Resources

RRS Frederick Russell FR3/85

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS Frederick Russell (74GG)
Cruise identifierFR3/85
Cruise period1985-03-14 — 1985-03-28
StatusCompleted
Port of departureFalmouth, United Kingdom
Port of returnFalmouth, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesTo examine the transitional sequence of bedforms occurring along a traverse from the South Western Approaches into the Western English Channel. Bedform distribution maps of the area show a central zone of sand patches with adjacent zones of rippled sand sheet to the West and large sand waves to the East. The upper and lower threshold conditions for the formation of these sand patches was examined by measuring the flow conditions close to the seabed using both recording and ultrasonic current meters and Bristol University's Velocity Gradient Units. Use was also made of sidescan sonar, sediment sampling, seabed photography and TV survey.
Chief scientistDouglas Hamilton (University of Bristol Geology Department)
Cruise reportRRS Frederick Russell FR3/85 cruise report frederick_russell3_85.pdf (0.19 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralCeltic Sea
SpecificW. English Channel
Track chartsRRS Frederick Russell FR3/85 cruise track — trk3056.html RRS Frederick Russell FR3/85 cruise track — trk3056a.html
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
Current metersQuantity: number of deployments = 12
Description: 12 c.m.recovered;200 hours
Other physical oceanographic measurementsQuantity: number of deployments = 2
Description: vertical gradient units
Geology and geophysics 
GrabQuantity: number of samples = 46
Description: physical analysis of sediments
Bottom photographyQuantity: number of deployments = 15
Long/short range side scan sonarQuantity: track kilometres = 180
Description: dual scan