12 



March 19, grounded on the Tail of the Bank. Gave special ice 

 information to steamship Missourian. 



The Modoc reUeved the Tampa on ice patrol duty at 12.30 a. m., 

 April 3, in lat. 42° 50', long. 51° 50'. The oceanographic observer 

 was transferred from the Tampa to the Modoc, and the Tampa then 

 left for Halifax. 



SUMMARY. 



This cruise has been characterized by remarkably rough weather, 

 the wind being of gale force and higher on 11 of the 15 days of the 

 patrol, this being decidedly higher than the observed average per- 

 centage for this season given by the Pilot Charts. The percentage 

 of fogs has been far below the average. The Labrador Current has 

 shown an extraordinary set to the SE., from the region between 

 Flemish Cap and the east slope of the Grand Banks, tliis being 

 conclusively shown by water temperatures taken. The simultaneous 

 drifting of bergs as far east as the Fastnet steamer tracks confirmed 

 the existence of this current. These bergs were between lats. 44° 

 20' and 46° 00'. It was planned to occupy oceanographic stations 

 of the eastern radial line, but the weather permitted the occupation 

 of but one station, No. 247. Far more time than usual was spent 

 east of the Grand Banks near the Fastnet steamer tracks, because of 

 the menace to these tracks. The breaking up and disintegration of 

 bergs buffeted by the heavy to mountainous seas experienced on 

 this cruise was remarkably rapid. In some instances the changes 

 observed in bergs in one, two, or three days would rival the changes 

 shown in as many weeks under other conditions. 



Only three bergs came around the Tail of the Bank during this 

 cruise, and these were but little below lat. 43°. Field ice was re- 

 ported a trifle lower than usual, in lat. 42° 20'. The transatlantic 

 steamship lanes were ordered shifted during this cruise, the eastbound 

 to take effect on March 30 and the westbound to take effect on 

 April 6. 



Ice reports were broadcast twice daily, and a daily report was sent 

 to Hydrographic Office, New York, and to Halifax. Daily weather 

 reports were sent to the Weather Bureau at Washington. 



An aggregate of 912 water temperature reports was received during 

 this cruise. 



Ice information was received from 10 vessels and special ice 

 information was furnished to 25 vessels. 



