Journals 2004/2005

Catherine Roberts
Western Branch Middle School, Chesapeake, VA

"Study of frontal zones in the vicinity of Cape Hatteras" R/V Cape Henelopen July 31 - August 14, 2004

Journal Index: July 28/31 August 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9           10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14

0800. We've anchored off Cape Charles. Teresa and Jim have spent the morning calibrating the OS 200. It is an instrument much like the larger CTD which measures temperature, conductivity (salinity) and density as it falls through the water column. The OS 200 does all of this at a much faster rate as it free falls through the water. The data can then be used to show mixing of cold and warm water currents in the water it passes through. The challenge is to weight it correctly so that it falls 1meter/10sec. After three trials, Teresa has the fall rate to 1 meter/9.3 sec.

1245. We weigh anchor to dock in Cape Charles to meet a technician from University of Delaware, the home port of the RV Cape Henlopen. He will help us to solve some programming issues in the on board computers.

Cape Charles is a small town at the South end of the Eastern Shore Peninsula. Historically it was a ferry dock for the car ferry crossing the Chesapeake Bay and an important rail depot for the Pennsylvania Rail Road. When the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel was built, a concrete was added in Cape Charles toe manufacture the parts. After the tunnel was completed much of the industry in the town dwindled leaving a small community of people and only a few businesses.

Weather Update: Tropical Storm "Alex" has been upgraded to a Class 1 hurricane.