REPORTS OF COMMANDING OFFICERS 



COAST GUARD CUTTER "TAMPA," LIEUT. COMMANDER W. J. 

 WHEELER, ICE PATROL, FIRST CRUISE, MARCH 20 TO APRIL 5, 

 1924 



The Tampa left Boston Navy Yard at 10.45 a. m., March 18, and 

 proceeded to the Tail of Grand Banks by direct route north of 

 George's Bank. Light to fresh northwesterly winds and unusually 

 fine weather prevailed until forenoon of 20th, when wind increased 

 to strong breeze and moderate gale, NNW., hauling to NNE., 

 which continued until night of 22d., though moderating at intervals 

 to fresh breezes. Fog was experienced at intervals on 22d. 



On 19th we sent the following message to wireless officer, Halifax : 

 '• International ice patrol will be fully inaugurated March 22. Patrol 

 will be continuous until end of ice season, probably early in July. 

 Agreeably to imderstanding of last year patrol will broadcast all ice 

 and obstruction information for the Atlantic area. Ice patrol call 

 this year — NIDK — TAMPA." Similar messages were sent to officer 

 in charge station at St. Pierre and to commercial station and com- 

 pass station at Cape Race. 



At 5.50 p. m., 21st, latitude 42° 42', longitude 54° 21', the vessel 

 was stopped for some five hours, partly to adjust air pump and 

 partly to avoid reaching possible ice area before daybreak would give 

 an opi^ortunity for efficient search witli masthead lookout. An unim- 

 portant obstruction report (spar) was also received this day from 

 steamship Canadian Ranger^ and communication was received from 

 French radio station, St. Pierre, expressing their intention to fully 

 cooperate with patrol for the season. 



Masthead lookout was established at daybreak 22d, and at 9 a. m. 

 coui'se was set 57° true to reach southwest slope of bank, partly for 

 purpose of searching and partly for anchorage in event of continu- 

 ance of fog. 



At 2 p. m., 22d, stopped and occupied station No. 377; depth of 

 water 105 fathoms. Temperatures at four depths were all above 0° 

 C, showing no arctic water, therefore no indications of ice. At 3.25 

 ahead on course 57° true and at 6 anchored for the night in 45 

 fathoms port chain, Tail of Bank; latitude 43° 34', longitude 51° 15'. 

 Sent out first broadcasts for season and made other routine reports. 

 10761—24 2 (5) 



