The rate of damping of bubble oscillations provides us with a clue as to their precise origin and mode of generation. Data on rates of damping of acoustical pulses from various sources will be examined, particularly those from low sea states. At a given frequency, the observed rates vary by a factor of order 10; the minimum damping rate corresponds closely to thermal damping. Theoretical reasons for the higher damping rates will be discussed, including the transfer of some energy to shape oscillations.