needed in today's world of 

 exploding technology. . , . . ;.■,„.. . _ -. i 



It has long been recognized that— as then Foreign Minister Fanfani stated in 

 his address to NATO on the Technology Gap -"on both sides of the Atlantic there 

 exist discoveries that are officially of the public domain which cannot be use- 

 fully put to profit ... due to a lack of complete information." These symposia 

 and the outstanding proceedings which have resulted from them are significant 

 contributions to the "efficient system for the exchange of information and knowl- 

 edge" that the Foreign Minister called for. 



The United States Office of Naval Research is proud to have long supported 

 and contributed to effective exchange of scientific knowledge wherever and when- 

 ever possible. Science, of course, is mainly concerned with the secrets of nature 

 which are revealed to and by the researcher. Today the relentless attack on 

 nature's secrets goes on simultaneously in thousands of laboratories and research 

 centers throughout the world. These numerous research programs are based on 

 an extensive, freely available bank of knowledge, developed and verified through 

 the ages. 



It is, therefore, no surprise that a current line of research undertaken at 

 one laboratory may be concurrently explored elsewhere or that the process in 

 both instances can and will profit from timely exchange of findings. I believe it 

 is also demonstrable that all parties benefit from such exchanges. When an in- 

 vestigator works in the dark, whether it be because of imposed secrecy or be- 

 cause of lack of adequate flow of information, the quality of his research is bound 

 to decline. Free critical discussion and exposure to new ideas are powerful 

 catalysts to creativity. 



But research in itself is not sufficient; the results must be developed by 

 engineering skills to the point where they can influence the design of new ships 

 and weapons. Moreover, the needs in the application field can and must in their 

 turn influence future research. In a gathering such as the one assembled here 

 today, containing research workers, naval architects, and engineers, there is a 

 wonderful opportunity for an exchange of views whichcannot but exert a beneficial 

 influence on the future. 



As Commanding Officer of the Office of Naval Research Branch Office, 

 London, I have observed and appreciated the enthusiasm and encouragement 

 generated by the spirited exchanges between our liaison scientists and their 

 European colleagues. Ours at ONR London is but a small effort but one which 

 pays big dividends in improving scientific knowledge and in building mutual 

 respect and lifelong friendships between scientists of many nations. 



xix 



