The Primary source of data used to produce these files were from vessels of the following cooperatives: Cuba, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany (Federal Republic of Germany), Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, United Kingdom, U.S.S.R., Yugoslavia, Canada and the United States. Other countries were added later. The purpose of these cooperative ships were to take Meteorological Observations. Each station (ship) established was specially equipped and staffed for carrying out Surface and Upper-Air Meteorological observations and for providing other services such as making Oceangraphic and other scientific observations and rendering safety services to other ships and aircraft. The meteorological surface parameters are temperature, clouds, humidity, precipitation, pressure, storms, visibility, and winds. Oceangraphic observations in the main consist of bathythermograph observations and sonic depth soundings.