34 



ceived from the steamship Empress of Scotland: "5 a. m., off Cape 

 Ray at edge of ice field. Excepting for loose fringe of heavy pack 

 ice, no break visible from masthead. Positions of vessels located in 

 ice field yesterday remained unchanged. Ships which entered the 

 field p. m. yesterday only penetrated beyond the fringe and remain 

 there. Regarding best route to approach this position, would advice 

 passing Miquelon 6 miles, Rose Blanche and Port Basque at 2 miles. 

 Area of several miles open water off these points between 58 40 W. and 

 59 10 W. Have cruised around this area and find the field solid to 

 the southward. Gilhes, Commander." The steamship Cassandra, 

 on May 10, reported as follows: ''Entered open ice St. PieiTe bearing 

 318°, 18 miles. Now passing through heavy open ice, Platte Point, 

 Miquelon, 68°, 14 miles." 



May 11 : Gentle to light northerly winds. When the vessel left her 

 anchorage, at 5.20 a. m., the weather was clear, but within a half 

 hour we ran into a path of dense fog, and later into clear, pleasant 

 weather, for a short spell, which was followed by almost constant 

 liglit fog, with poor visilMlity, until in the late afternoon, when, the 

 \dnd having backed to WNW., the fog settled very low. During 

 the day we scouted along the east side of the Grand Banks, between 

 lats. 44° 00', and 4.'^° 09', and at 9 p. m. anchored in lat. 43° 09', 

 long. 49° 50' . A large berg of most irregular shape, consisting of three 

 ice masses resting on one common base, and connected above water by 

 what appeared to be comparatively soft snow ice, through which the sea 

 had carred several picturesque arches, was passed at 7.15 p. m., in 

 lat. 43° 10', long. 49° 34'. Two medium-sized growlei-s were seen 

 to the southward of this berg, and the usual bird life was observed; 

 also a few "hell-tlivers," a species of grebe, and several hair seal. 



Special ice information was given the steamship BotJureU. It was 

 noticed from water temperature reports received from the steamships 

 CeJtic and Ordumi tliat their resi)ective courses would carry them 

 very close to the line of drift of a berg reported by the AIM on the 

 9th instant in lat. 40° 42', long., 48° 55'. As they had clear weather, 

 with excellent visil)ility, they were requested to keep a sharp lookout 

 for bergs. The following dis]mtch was received from the Ckltic: 

 ''No sigii of berg reported 40° 42', 48° 55', on 9th." 



May 12: The day began with a gentle SE. wind and falling barom- 

 eter, "the wind hauling through W. to N. and reaching fresh gale 

 force by night. A heavy cold rain and moderate to rough sea i)re- 

 vaili'd during most of the day. At 5.10 a. m. weighed anchor and 

 searched an ai-ea off the southeastern edge of the Grand Banks, the 

 visil)ilily ranging from good to poor. The berg sighted the pre- 

 vious evening was visited in the early morning, when it was found 

 that it had not noticeably changed its location. At 10.25 ]). m. 

 anchored on the Banks, in'lat. 43° 15', long. 50° 39'. 



