83 



there has been no instance of another berg south of the 41st parallel 

 during the past four years. The fact that extraordinary southerly 

 drifts of icebergs are so rare, there being none other recorded since the 

 establishment of the patrol, may have caused us to lose sight of the 

 fact that the employment of high explosives in the destruction of a 

 berg is entirely practical. It brings to light a latent ability possessed 

 by the International Ice Patrol. This in no manner minimizes the 

 menace of icebergs north of the 41st parallel, where they exist during 

 the ice season ready to drift soutliward without warning on to the 

 extra-southerly passenger steamship tracks. When such a dangerous 

 situation exists, threatening passenger ships, as shown by drift of 

 berg 17 (see chart ''C"), the patrol ship which is standing by the 

 berg should immediately commence demolition operations. Thjs 

 work is not only justified as practical, but is demanded in view of 

 the danger to lives and property which are hazarded in this busy lane. 



It is considered that the result of the four experiments outlined 

 above was quite favorable under the circumstances then existing. 



It is believed that the life of this berg was certainly shortened by 

 more than one day, possibly two days^ and the vessel released earlier 

 by that period for other important duty in connection with the patrol. 

 Moreover, the menace of a berg so situated in the event of fog can 

 not be overestimated. While the Tampa stood by, passing rifts of 

 fog frequently concealed the berg and the Mauretania, Lapland, 

 Olympic, and other large liners passed within a short distance. 



It is thought, however, that the possible use of wrecking mines is 

 limited to cases of bergs in or near the steamer lanes. Only in such 

 cases where the weather is sufficiently smooth for operations and the 

 berg's disintegration far enough advanced for it to feel the effect of 

 the explosives would the expense and eft'ort be justified. 



Sketch No. 2 shows all the bergs around the Tail of the Grand 

 Bank, May 15 to 31. It will be noticed that there were two bergs 

 reported during this period, the positions of which were not verified 

 by the patrol. 



The small berg reported by both the steamships Garonia and Sor- 

 land in lat. 41° 00', long. 49° 05', May 24, is beheved authentic. Its 

 life was short in the warm water. May 28 the Japanese steamer 

 Etna Maru reported passing 10 miles north of a large berg about the 

 hour of sunset. The patrol ship made contact with the Etna Maru 

 and ran back her course. At daylight the next morning, with 

 excellent visibility, there was no sign of ice, hence we are convinced 

 the report was in error. 



The foregoing incident is cited in order to point out to those as- 

 signed the responsibilities of the patrol in future years that it has been 

 found necessary to question carefully the authenticity of every mes- 

 sage reporting a berg south of the 43d parallel. In determining the 



