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winters that the Maud spent in the pack, and a maximum wind speed 

 of 30 knots ; in general the lowest temperatures were accompanied by 

 the least wind. 



OPERATING BOATS AND SEAPLANES 



At reduced speed the standard Navy 40-foot motor launch and LCM 

 are able to move aside ice 7 to 8 feet in thickness. The engine should 

 be stopped when brash is encountered to eliminate the danger of 

 having the shaft bent or the propeller fouled. Caution should be 

 exercised that the stern of the boat does not drift on ice extending 

 from floes below the surface of the water. If this occurs, difficulty 

 in getting a boat off the ice may be expected. Boat hooks are the only 

 means of clearing the stern. 



For landings and take-offs seaplanes must have a seaway absokitely 

 free of all types of ice. Even brash of small size hit at the speed of 

 an aircraft will readily tear pontoon metal. In cases where seaplanes 

 have been used in polar regions, records show that much time was 

 spent searching for suitable areas for plane operations. Therefore, 

 jet assisted take-offs would prove helpful. The necessary water space 

 for operations may sometimes be found in long, narrow leads, bays 

 in the pack, or inshore clearings, all of which must be carefully swept 

 either by small craft or by aircraft taxiing over the proposed lane. 

 Landing areas must likewise be scanned for floating ice before attempt- 

 ing to land. Long open leads may be found behind large bergs. Dur- 

 ing late summer it is possible that young ice will form as a transparent 

 covering in smooth areas protected from the wind. This ice will 

 cause damage to any planes attempting to taxi through it. 



The use of boats and planes for scouting is discussed under other 

 headings. 



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