181 



The Smithsonian Institution is also participating in the use of some 

 of our more modern submerisibles, especially those tha/t have lockout 

 ■capability. There are two reasons for this : 



One, our marine biolocjists are very much interested in closeup ex- 

 amination of the living- flora and fauna on location instead of having 

 to depend almost exclusively on dredging and netting operations to 

 determine what actually happens. Therefore, visual observations over 

 an extended period of time, that are becoming available through some 

 of the new submersibles, offer exciting opportunities for advancing our 

 knowledge of the ecology of the seabed and the waters above it. 



Also, we are making use of, and hope to make more use of, these 

 modern submersibles for underwater archeological research. Many 

 of the archeological theories about past occurrences relate to our under- 

 standing of oceanic dynamics. I cite the lost continent of Atlantis, 

 not as a serious program for the Smithsonian, but merely to epitomize 

 or to show the relationship between an improved understanding of 

 imderwater archeology and some of the current theories on oceano- 

 graphic changes. 



We plan to convene a small group of eminent marine archeologists 

 from around the world in the near future and hope to develop and 

 field a program of marine archeology that will extend our knowledge 

 of ancient occurances in certain areas presently under water. 



I believe, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, this is a 

 representative group of highlights of what we are doing. 



(Prepared statement of Mr. Ripley follows :) 



Statement of S. Dillon Ripley, Secketary, Smithsonian Institution 



Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of tlie Committee : 



The Smithsonian Institution was established in 1846 with a Congressional 

 •charge to carry out activities for "the increase and diffusion of knowledge 

 among men." It is highly appropriate for this series of hearings to request a 

 report on the actions of the Smithsonian which relate to oceanography, and for 

 the Congress to consider the effectiveness of the Smithsonian in contributing to 

 the national objectives in marine resources and engineering development. 



As a basic research organization the Institution has pioneered in several 

 research fields, contributing directly to the establishment of the Weather Bureau, 

 the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, the Geological Survey, the National Ad- 

 visory Committee on Aeronautics, and others. The first Assistant Secretary, and 

 later Secretary, Spencer F. Baird, was the first Smithsonian oceanographer. 

 During the late 1850's and early 1860's he directed his attention to the population 

 fluctuations of fishes off the New England coast and spent his summers investi- 

 gating the species and distribution of the fishes off the New England coast. 



Our interest in ichthyology has been continuous since the time of Dr. Baird, 

 Drs. Louis Agassiz, and David Starr Jordan. The Smithsonian Institution is 

 the repository of one of the finest collections of marine organisms ranging from 

 algae through clams and fishes to whales, both fossil and recent, which have 

 made the Institution a mecca for scientists engaged in research on marine 

 ■organisms. 



Our interest in marine geological specimens also dates from the original 

 Smithsonian Institution Act when the Congress provided that all rocks, minerals, 

 geological and biological specimens collected by any U.S. government agency 

 and brought into the District of Columbia "shall" belong to the Smithsonian 

 Institution. As reaffirmed and broadened by the Geological Survey Act of 1879, 

 the reference to the District of Columbia was eliminated. We have substantial 

 geological collections of rocks, minerals, and sediments. 



The Smithsonian Institution's contributions to biological oceanography has 

 heen recognized by numerous national committees entrusted with the task of 

 developing a U.S. national program in oceanography. For example, the National 



