Discovery II

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22429, 16 June 1938, Page 5 (Supplement)

Discovery II

This is the Royal Research ship Discovery II at work in the Antarctic. The work of exploring the seas is very important, for in spite of the fact that nearly three-quar-ters of the surface of the earth -is. covered with water," we know far' less about the sea and the .creatures that live in it than we do about the land. The seas not only supply mankind with fish for food, but also with valuable products from such animals as seals and whales. During, the present; century the

slaughter of whales has increased so msich that there is a real danger that Jthese creatures Will become extinct. The Royal Research ship Discovery II was built specially for the use of scientists who study’ the; habits, of Whales arid all : the conditions; of the sea .that affect r these- great animals. Her time - -is spent chiefly in working , far from land and near the Antarctic ice, where the whales are found in the greatest numbers. The Work is designed to give the knowledge

needed in making regulations ,fo*( whaling which will help that industry. The temperature of the water and the set of the currents are studied, arid so are the habits and movements of the small marina creatures upon which the whales feed, the depths of the oceans, and the outline of little known coasts. A great deal of this information is eventually marked upon the Admiralty charts for the use of shipping.