When in charge of a sheet, one used to be dependent on member States to forward their soundings. I cannot remember a constant flow of information but I do remember visits to reception areas of the Russian Embassy, when the military attaché approached me with "I have some charts for you!" In those days, USSR ships' plotting sheets were sent via intelligence channels. And then I also clearly remember the XIIth International Hydrographic Conference in 1982, when the 5th edition of this book was presented.

Progress of GEBCO Project
Back to the present book. Step by step we witness the progress of the GEBCO project; the effort, the perseverance and again the faith needed to produce the different editions. We read about the various international organisations and numerous working groups involved. I am well aware that they all have to be mentioned, because through these many meetings with their agreements and disagreements GEBCO succeeded in reaching the 21st century.
A series of beautifully reproduced charts show the progress and, above all, the changes over the years. Though throughout the book mention is made of the difficulties in comparing plotted depths and their positions over the course of time because of their (in)accuracy and interpretation, I miss an 'on board' chapter, a few pages to describe and illustrate the way in which depths were measured in the beginning and the time it took for each sounding to be completed. And, later on, the way in which results from the echo sounder were plotted.

Deep-sea Sounding
Fortunately, Steve Ritchie describes deep-sea sounding in the 19th century, which required absolute concentration as the lead continued to descend for an hour or so! It also called for patience, the ability to accept temporary failure and complete dedication to finding the correct depth at every cast.
Towards the 1970s, geophysicists came into contact with the work of chartmakers, which began the discussion on the interpretation of PDR profiles. An illustration of these could have illuminated this little chapter. An example of what I mean may be found in an article by J.G. Ferwerda (Neth. Hydr. Office) in Het Kartografisch Tijdschrift, year XXIX nr. 1 2003: 'Het karteren van de wereld-zee‘n mede door het GEBCO-programma'.
Nevertheless, GEBCO 1903-2003, though sometimes confusing in the number of conferences and working parties described, is worthwhile reading; GEBCO itself standing out as a monument for long-lasting successful co-operation and, above all, perseverance, including on the part of many volunteers.








By Desmond Scott, March 2003, 140 pages, ISBN: 90-806205-4-8, published by GITC bv, The Netherlands