NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 
WASHINGTON 25,D.C. 
November 13 , 1962 
Dr- Waldo L. Schmitt 
Research Associate 
Smithsonian Institution 
U . S . National Museum 
Washington 25, D.C. 
Dear Dr. Schmitt: 
This is to outline and clarify your participation as a consultant to 
the National Science Foundation in the coming voyage of the USS Edisto 
to the Palmer Peninsula for the purpose of obtaining information which 
will help in the selection of a future U.S. scientific station. 
It is the plan of this office to concentrate on the biological sciences 
at this station, the flora and fauna of the land and marine areas. Your 
task will be to provide the NSF with information on the potential bio- 
logical investigations the various areas to be visited will offer. One 
of the important aspects to bear in mind is that we will stress small boat 
mobility so that operations can take place over fairly large areas from a 
centrally located and permanent site. 
The NSF Representative aboard the ship will be Mr. John Crowell of this 
office, who has recently completed the work with MSTS in the preparation 
and preliminary operation of the USNS Eltanin * Mr. Crowell will look to 
you for guidance and advice in those matters pertaining to the biological 
fields. Also aboard the Edisto as a consultant for the NSF will be 
Captain E. A. McDonald, U8N (ret.) who has had considerable experience in 
handling ships in the pack ice and has visited these same areas many 
times in the past. 
I am most happy that your services could be male available to the NSF in 
this important exploration task and I wish you r a mosi"*successfui and 
pleasant voyage. 
Sincerely yours, 
