Oral history of British science

Laughton, Anthony (Part 6 of 12). An Oral History of British Science.

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  • Type

    sound

  • Duration

    00:28:20

  • Shelf mark

    C1379/29

  • Subjects

    Oceanography

  • Recording date

    2010-10-21

  • Recording locations

    Interviewee's home, Surrey

  • Interviewees

    Laughton, Anthony, 1927- (speaker, male)

  • Interviewers

    Merchant, Paul (speaker, male)

  • Abstract

    Part 6: Mentions divorce, 1971. Story of 1961 Canadian lecture tour, including visit to SIO, with wife and one year-old son. Story of history of SIO; development of international oceanography through SCOR by Roger Revelle [RR] (SIO), Columbus Iselin (WHOI) and GD (NIO). Mentions friendships developed at SIO, including RR, Helen Revelle, Bob Fisher [BF], RRT and HRT. Comments on RRT and HRT. [7:29] Comments on RR’s view of oceanography before introduction of physics/mathematics; RR’s later interest in world population growth. [9:47] Comments on relations/distinctions between marine geophysics and oceanography. [11:22] Story of origin of International Indian Ocean Expedition [IIOE], including role of SCOR, German IIOE plan involving co-ordinated collection of physical oceanographic data on agreed grid/transects. Mentions Atlantic transects of International Geophysical Year [IGY], 1957-1958. Comments on reasons for focus on north-west Indian Ocean [IO] in proposals for British involvement in IIOE presented to Royal Society ‘British National Committees’; ‘three elements’ of British contribution: physical oceanography, marine biology, marine geology/geophysics. [15:35] Detailed comments on own writing of geology/geophysics proposal focussed on Carlsberg Ridge [CR]/Gulf of Aden [GOA], influenced by contemporary questions of sea-floor spreading [SFS]. Comments on own published work on origin of GOA. [21:22] Comments on British IIOE marine biology and physical oceanography cruises. Story of 1964 IIOE geophysical cruise in new research ship Discovery [D] [cat meowing], including first use of PES, significance of previous survey of CR by DM on HMS Owen, work undertaken, findings. Comments on second GOA cruise, 1967. [27:56] Comments on own lack of involvement in IGY; NIO’s involvement in IGY.

  • Description

    Interview with Oceanographer Sir Anthony Laughton.

  • Related transcripts

    Sir Anthony Laughton interviewed by Paul Merchant: full transcript of the interview

  • Related links

    Visit this interviewee's page on the 'Voices of Science' web resource

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