23 



This illustrates the great uncertainty of the current in this region of 

 the "Graveyard of the North Atlantic." Upon assuming the duties 

 of the ice patrol, the following estimate was made of the present ice 

 situation: Ttie southernmost ice consists of a large pinnacle berg, 

 163 feet high, which was last seen on the afternoon of April 16 in lat. 

 42° 40', long. .50° 44'. This berg had been tracked for several days 

 and was found to be drifting 2.50°, true, at tlie rate of 1 knot per hour, 

 which would indicate that the Labrador Current is of unusal strength. 

 Another berg, over 1,000 feet long and about 50 feet high, was in lat. 

 42° 48', long. .50° .5.5', on April 16. It had been observed for several 

 days and was in a counter eddy current, SW. of the Tail of the J3ank. 

 A large berg was grounded on the Tail of the Bank and there were 

 several bc^rgs to the northward, which will probably arrive around 

 the Tail of the Bank in a few days. To the northeastward there were 

 a few bergs drifting to the northeastward along the edge of the Gulf 

 Stream. iVfter a careful review of the ice situation, it was decided to 

 proceed to an advantageous point to commence search at daylight of 

 April 18 for the 163-foot pinnacle berg, so the Tampa steamed to the 

 ea^stward and the Modoc proceeded toward Halifax. The steamship 

 Armach reported having passed a berg on April 18 in lat. 44° 13', 

 long. 46° 16'. 



April 18: At 4.4.5 a. m. we had reached a point to commence 

 search for the pinnacle berg, but were compelled to stop and drift, on 

 account of dense fog, until 6.40 a. m., when the fog cleared and search 

 was commenced to the eastward. The weather was none too favor- 

 able, as the wind increased to a moderate gale from SSE. at nightfall 

 and then abated to a fresh SW. breeze at the end of the day. Kain 

 fell at intervals, and a thick fog shut in at 3.30 p. m., at which time 

 the search was discontinued for the day and the vessel permitted to 

 drift. Gave ice warning to the steamship Ariano. At 11.35 p. m 

 received the following broadcast from the steamship Orduna: "Bar- 

 quentine OlntJta abandoned and in sinking condition and set on fire 

 in latitude 44 X., longitude 47 W., may possibly be a danger to navi- 

 gation. Crew now on board steamship Orduna." Signed Warner, 

 steamship Orduna. 



April 19: Drifted in dense fog throughout the day. In the fore- 

 noon the fresh SW. breeze increased to a moderate SSW. gale. In 

 the afternoon the wind fell to a moderate S. breeze, but increased to a 

 moderate S. gale at the end of the day. Heavy southerly swell; 

 overcast, foggy, and rainy. Gave ice information to the steamship 

 West Segovia. 



April 20: The day began with a strong S. wind, which in the fore- 

 noon moderated and hauled to W. and then NW. In the afternoon 

 gentle to moderate W. to SW. winds prevailed. Overcast to mostly 

 cloudy, with fog first part. At 4.30 a. m., fog partially clearing, stood 



