PRELIMINARY REPORT
Eastern Area Cruise #18
3 Aug to 25 Sept 1967
ITINERARY
3 August 1967 - Depart San Diego
21 August " - Reach 10°S, 119°W
23 August " - Reach 10°S, 112°W
26-27 August - Depart cruise track for rendezvous with
R/V UNDAUNTED
29 August to - Special current study along 112°W at equator
2 September
11 September - Arrive Manzanillo, Mexico
13 September - Depart Manzanillo, Mexico
19-23 September - Special study at south end of Guadalupe Island
25 September - Arrive San Diego
This report summarizes observations made by T. James Lewis on
EASTROPAC cruise August 3 to September 25 aboard the Scripps
Institution of Oceanography Research Vessel THOMAS WASHINGTON. The
ship departed San Diego August 3 (see FIGURE 1), proceeded to 20°N,
119°W, then south to 10°S, then east to 112°W, then north to the
equator, with a short diversion eastward near 3°S to rendezvous with
the other EASTROPAC vessel, R/V UNDAUNTED. After a 5-day current
study near the equator, the ship proceeded north again along 112°W
to 12°N, and then northeastward to Manzanillo, Mexico. After two
days in Manzanillo, the cruise continued westward and northwestward
to Guadalupe Island for a 5-day study, and then directly to San
Diego, arriving early in the morning of September 25. Observations
of birds, mammals, and turtles, made on 45 days of the trip, are
presented in TABLES 1-12 and FIGURES 1-9 at the end of this report.
A total of 8,681 birds of 45 species were observed between sunrise
and sunset. An additional 205 birds of 9 species were seen at
night. Juan Fernandez Petrels, Sooty Terns and Wedge-tailed Shear-
waters were the dominant birds in two rather small areas between 5°N
and 7°N (FIGURE 3). Diurnal observations were conducted for 298.6
hours during which the ship traveled 3,040 miles. Nocturnal observa-
tions were conducted for 34.5 hours while the ship was underway.
Excellent cooperation was received from the captain and crew
as well as from many of the scientific party. Use of the skiff on
several occasions would not have been possible without their help.