This first oceanographic expedition was conducted aboard the Challenger and lasted approximately three and one half years. The crew of researchers collected data on almost every aspect of the ocean, including data on temperature, salinity, sediments, animal life, currents, and water composition. The resulting records of the trip required 23 years to compile and edit into 50 volumes. This extraordinary undertaking employed 76 men.
這艘船在三年半的航程中，搜集了各式各樣的資料，從海水樣本、海底沉積物、海中動物到海面溫度、鹽度、海流路線等，所有的記載最後輯成五十大冊，動員了七十六人，花了二十三年才整理完成。