28 



would take her into a position knowTi to contain bergs, and the fol- 

 lowing message was dispatched at 10.55 a. m.: ''There are several 

 bergs south of the 43d parallel and west of the 50th meridian whose 

 exact positions are unknown because of the presence of fog over the 

 region. Your present course is carrying you into danger and you 

 should lay course south of 42d parallel until you are west of 52d 

 meridian." The Gemma's master thanked the patrol and immediate!}^ 

 changed course as advised. 



Steamship Geboga: On April 26 the steamship Geboqa called the 

 patrol and asked: ''What is temperature of water surrounding 

 icebergs?" We replied that all the bergs are surrounded by water 

 less than 57° F.; that this water has southern limit of 41° 40' N., 

 eastern limit 47° 30' W., and western limit 52° W.; that local varia- 

 tions in water temperature are no indications of proximity of ice, 

 and referred her to H. O. Pilot Chart for March on Icebergs. 



Steamship Homer City: The steamship Homer City furnishes an 

 example of the important service which is being rendered to trans- 

 Atlantic steamers by the ice patrol. The following message was 

 received about midnight, April 26: "S. S. Homer City 45° 25' N., 

 46° 10' W. Stopped for three days in dense fog. Bound New York. 

 Water 41°. Have you information of bergs near me ? " The following 

 reply was sent : " If you will steam to 44° N., 46° W., you will get clear 

 weather. Then steer to 41° 30' N., 47° W., when jon can change 

 course for New York. By doing this you will avoid fog and bergs 

 and no need further delay. Send us your address and we will write 

 you instructions how to avoid this next time." In reply the master 

 .gave his address, saying he was following our instructions and thank- 

 ing us. We later sighted the Homer City, now inside the warm water, 

 in clear weather, proceeding on her course. 



IXALGURATION OF ST. LAWRENCE TRAFFIC. 



The passage through Cabot Strait to St. Lawrence ports is usually 

 attempted during the latter part of April each year. Due to the 

 suspension of navigation during the winter months, on account of 

 impenetrable ice fields, the resumption of the St. Lawrence navi- 

 gation is eagerly sought early in the spring. Previous experience 

 has shown that the St. Lawrence ice begins to break up from the 

 middle of April to the first part of May. Many steamers sail from 

 European ports, arriving on the edge of the pack at the entrance to 

 Cabot Strait and forcing their way in as tlie ice weakens. This year 

 was no exception. 



Tlie steamship Cairnvalona was the first sliip to arrive bound to 

 Montreal. On April 20 she was in lat. 48° 13' N.. long. 45° 52' W.. 

 and reported many bergs and field ice. A message was immediately 

 sent, warning her of the presence of the bergs and fields of ice farther 



