REPORTS OF COMMANDING OFFICERS. 



CRUISE OF COAST GUARD CUTTER "SENECA," COMMANDER A. L. 

 GAMBLE, MARCH 8 TO 19, 1923. 



The Seneca sailed from New York at 2 p. m., March 8, for the Grand 

 Banks of Newfoundland, to inaugurate the ice patrol for the season 

 of 1923. Moderate to fresh NW. to N. breezes and smooth sea pre- 

 vailed on the 8th and 9th. The barometer was high and steady until 

 the afternoon of the 10th, when it fell rapidly. On the morning of 

 the 11th the wind had increased to a SW. gale, veering before noon 

 to NW.. with heavy westerly swells. 



During the forenoon of the 11th an ice report was received from 

 Cape Race, giving the position of the southernmost berg as lat. 42°^ 

 49' N., long. 49° 46' W. This information was embodied in our first 

 broadcast, the evening of the 11th, and in report to the Hydrographic 

 Office of same date. We later learned that this berg was reported to 

 Cape Race on February 28. It has probably gone to the eastward, 

 as no subsequent reports have been received from the vicinity in 

 which it was first located. 



Strong winds with heavy swell from the NW. prevailed on the 12th, 

 with the barometer slowly rising; the temperature of the surface water 

 dropped from 50° F. to 36° F. and dovekies were sighted for the first 

 time. The steamer WeyingJiam reported a berg in lat. 43° 20' N., 

 long. 46° 50' W. Upon request of the steamer Ossa, she was given 

 routing through the ice regions. 



The barometer started falling on the 13th. The wind backed from 

 NW. to SE. and at noon hauled to W.,with dense fog. The steamer 

 Lord Duferin reported a berg in lat. 45° 53' N., long. 46° 07' W., and 

 one in lat. 45° 35' N., long. 46° 44' W. Upon her request, special ice 

 report was furnished the steamer Asian. The steamer West Helix 

 reported engine trouble in lat. 41° 51' N., long. 51° 26' W., bound 

 west, and requested the positions of westbound vessels. She was 

 given the position of the Braddyde as that nearest to her, but was 

 picked up by the steamer West Elcasco. Her plight and position 

 were included in our broadcasts on the 13 th and 14th. The Seneca 

 arrived off the Tail of the Bank, lat. 42° 49' N., long. 49° 46' W., at 

 5 p. m. on the 13th. 



The 14th continued foggy, with vessel drifting to moderate SW. 

 wind and heavy swell; barometer low and falling slowly, but started 



(6) 



