85 



lieved that this particular shape of the "cohl wall" played no small 

 part in the extra-southerly drift of berg 17. (See chart "C") 



To sum up: May 1 to 15 there were 6 bergs south of the 43d par- 

 allel, 8 south of the 44th parallel, 9 south of the 45th parallel, and 

 55 south of the 48th parallel. May 15 to 31 there were 7 bergs south 

 of the 43d parallel, 9 south of the 4oth parallel, and 35 south of the 

 48th parallel. In 1922 there were 8 bergs south of the 43d parallel 

 and 16 south of the 45th parallel diu'ing the entire month; a few 

 more around the Tail in 1922 than in 1923. There were 27 per cent 

 hours of fog and 39 per cent hours of fog and low visibility. There 

 was a marked drop in the force of the wind during the last half of 

 the month, the average force being If, Beaufort scale. 



JUNE. 



Ice patrol records show that June brings more fog than any other 

 month. This year was no exception to the rule, there being 51 per 

 cent hours of fog and 71 hours of fog and low visibility. Such a 

 protracted period handicapped the patrol vessel in its duty of locating 

 bergs south of the 43d parallel. The drifts of the bergs during June 

 indicated the velocity of the Labrador Current around the Tail of 

 the Bank as approximately 0.5, knot per hour. This is only one- 

 third the strength of the current found at the same place in April. 



Berg No. 11a (see chart ''C") followed an interesting drift, being 

 entirely confined to the area west and northwest of the Tail of the 

 Grand Bank. It was sighted by the patrol May 3 in lat. 43° 38', 

 long. 51° 51', grounded on the southwest slope of the Bank in 56 

 fathoms of water, and was so distinctive in shape and in markings 

 that there was no doubt of its identification when it was further 

 observed on May 29, June 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, and finally June 18. 

 Thus we have a track of its drift over a period of six weeks. The 

 average velocity of the current on the west side of the Grand Banks 

 during this period was between 0.4 and 0.6 knot per hour. Berg 11a 

 drifted under the influence of a large ocean eddy between May 3 

 and June 8, making a complete loop with a diameter of about 50 

 miles. 



In 192P there is a record of a berg following a similar elliptical- 

 shaped drift, at the same time of the year, in the same locality, and 

 at approximately the same rate of speed, similarly carried by a large 

 ocean eddy on the west side of the Grand Banks. Berg 11 (see 

 chart "B") also drifted under the influence of this same eddy. 



All this furnishes evidence toward our knowledge regarding the 

 circulation of the water masses west and northwest of the Tail of 



' 1921. Smith, Edward H.: International Ice Observation and Ice Patrol Service, U. S. Coast Guard, 

 Bulletin No. 9, chart "H." 



