PREFACE 



During the months of July and August, 1949, the U.S. Navy Electronics Lab- 

 oratory and the Canadian Pacific Oceanographic Group collaborated in a varied pro- 

 gram of acoustical and oceanographic research, mainly in the Bering and Chukchi Seas. 

 This joint venture was made possible through the cooperation of agencies of the Canadian 

 and United States Navies who furnished the vessels and necessary funds for the cruise. 



Oceanographic measurements aboard the United States vessels were taken pri- 

 marily for the evaluation of experimental sound-transmission and sound-propagation 

 data. The collection of sound data took priority, and oceanographic data could be col- 

 lected only when no interference with sound experiments was assured. The time of the 

 Canadian vessel was devoted exclusively to oceanography, and the data collected by 

 this ship are intended to supplement our present knowledge of the physical and chemical 

 characteristics of arctic waters. 



The expedition was made by three ships which formed a small task group under 

 the military command of Commander John D. Mason, USN. Dr. Waldo K. Lyon of the 

 Navy Electronics Laboratory directed the entire acoustic and oceanographic program, 

 with Dr. J. P. Tully of the Pacific Oceanographic Group as senior scientist in charge of 

 the Canadian group. 



Participating ships were: 



USS BAYA (AG(SS) 318), under the command of CDR John D. Mason, USN; 

 HMCS CEDARWOOD, under the command of LCDR J. E. Wolfenden, RCN(R); 

 USS EPCE(R) 857, under the command of LCDR D. J. McMillan, USN. 



The oceanographic program was divided into three major parts: 



1. Physical oceanographic studies. These were carried on primarily aboard 

 HMCS CEDARWOOD and from a shore station at Cape Prince of Wales. Some sup- 

 plemental data were collected aboard USS EPCE(R) 857 and USS BAYA. 



2. Oceanographic measurements as adjuncts to, and in support of, sonar work. 

 These measurements were taken from USS BAYA and USS EPCE(R) 857. 



3. Sea floor and biological studies. This work was primarily conducted aboard 

 USS EPCE(R) 857, with some additional work on HMCS CEDARWOOD. 



