Student Connection

Replies From The Ship

---

Q:

How did the Townsend Cromwell get its name?

By: David Kimball, NMFS, Grade na

A:

        Townsend Cromwell was a brilliant Oceanographer who greatly 
     advanced our understanding of the Equatorial Pacific in the early 
     1950's.  At the time, he worked for the Pacific Ocean Fishery 
     Investigation (POFI), now the Honolulu Laboratory of the National 
     Marine Fishery Service, South West Fishery Center.  While there, he 
     pioneered research of the Pacific Ocean near the Equator and confirmed 
     that upwelling occurs there.  He also disproved the existence of 
     upwelling at the north edge of the Equatorial Counter Current.  
     Realizing the significance of unexpected drifts of long lines at the 
     equator, he organized an expedition to measure the equatorial currents 
     with drogues, and discovered the equatorial undercurrent which bears 
     his name.
        Townsend was tragically killed in a plane crash in 1958 while 
     enroute to an oceanographic expedition.  At the time of his death, he 
     was senior scientist with the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 
     and Research Associate at Scripps Institute of Oceanography.  A keen 
     surfer and swimmer, his love of the ocean extended beyond his 
     professional interests.

Last modified May 18,  2000