41 



wliich was occupied at 10.30 p. m. Dolphin were observed in the 

 (lulf Stream and fuhnars and stormy petrel were seen. 



May 20: Fog at intervals, becoming dense at times and clearing 

 at (5 p. m. Vessel standing back to bergs left the evening before, the 

 larger one being sighted at 3.40 a. m. We stood near to it and 

 diifted, occasionally steaming back to it through the fog. This 

 berg was molting and calving from the action of the warm water. 

 Occasion was taken to try the effect of guncotton mines in destroying 

 the berg, and, from the difficulty experienced in placing the mine 

 and the negligible results obtained, it was concluded that only in 

 unusual cases of disintegrating bergs threatening the steamship 

 lanes was an attempt to destroy them by the use of mines justified. 

 Noon observation showed this larger berg to be in lat. 41° 28', long. 

 49^ 50', it having drifted 90°, true, at the rate of 1.8 miles per hour, 

 since noon of the 19th. At 7.20 p. m. stood to small berg, 4 miles 

 distant from larger berg, and lay to for the night. Sent out two 

 special broadcasts regarding these southernmost bergs. Special ice 

 information was given the steamships lanoko, Burgerdylc, and Glox- 

 aivia,. 



I, May 21: Light E. airs and breezes; mostly clear, fine weather; 

 fog on horizon toward Labrador Current. Vessel drifting, standing 

 by bergs for the night. At 4.45 a. m. stood back to small berg, 

 distant 7 miles; large berg bearing from, this 65°, true, some 5 miles 

 distant. Ascertiiined that bergs had drifted 123°, true, at rate of 2 

 knots per hour since yesterda3^ At 9.45 a. m. under way to make 

 rectangular search between meridians 49 and 50 and south of lat. 

 41° 40', planning to return to bergs for the night. At 10.15 p. m. 

 lay to near position of bergs. Because of proximity of bergs to, 

 westbound track, sent out special ice warnmgs to following vessels 

 approaciimg from the eastward: Beliance, Taxandria, West Celina, 

 Monta7nlan, and FanaJiead. • 



May 22: Light airs to light and gentle breezes, easterly. Mostly 

 clear, with light passing fog banks in afternoon. At daybreak larger 

 of two bergs visible, 8 miles distant. Stood to it and lay to. The 

 second berg was approximately 2 miles distant, and a third berg, 

 small one, calved off the large berg, was some 4 miles distant. Indica- 

 tions were that the wind had more effect on the large berg and retarded 

 its drift to some extent. This berg was melting rapidly under the 

 action of the warm water and atmosphere. Crackmg sounds showed 

 decided tension both under water and above. Noon position lat. 

 40° 34', long. 48° 15', sliowmg drift of berg in 24 hours to be 130°, 

 true, at rate of 1 .5 knots per hour. This is the lowest latitiule in which 

 a large berg has been sighted for several years. Special warnings 

 were sent out every two hours and special mformation furnished the 

 steam.ships Idah.o, Lapland, West Lashaway, Bellasco, George Wash- 



