Ocean Science and the British Cold War State

287 Pages·2018·2.913 MB·English

by  Samuel A. Robinson

P
A
L
G
R
A
V
E

S
T
U
D
I
E
S

I
N

T
H
E

H
I
S
T
O SAMUEL A. ROBINSON
R
Y

O
F

S OCEAN SCIENCE
C
I
E
N
C
E AND THE

A
N
D

T
E BRITISH COLD
C
H
N
O
LO WAR STATE
G
Y
Palgrave Studies in the History of Science
and Technology
Series Editors
James Rodger Fleming
Colby College
Waterville, ME, USA
Roger D. Launius
Auburn, AL, USA
Designed to bridge the gap between the history of science and the history
of technology, this series publishes the best new work by promising and
accomplished authors in both areas. In particular, it offers historical per-
spectives on issues of current and ongoing concern, provides international
and global perspectives on scientific issues, and encourages productive
communication between historians and practicing scientists.
More information about this series at
http://www.palgrave.com/gp/series/14581
Samuel A. Robinson
Ocean Science and the
British Cold War State
Samuel A. Robinson
Department of Sociology
University of York
York, UK
Palgrave Studies in the History of Science and Technology
ISBN 978-3-319-73095-0 ISBN 978-3-319-73096-7 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73096-7
Library of Congress Control Number: 2018936617
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2018
This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the
Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of
translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on
microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval,
electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now
known or hereafter developed.
The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this
publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are
exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information
in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the
publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to
the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The
publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and
institutional affiliations.
Cover illustration: © @ csp archive / Alamy Stock
Printed on acid-free paper
This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by the registered company Springer
International Publishing AG part of Springer Nature.
The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
For Charmaine
A
cknowledgements
Research for this book was made possible by the project “The Earth Under
Surveillance” funded by the European Research Council with grant no.
241009. It started life as a PhD dissertation at the Centre for the History
of Science, Technology, and Medicine, University of Manchester, under
the supervision of Simone Turchetti and Jeff Hughes. It was revised into
its current form while I was a postdoctoral researcher on the AHRC-
funded project, “Unsettling Scientific Stories” in SATSU, Department of
Sociology, University of York, where PI Amanda Rees provided endless
support, and my fellow postdocs Matthew Paskins and Amy Chambers
kindly offered comments and criticism on chapter drafts, significantly
improving the readability of this manuscript. Any remaining errors natu-
rally remain entirely mine.
I am grateful to the librarians and archivists of the National
Oceanography Centre Library, Southampton; the National Archives,
Kew; John Rylands Library, University of Manchester; Churchill College
Archive Centre, University of Cambridge; the British Library; and the
Caird Library, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, whose expertise
and enthusiasm for their collections made the process of researching
this work a pleasure.
To Amy, Rupert, Rosalind, and Rufus, you have got me through the
months and now years when I thought this project would never end. I am
grateful and look forward to our next book adventure.
Finally, this whole process would never have been possible without
the love and support of my mother, Charmaine. Ever since I demanded
vii
viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
history books for my seventh birthday, history and my ever-expanding
library have consumed your house and probably your life. Thank you for
almost never complaining. You have taught me how to be, and for that
I will forever be in your debt. This book is dedicated to you.
c
ontents
1 Ocean Science and the British Cold War State 1
2 Oceanographers at War 35
3 De-mobbing Military Oceanography: Post-War Needs
of British Science 75
4 Collaboration on Defence, Intelligence,
and Internationalism During the 1950s 113
5 Oceanographers, Surveillance, and Defence Research 153
6 Militant Oceanographers: Behind Britain’s “Technocratic”
Moment, 1958–64 187
7 N ew Frontiers of Oceanology and “Environmentalism” 225
8 E pilogue: The Retirement of George Deacon 257
9 C onclusion: Situating Britain and the Sea in the Cold War 261
ix
x CONTENTS
Note on Archival Resources 271
Index 273