RESULTS OF THE HYDROGRAPHICAL OBSERVATIONS 



MADE BY DR. JOHAN HJORT IN THE CANADIAN 



ATLANTIC WATERS DURING THE 



YEAR iyi5. 



By Pail 1>.jki{KAX, Bergen, Norway. 



J 11 the following.' account of the hydrojiTaphical observations made by Dr. Johan 

 ITjort iu the Canadian Atlantic waters during the sprinji,- and summer of 1915, the 

 main features of the expedition and the implements used in the work at sea and in 

 the laboratory are first briefly dealt with, followed by an account on the hydrographical 

 observations illustrated by sections and maps showing the results of the expedition. 



I. THE EXPEDITION. 



Oil Dr. Hjort's arrival in Souris, Prince Edward Island, the headquarters chosen 

 for the expedition, on the first of May the harbour and adjacent waters were filled with 

 ice as far as the eye could see, and reports from outside showed tliat the pack ice lay 

 to the north of Prince Edward Island and round the Magdalen Islands. These condi- 

 tions prevailed during the week from the 2nd to the 8th of May. The ice was supposed 

 to have been forced southward against Prince Edward Island from the northern areas 

 of the gulf of St. Lawrence by the prevailing northwesterly winds. Northumberland 

 strait and the Pictou coast were also barred by ice, and the steamboat communication 

 between the latter place and Charlottetown, P.E.I. , was interrupted and at times quite 

 brought to a standstill. The C.G.S. Princess tried twice during the week to force 

 its way through the ice eastward to Souris in order to take Dr. Hjort for a preliminary 

 cruise north to the Magdalen islands and adjacent waters. At last she reached 

 Charlottetown. Dr. Hjort and Professor Willey, of McGill University, went on 

 board there, and on the 10th of May the Princess started for the cruise. It was decided 

 that the Princess should run west of Prince Edward Island and try to pierce the ice 

 up to Magdalen islands. In Northumberland strait, ice-packs were met with every- 

 where, but the air was pleasant and mild. The Pi^incess got out of the ice west of 

 Prince Edward Island and headed for Magdalen islands. Station 1 was taken to the 

 west of Bradelle bank, and heading east the Princess entered small areas of pack-ice. 

 When well out of the ice, station 2 was taken. Arrived at the west side of the Magdalen 

 islands, she steamed round the archipelago to Pleasant bay, where the ice had been 

 driven away by northwesterly winds. Herrings had been observed near the island, 

 hut the fishing gear had not yet been placed in position owing to the ice. 



On account of the severe illness of Commander Wakeham, the expedition was 

 discontinued on the 13th of May. 



• thp middle of May the ice conditions in the gulf of St. Lawrence changed 

 totally. About the 20th of May the Halifax papers stated that the gulf ice had beec 

 driven towards Cape Breton island by the northwesterly winds, and had barred the 

 Cut of Canso. About the 25th of j\ray the rest of the ice was gone, having been 

 melted or driven out through the (Uit of Canso. The prolonged ice-bound conditions 

 in the gulf of St. Lawrence this spring were, however, felt on land as well as at sea. 

 The seasonal developments on Prince Edward Island were, according to the statements 

 of the inhabitants, put back to the extent of about one and a half months, and at 

 sea the extraordinary conditions were shown by the retardation of the main fisheries, 

 especially the herring fishery. Thus the herring fishery round Magdalen islands iu 



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