FOREWORD 



The U. S. Navy Hydrographic Office in the conduct of its ocean sur- 

 vey program has become one of the largest users of equipment and 

 instruments required to carry out this work. More than two years ago 

 it became evident that a comprehensive study was needed to assess 

 the available instrumentation and recommend a future course of ac- 

 tion that would insure the rapid acquisition, processing, and storage 

 of accurate marine environmental data. Accordingly, in March 1958, 

 a Committee on Instrumentation was formed within the U. S. Navy 

 Hydrographic Office to conduct the study and report its findings. 

 The Committee issued its report in the summer of 1959. The report 

 was intended solely for n in-house n use and guidance. However, word of 

 the report spread and the limited supply of available copies was soon 

 exhausted. Interest in the report indicated that wide distribution would 

 be very worthwhile. 



This present edition is a revision of the earlier report to make it 

 more suitable for external distribution. Although it was the Commit- 

 tee's intention to be comprehensive, no claim is made that the report 

 represents an exhaustive study. Some equipments or instruments have 

 undoubtedly been overlooked. For others, improvements or new devel- 

 opments may have been made in the past year that are not incorporated 

 in the report. Similarly, references when cited in the various sections 

 are not intended to be all inclusive. 



In conclusion, it is not the intent or purpose of this report, by inclu- 

 sion or omission, by favorable or unfavorable comment, to recommend 

 or degrade any one instrument or system with respect to another. Rather 

 it is hoped that this report will serve as a stimulus to focus attention 

 on, and remedy some of the deficiencies in, the entire field of marine 

 geophysical instrumentation. Comments which may either improve or 

 correct this report are invited. 



Rear AdmirAJ U. S. Navy 

 Hydrographer 



