Resources

RRS Discovery D51 Leg 1

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS Discovery (74E3)
Cruise identifierD51 Leg 1
Cruise period1972-11-04 — 1972-11-14
StatusCompleted
Port of departureSouthampton, United Kingdom
Port of returnGibraltar, Gibraltar
PurposeResearch
Objectives1) Lay 3 current meter moorings on N Biscay slope.

2) Lay shallow tide gauge on Josephine Bank

3) Obtain a magnometer profile from Biscay to Josephine Bank

4) Test new deep sea tide gauge acoustics

5) Test new pyro-releases

6) Develop new multi programming system on the computer

7) Make a combined TSD and camera profile in Gulf of Cadiz

8) Develop MK III echosounder

9) Test explosive devices
Chief scientistJames Crease (National Institute of Oceanography)
Cruise reportRRS Discovery D51 Leg 1 cruise report d51.pdf (1.09 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralEnglish Channel
North Atlantic Ocean
Strait of Gibraltar (Mediterranean Sea)
Track chartsRRS Discovery D51 Leg 1 cruise track — d51track.pdf (0.02 MB) 
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
Water bottle stationsQuantity: number of stations = 1
CTD stationsQuantity: number of stations = 26
Description: mainly in northwest mediterranean
Current metersQuantity: 7
Description: 3 days;moorings 130,131,132
Surface drifters/drifting buoysQuantity: 6
Description: drogues
Sea level (inc. bot. press., inverted echosounder)Description: only a short record due to circuit fault
Chemical oceanography 
Trace elementsQuantity: 12
Biology and fisheries 
ZooplanktonQuantity: 3
NeustonQuantity: 2
Meteorology 
Occasional standard measurementsQuantity: number of stations = 9
Description: geology and physical oceanography
Geology and geophysics 
DredgeQuantity: number of deployments = 11
Multi-beam echosoundingDescription: approx.1000miles of track surveyed + detailed survey of canyon near 47-45N;08-09W
Magnetic measurementsDescription: approx.1000miles of track surveyed + detailed survey of canyon near 47-45N;08-09W