38 



master requested to kno^v the charges and was surprised to learn 

 that the service was free. 



ST. LAWRENCE RIVER, SYDNEY, AND LOUISBURG. 



The St. LawTence and Louisburg traffic was one of the features of 

 the cruise. The patrol, having in mind its international aspect, 

 believed it could render valuable service to the steamers making the 

 St. LaAvi'once this spring; therefore special efforts have been made 

 to give these ships the very latest information. Accordingly a 

 special "sheet'' has been made up from reports received from ships 

 as they worked their way through the entrance and into the Gulf. 

 That our efforts have not gone unappreciated is evidenced by the 

 response from the ships. Many well into the Gulf and out of com- 

 munication have taken pains to relay information tlii'ough shore 

 stations to the patrol. Also St. La\\Tence ships recently bound out 

 have submitted detailed reports of ice conditions in Cabot Strait 

 and to the westward. The patrol finds this useful in keeping up 

 to date its special ''sheet" for inbound traffic. Skirting the fields 

 and working through open waters may mean the saving of several 

 days' time, not to mention the dangers that attend navigation through 

 heavy ice floes. 



Our daily Atlantic ice broadcast has canied the following: ''St. 

 Lawrence, wSydney, and Louisburg ships apply patrol special informa- 

 tion." Upon request, we furnish them a report. As an illustra- 

 tion, the report of May 12 is quoted as follows: "A few scattered 

 bergs on northern part of Grand Banks. At least 40 bergs between 

 Flemish Cap and Banks. St. Lawrence field is growing smaller 

 to-day. It extends Breton to 46 N.. 57 W., thence to north and west- 

 ward. Advise keeping on the Newfoundland side Cabot Strait. 

 Steamers will find open water by laying course 10 miles oft" Miquelon, 

 then hold up for Cape Ray, thence to 48-30. 62-00; Cape Ray to 

 Bird Rock heavy packed ice. Keep north of line connecting Bird 

 Rock and Cape Rosier and you will have open water." 



The following- ships have acknowledged our work, with thanks; 

 Petnisiylvanin, Domini. Thyra, Manchester Shijyper, Valacia, Bally- 

 gallij Head, Bothwcll, Recco, Andania, Megantic, Empress of Scotland, 

 Carrigan Head, Sinasta, Aledo, RyufuJcu Maru, Melita, Marburn, 

 Afontclaire and Teespool. Similar service has been supplied the 

 following Sydney and Louisburg steamers, with special reference 

 to approaching the coast and condition of ice in the harbors: Strassa, 

 Catinat, Alfred Nobel, Thvrban. Ste. JeJianne, Waimate, and BlacTc- 

 Tienth. 



The large percentage of fog and rain that has prevailed during this 

 patrol cruise has handicapped our efforts to locate bergs. It may 

 be slaf(Ml witli confidence, however, that there is no ice south of 



