The Egyptian exploration of the Red Sea
The success achieved by the John Murray Expedition to the Indian Ocean, 1933-4, in the Egyptian research ship Mabahiss aroused the interest of Egypt in oceanographic exploration. When the Mabahiss returned to Alexandria in May 1934, the University at Cairo had under consideration a plan for sending out an expedition to explore the whole area of the Red Sea in 1935-6. Meanwhile, it was thought advisable to send a preliminary expedition, the experience of which might be a useful guide for the 1935-6 expedition, to its nothern regions. This preliminary expedition, which lasted from 18 December 1934 to 20 February 1935, marks the first attempt by modern Egypt to undertake systematic oceanographic research. A note on the topographical and biological results of this expedition has already appeared (Crossland 1936). The object of the present communication is to report some of its hydrographic and chemical results which are believed to have increased our knowledge of the oceanography of the Red Sea.