UK Research Vessel Logbook Catalogue with 2,475 Entries from 1904-1970

2,475 scientist log books from 2,367 surveys by UK research vessels, dating back to 1904, were retrieved and archived by CEFAS. The catalogue provides a continuous record of vessel activity, except for periods during the World Wars. All data are now catalogued and stored in secure modern archiving facilities under the custodianship of the CEFAS Library.

Use Cases

• Analyze long-term trends in marine research activities based on the catalogue of 2,367 surveys.
• Study historical scientific methodologies based on the descriptions of data types held in the log books.
• Trace the operational history of specific UK research vessels based on the recorded survey information.

Strengths

• Covers a long historical period, with the earliest records from 1904.
• Documents a substantial number of surveys (2,367) and log books (2,475).
• Data is stored in secure modern archiving facilities, suggesting preservation quality.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science) Lowestoft, formerly the Directorate of Fisheries Research.

Collection Method

Retrieved and archived from uncatalogued research vessel data holdings.

Time Range

1904 to 1970, with gaps during World Wars I and II.

Freshness

Last updated is unknown.

Geography

Likely focuses on UK waters and research vessel operations.