ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TO describe the riches of the oceans requires Neptune’s knowledge
of his kingdom. Lesser mortals, such as myself, have to rely on
material taken from a pot—pourri of popular, scientic and technical
writings. The only real claim that I can make to oiiginality is in the
selection, organization and interpretation of this material. A further
weakness of this lesser mortal is a lack of mastery in all the scientic
disciplines which seem to have made the oceans their meeting place.
Throughout the preparation of this book, I have been obliged to call
upon friends and experts, among them Peter Bush, Bill Gunston,
joe Lucas, Dr I. H. Newson, Professor R. S. Silver and M. ]. S.
Smith, for help and advice. However, chief among my helpers, and a
source of continual encouragement, has been John Ballinger. During
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the later stages of the work, I derived considerable benets from his
advice and sometimes lengthy comments. I am truly grateful for his
unselsh assistance. At the same time, in fairness to all my helpers, I
must make it clear that any mistakes which may remain are mine and
mine alone. I should also like to thank whole—heartedly Amy
Scoeld and Kathleen Fletcher for their help in preparing the
manuscript, and Christopher Sinclair—Stevenson of Hamish
Hamilton for his advice on the book. All credit for the artwork in
the book goes to Michael Bates whose skill in design was exceeded
only by the speed with which he prepared the diagrams. Finally, I
must give very special praise to my wife, Marian, who has had to bear
the brunt of sacrices made in the great cause of ‘The Book’.