xXx REPORT OF THE COUNCIL, 1920-21. 
II. 
‘Challenger’ Expedition. 
The Challenger expedition, the great British cireumnavigating and deep-sea 
exploring expedition under Sir George Nares and Sir Wyville Thomson in 
1872-76, brought back collections and results unrivalled either before or since, 
which added enormously to our scientific and practical knowledge of the oceans. 
Our knowledge of the science of the sea, however, has undergone great changes 
during the last half-century. Physics, Chemistry, Geology, Zoology, Botany, 
Physiology, and Geography all have problems awaiting solution,’ and there are 
many modern methods of investigation of the ocean depths which have been 
devised or improved since the days of the Challenger. All civilised nations of 
the world have contributed by means of expeditions during the last quarter- 
century to the advance of oceanography, and it is remarkable that our country, 
considering the relations of our Empire to the oceans, has done comparatively 
little. In view of our maritime position, of the pre-eminence of our Navy, of 
our great mercantile marine, and of our sea-fisheries, Great Britain should 
undoubtedly lead the world in oceanographical research. 
TL, 
Scope and Period of Proposed Expedition. 
Such an expedition as is contemplated ought, in order to make worthy contri- 
butions to science, to be at least as extensive in duration and as comprehensive 
in scope as the Challenger Expedition. It oughi to explore ail the great oceans 
during a period of three or four years. It ought to be prepared to establish 
landing parties on oceanic islands, coral reefs, and other places where special 
detailed explorations on shore or in shallow water are required. Special 
scientific apparatus may have to be devised, and young scientific men may 
have to be trained to-fit them for the work of such an expedition. At 
least one year, therefore, would have to be devoted to the work of preparation. 
It will be apparent from the Appendix to this statement that a number of the 
investigations proposed are of the highest direct practical importance, and there 
are many reasons why it is important that the scheme should be initiated and 
preparations organised with as little delay as possible. 
Ship. 
Preliminary inquiries lead tentatively to the belief that a vessel of the 
mercantile marine, of about 3,000 tons, chartered by H.M. Government for the 
occasion, would best suit the general purposes of the expedition; with the possible 
exception, as already indicated, of certain investigations which might be carried 
out independently of the main body. 
Date of Departure.’ 
It has been suggested that the expedition should start in the summer of 1922, 
which date would, incidentally, permit of its conveying the astronomical 
observers of the eclipse of the sun visible on September 30 of that year in the 
Maldive Islands (Indian Ocean). 
Scientific Personnel. 
It is estimated that the scientific staff of such an expedition should consist of 
a director with ten or twelve assistants, exclusive of landing parties and any 
officers of the Royal Navy who might be detailed for special investigations for 
Admiralty purposes. 
Cost. 
While it is difficult under present conditions, and in the present preliminary 
stage of inquiry into the possibility and scope of the expedition, to form any 
near estimate of its cost, it is believed that (apart from the provision of the 
1 See Schedule appended for a Summary of the proposed investigations. 
2 This clause is now subject to the Council’s decision stated in Report § IT. 
