WHOI Annual Reports

Below is a brief excerpt from page 8 of the first report of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1933

FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR FOR THE YEAR 1933
BY HENRY B. BIGELOW

The need of sonic sounding apparatus for "Atlantis" was mentioned in my last report. After investigating the merits of different types, the "Fathometer," manufactured by the Submarine Signal Company, was finally selected, and installed on "Atlantis" last November. The cost, $6,948, was paid from current income. This machine has given satisfaction for soundings as deep as 3000 fathoms.

During the autumn, radio transmitting and receiving equipment, received as a loan from the United States Coast Guard, was installed. This equipment, which permits transmission and reception on the intermediate commercial frequencies, has already proven its value in making it possible to obtain radio bearings from shore stations, as well as in maintaining communication between ship and shore. The Institution is greatly indebted to the Coast Guard for the loan of this equipment.

A carbon-dioxide fire-extinguishing system, not mentioned in the report for 1932, was installed in June of that year. The cost ($1,080) was paid from the balance of our original construction fund.

Minor improvements on "Atlantis" are: Installation of sinks with running fresh water in upper and lower laboratories and of electric pumps and other fittings for running salt water, for the upper laboratory; additional laboratory furniture; alteration of alcove off mess room to serve as radio-room; new refrigerating coils; new burner for steam heating system; a trawling boom fitted to the mizzenmast; and another dory purchased. An improved type of closing net for horizontal plankton hauls at great depths, and usable in series, was also developed, as a result of experiments carried out at sea during the summer. No important alterations have been made to "Asterias"; a new skiff was purchased, as her tender.

In the laboratory a low concrete wall was laid, in the aquarium room to retain the overflow from the large concrete tanks. This is covered by a wooden platform, making access easier to the tanks. An improved device has been installed for holding the water level at the desired height. And three large wooden tanks have been added.

The end of one of the dark rooms has been converted into a kitchenette, with sink and shelves, convenient to the reading room, for use at staff meetings, and for the convenience of workers spending the winter at the laboratory. A large chart of the North Atlantic, on which to plot the cruises of "Atlantis" has been prepared, for installation on one wall of the chart room.

In June the motor truck was sold for a net price of $200.

We have received the following instruments from Norway, from the Wilkins-Ellsworth Trans-Arctic Submarine Expedition, which, having been purchased by grant made to the latter in September, 1930, are now our property:- 10 "Nansen" reversing water bottles; 1 "Meteor" bottom sampler; 1 dynamometer; 13 reversing deep sea thermometers. It is agreed that they are to be returned to Captain Wilkins should he be able to organize a second Arctic Submarine Expedition in the reasonably near future. Such of the "Nansen" water bottles and reversing thermometers as still remained in Norway have been loaned to Dr. H. U. Sverdrup for the Norwegian CircumAntarctic Expedition. And the "Meinesz" machine for the measurement of gravity, used on the "Nautilus," has been donated to the Geophysical Institute of Bergen, there being no arrangement under which this apparatus (for which we have no direct need) could be imported into the United States, duty free.

The following equipment has been loaned to us:- a dredge from the Marine Biological Laboratory; tide gauge, from the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey; three unprotected deep sea thermometers, from the Smithsonian Institution, through the kindness of Dr. Paul Bartsch; a miscellaneous lot of dredge and trawl frames, anchors, and other gear, from the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries; and a deep sea pressure gauge from Dr. William Beebe. We are also indebted to the U. S. Hydrographic Office, and to the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, for charts. We have received as gifts, a bust and photograph of the famous oceanographer Maury from Mr. Charles R. Crane; a copy of Maury's "Physical Geography of the Sea" from Mr. Francis N. Balch; and, from Professor Norris W. Rakestraw, the chair used by the Prince of Monaco on his research ship "Hirondelle".