10 



This hovg. since last sighted, April 2, had drifted parallel Avith 

 50-fath()in contour of bank, in general direction 210° true. 0.9 mile 

 per hour. From close aboard its present height was' estimated as 

 some 80 feet, showing overrating of height by the Caineronia, as 

 usually is the case of estimates made from vessel at distance. The 

 discrepancy of some 11 miles in estimated position is' also very 

 common. 



After nightfall haziness increased and we kept position in sight 

 of berg by means of searchlights. The vessel drifted to leeward at 

 rate of some- 1 or 1.5 knots per hour, and occasional backing was 

 generally found to be the best Avay to keep position. Mother Carey's 

 chickens were found in the vicinity of the berg and a number flew 

 on board, blinded by the searchlights, disabling themselves by col- 

 lision with rigging or structural parts of ship. 



Ice report received this day from steamship Cameroiiio. Obstruc- 

 tion report received from steamship Vendome. 



April 5: Moderate to fresh N. to NNW. breezes; overcast; mod- 

 erate sea. Standing by southernmost berg, keeping it constantly in 

 sight by means of searchlight and keeping position by occasionally 

 steaming as necessary. At 6 left berg, latitude 42° 37'; longitude 

 50° 18', and proceeded west true to meet Modoc. 



At 4.30 p. m. met Modoc, latitude 42° 30', longitude 52° 43'. 

 Lieut. E. H. Smith, oceanographer, and Yeoman E. W. Lewis, as- 

 sistant, transferred to Modoc, which ves.sel took over ice patrol re- 

 lieving Tampa for refueling, etc., in Halifax. 



SUMMARY 



The weather experienced this cruise has been decidedly better 

 than the average for the season as shown by pilot chart, since we 

 have- had only 20 per cent of fogs and some 13 per cent of gales. 

 This is in marked contrast to the weather of last year, since we then 

 had gales for 9 of the 15 days for the same period. The mild winter 

 was reflected in the surface temperature found on the Banks, this 

 being 37 to 38° F., G° warmer than normal. There has also been a 

 pronounced prevalence of warm water over localities where arctic 

 water might be expected. The absence of field ice on the Grand 

 Banks is also a notable feature. The effect of the unusual features 

 on the number of bergs to be expected later in the season can not be 

 positively foretold, but it would api:)ear that less ice than usual 

 might be i)redicted. 



As a logical result of the absence of arctic water there has thus 

 far been decidedly a smaller number of bergs than usual for the 

 season, only three having been reported south of Newfoundland 

 since March 13. Two of these have been sighted by the Tamjja and 



