THE PROBLEM 



Conduct survey and field studies in the Arctic Ocean which will furnish basic geo- 

 physical data significant to arctic naval warfare. This report covers an evaluation of 

 data obtained during the period 1953 through 1955 at the Cape Prince of Wales Field 

 Station. The operation of the station continues as part of an over-all program to obtain 

 physical-oceanographic data pertinent to predicting ice coverage for the Bering-Chukchi- 

 Beaufort Sea area. 



RESULTS 



1. A northerly volume transport varying from 0.8 to 3.1 X 10® cubic meters per second 

 appears characteristic of the period August through November. 



2. An area of maximum current velocities is indicated in the 8-to-12 mile section of 

 the eastern Bering Strait. 



3. Omitting initial freeze-up discontinuities, the logarithm of accumulated degree days 

 below 29°F exhibits essentially a linear relationship with fast ice accretion at Wales, 

 Alaska. 



4. Average total ice growth at Wales is 46 to 48 inches, with first slush ice formed late 

 October to early November and fast ice break-up normally completed by mid-June. 



RECOMMENDATIONS 



1. Extend and make simultaneous oceanographic and meteorological measurements 

 essential to a detailed analysis of the sea ice-heat budget regime. 



2. Continue measurements of average water transport through the Bering Strait. 



3. Conduct daily sea water temperature measurements from strategic points along 

 the northwestern Alaskan coast. 



4. Conduct sonar studies in respect to the effect of ice coverage and movement on 

 ambient noise and passive detection ranges. 



ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION 



This work was initiated under SW 01402, NE 121217-1 (NEL L6-1), and was carried 

 out by members of the Special Research Division. The report was approved for publica- 

 tion 18 October 1956. 



The over-all program at Wales has included observations on related special projects, 

 as follows, for other NEL codes and Naval activities, as time and manpower permitted; 

 these projects are to be reported by the cognizant activity. 



1. Microwave propagation to determine the variation in radar signals over fixed paths 

 and to study effect of ice coverage as well as meteorological conditions along the 

 transmission path. 



2. Ultra-low-frequency propagation and variation in signal strength. 



3. Atmospheric radioactivity background measurements. 



New facilities to be installed at Wales during the summer of 1956 include complete 

 new electrode systems using Type-216 submarine harbor defense cable together with 

 sea units for the study of (a) bottom temperatures (at 1-, 2-, and 5-mile offshore points), 

 (b) wave amplitude and period, (c) low frequency ambient noise spectrum, (d) water 

 velocity at a fixed position, (e) variation in water depth and ice movement, and (f) 

 sound velocity. 



Major changes in the Wales Field Station were the erection during the summer of 1955 

 of two standard 20-foot-by-48 foot BuYards and Docks arctic-type quonsets to provide 

 essential storage, laboratory, and garage space and the installation of a 15,000-gallon 

 bulk diesel fuel storage and distribution system. 



The author wishes to acknowledge the contribution of E. E. Howick and R. N. Rowray 

 to the direct field measurement program and to the tedious task of reducing the 

 numerous field data, and the assistance of A. C. Walker in the design and construction of 

 thermal units and electrode elements. Many unnamed people participated in the field 

 work and encountered much discomfort, particularly during the current survey program; 

 to these hardy individuals the author ofFers his thanks. 



MBL/WHOI 



D3D1 0040555 



