ABSTRACT 



A 5-foot model of a proposed oceanographic research vessel was 

 tested for seaworthiness. Measurements of speed, pitch, and heave were 

 made in a variety of wave conditions with the model heading into the waves, 

 and qualitative observations were made in several wave conditions with the 

 model in following seas. 



INTRODUCTION 

 BACKGROUND 



The broad definition of oceanography as "the science which is done at sea" 1 may be 

 taken to epitomize the notion that it is the science which results when the naval architect, 

 the hydrodynamicist, the meteorologist, the seismologist, the biologist, and the chemist turn 

 their attention to the study of the sea. 



The diversified character of the studies means that a ship designed to conduct such 

 research must meet, specifically or by compromise, needs which may be common to or con- 

 flicting among the various branches. To list but a few of the items of equipment and facilities 

 which must be available at one time or another, there are echo-sounding gear, explosives for 

 seismological work, trawls of various kinds, snappers, dredges and corers for bottom-sampling, 

 means of taking water samples and temperature, and laboratories and stowage facilities for 

 samples and specimens. 



THE PROBLEM 



The problem of designing a ship specifically for oceanographic research is far from 

 simple. Should she be large like the Russian hydrographic ship WITJAS, purportedly of 

 5500 tons displacement, 2 or small like the 380-ton ATLANTIS, should she be a 12 or a 16 

 knot ship, and should it be attemped to provide for all types of acoustical work — these are 

 only a few of the difficult questions that must be answered. 



The per-diem cost of an oceanographic expedition is quite high and is one of the more 

 important factors which put an upper limit on the size of the research ship. The ship must be 

 large enough to carry sufficient personnel and equipment to make an expedition scientifically 

 profitable, and yet her requirements as to crew, rations, and fuel— not to mention maintenance 

 cost between cruises— must be modest. 



Seaworthiness is of course a basic requirement of any vessel intended for long periods 

 of blue-water sailing, but more is desired of the research ship than mere ability to survive 

 heavy weather. It is desirable to reduce the sea-excited motion of the ship as much as possible. 

 Excessive motion not only means misery and consequent inefficiency for personnel but adds 



References are listed on page 9. 



