176 
March 30, 1972 
Dr. D. Carleton Gajdusek., Chief 
Chronic Disease Studies Section 
NINDS, NIH 
Bethesda, Maryland 
Dear Dr . Caj dusek : 
Thank you for your letter of 18 March 1972 giving an expanded version of 
the expedition itinerary, completing the scientific roster, advising on the ship 
operations clearance and outlining your post-expedition transport wishes. 
Your NIH associates are now filling in their equipment and supply requests 
on the computer sheets and within two weeks we will begin the assemblage of the 
scientific support items for your upcoming research program — Solomon B, Each 
member of your scientific party will ultimately receive a summary listing of all 
the support gear we will provide aboard ship. This listing will describe each 
item and indicate the quantity to be supplied. It will identify as well the 
person(s) requesting it and the planned usage of instrumentation. 
Our institution will proceed immediately to obtain clearances from the BSIP 
and New Hebrides governments for the operation of the Alpha Helix in their 
waters. We will pass on to the U.S. State Department your plans to meet with 
their Public Health Department directors, and that Professor Jean Culart will 
participate in this research effort. 
Following your program the Alpha Helix will proceed directly to Ponape 
where scientific gear will be offloaded and people disembarked. As you know, 
Ronald Carr welcomes the collaboration of any of your scientific staff in the 
five-day program at Plngelap. The Alpha Helix will return from Pingelap to 
Ponape where its laboratories will be set up for sea snake studies to be carried 
out at Rennell Island. 
The ship will have a full scientific complement as it leaves Ponape, but we 
would like, if possible, to accomodate the transport of your people to Nukuroro 
and Kaplngamarangl on the way to Rennell. Inform me about who of your 
scientists would wish to be transported to these islands. 
I trust all is going will with your preparations and your work in New 
Guinea. 
Best wishes. 
Sincerely, 
Walter Carey , 
