I . INTRODUCTION 



A research experiment was designed and implemented to study the 

 interaction of the ocean and atmosphere and to relate these effects to 

 the problems involved in the ASWEPS program. An oceanographic research 

 team, consisting of nine Oceanographers , one Physical Science Technician, 

 one Electronic Engineer , and two Electronic Development Technicians , was 

 assigned to the USS SAN PABLO (AGS -30) to conduct the field work. The 

 Tongue of the Ocean (TOTO) was selected as the most appropriate site for 

 the experiment because it is a unique feature in the ocean with its rather 

 steep slope and extremely flat and deep bottom and because of the avail- 

 ability of a 3-point mooring system installed at 24 35'N, 77°34'W. In 

 addition, environmental results obtained aboard the USNS GIBBS during a 

 preliminary survey of the TOTO in December 1959 and the work of the 

 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and the University of Miami indicated 

 that the TOTO would serve as an excellent field laboratory for the study 

 of internal waves. Eighteen oceanographic stations were occupied, 

 including a 5-day anchor station at the 3-point mooring system southeast 

 of High Cay and a 2-day anchor station just east of Big Wood Cay. Figure 

 1 shows the approximate locations of the stations occupied in the TOTO. 



II. RESEARCH EXPERIMENT 



The experiment was conducted to determine the distribution in time 

 and space of the horizontal and vertical temperature field; the energy 

 exchange between the sea and the atmosphere was studied, particularly 

 with respect to changes in the vertical temperature structure; data were 

 obtained for use to evaluate the advective term in the distribution 

 equation; studies of the density structure were accomplished by means of 

 temperature and salinity measurements; and associated meteorological data 

 were obtained to supplement the above. Since density is a governing 

 factor in the behavior of internal waves, oceanographic casts were made 

 to measure this variable. From the system of anchored buoys (thermal 

 array) recording concurrently, it is believed that wave length and speed 

 of propagation of the internal waves can be derived. Appendix I outlines 

 a plan and proposed method of analysis for the study of internal waves. 

 Time series data produced by the thermal array will be subjected to 

 power spectrum analysis and the results will be used as a basis for the 

 development of a prediction technique for thermal structure. 



A. THERMAL ARRAY 



Temperature measuring devices were assembled in an array. This was 

 accomplished by using the anchoring cables of the permanent mooring 

 bridle system, to which were attached 19 wire resistance thermometers 

 at selected depths; an 11-point thermistor chain streamed from the USS SAN 

 PABLO, and by lowering BT's. A schematic diagram of this installation 

 is shown in Figure 2. Results of previous surveys in the TOTO indicated 

 the depth of the thermocline at approximately 400 feet. Accordingly, 

 the electrical cable and sensing elements were fabricated for this depth. 



