II. SURVEY OPERATIONS 

 A. Conduct of Survey 



1. Norwegian Sea - New York 



The survey was conducted along tracks that correspond roughly 

 to great-circle routes between the Norwegian Sea and New York. 



(Fig. 1) At 0330, 20 November 1961, the three ships rendezvoused in 

 the Norwegian Sea. At this time, they formed a three-abreast array to 

 be maintained during the Atlantic crossing. BOWDITCH assumed the 

 center position and was responsible for setting the course and speed 

 during the survey. BUTTON took a position 10 miles to the northward 

 of BOWDITCH, and MICHELSON took a position 10 miles to the southward 

 of BOWDITCH. These positions were maintained until 0900, 27 November, 

 At that point, about 1200 miles from New York, MICHELSON developed 

 boiler trouble and was unable to maintain survey speed. MICHELSON 

 broke formation at 0230, 28 November, and set a direct course for 

 New York. BOWDITCH and DUTTON continued in formation on a route 

 south of Georges Bank. When the three ships arrived in New York on 

 1 December 1961, they had completed a combined total of approximately 

 9350 miles of survey track. 



Adverse weather conditions prevailed during most of the crossing. 

 Because of this, the ships' speeds varied from 12 to 17 knots. On a 

 few occasions, the seas were too rough to tow the magnetometer sensing 

 units. At 1100, 29 November, the magnetometer sensing unit towed by 

 DUTTON was damaged because of constant jerking in heavy seas. A spare 

 was available, but rough seas prevented launching during the remaining 

 300 miles of the trip. 



