a century). The existence of the Equatorial Undercurrent has been amply confirmed, during measurements completed a few days before Cromwell’s death, by his colleagues J. A. Knauss and J. E. King. One result of four years in close collaboration with W. S. Wooster is a joint publication, in color, of a systematic analysis of data from the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (Bull. Scripps Inst. Oceanogr., 1958). The subject that aroused Cromwell’s keenest interest is the structure and formation of oceanic discontinuities, both fronts and thermoclines (Tellus, 1956; Bull. inter-Amer. trop. Tuna Comm., in press). His work was characterized throughout by close collaboration with his associates, who became his devoted friends. His personal charm and modesty, together with his scientific interest, led a number of oceanographers to join his field of activity. These include E. D. Stroup, G. W. Groves, and R. B. Montgomery. Personal life Townsend Cromwell was born 3 November 1922 at Boston, Massachusetts, one of two sons of Richard and Lucile Cromwell. He married Katharine Huchthausen in 1947. Their children are Victoria, Katharine, Townsend, Carol Eugenia, and Elaine. Namesake The United States Fish and Wildlife Service Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries research vessel NOAAS Townsend Cromwell (R 443) was named in Townsend Cromwells honor. References 1958 deaths American oceanographers 1922 births Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in Mexico Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1958 University of California, Los Angeles alumni Scripps Institution of Oceanography faculty