63 



reports were in error. Dui'ing the season many otlier reports were 

 found to be undoubtedly in error. Thirty-five oceanographic stations, 

 inchiding the stations along the radial extending across the Grand 

 Bank to Cape Race, were occupied during the month. The sea-water 

 temperatures taken indicated a larger volume of Arctic water around 

 the Tail of the Bank than at the same season last year. 



The patrol was discontinued on July 12, the period from the 1st 

 to the 12th being devoted to a search of the area of possible drift of 

 the southernmost bergs reported on June 26 and 30, and to destroy- 

 ing a derelict and some wreckage in the vicinity of the patrol grounds. 

 The reports referred to above were undoubtedly in error, as no ice 

 was found by the patrol nor reported by the many steamers that 

 traversed this area subsequent to the receipt of the reports. Sur- 

 face temperatures of the sea water taken between July 1 and 10 

 showed that the Gulf Stream had advanced from 41° 00' N. to 41° 

 50' N. in the longitude of the Grand Banks. 



During the season 46 vessels were warned of the presence of ice on 

 or near their tracks, 195 were furnished special ice information, ap- 

 proximately 8,500 w^ater temperature reports were received, 416 re- 

 ports of ice sighted were received, 4 steamships were given medical 

 advice by radio, and 4 were furnished weather reports. 



Attention is invited to the important oceanographic work carried 

 on this year. The oceanographic observer is compiling a record of 

 all oceanographic observations taken and a discussion of the data. 

 It is realized that no true picture of oceanographic circulation and 

 the movement of ice in the North Atlantic can be obtained from ob- 

 servations restricted to the surface of the sea. Recognizing the 

 value to be derived from investigation of the subsurface waters, the 

 Interdepartmental Board of the Ice Patrol laid down a program of 

 oceanographic work which has been considerably developed in the 

 last few years. It is believed that the records of the ice patrol con- 

 stitute the most complete and systematic study of liydrographical 

 conditions in the vicinity of the Grand Banks yet obtained. This 

 year it was decided to suspend further collection of biological speci- 

 mens pending analysis of the material collected during previous 

 seasons. The investigation of phj'-sical oceanography was continued 

 as formerly, salinities and temperatures having been ascertained at 

 various levels to a depth of 750 meters at frequent intervals. A total 

 of 103 stations was occupied, which exceeds the number for any pre- 

 vious ice season. The failure of the salinity apparatus installed on 

 the Tampa to furnish data of salinities was disappointing. It is 

 hoped this apparatus will be in working order for next year's patrol. 

 Practical use was made of the subsurface temperature readings in 

 determining in advance the general drift of bergs in the vicinity of 

 the Tail of the Bank. 



