24 



deeper than shown in the chart. Station No. 241 showed depth of 1*.) 

 fathoms, near edge of Bank, markedly less than given on chart. 



Met the Modoc at 2 p. m., latitude 45° 34', longitude 57° 10'. 

 Lieutenant 8mith and Yeoman Lewis transferred to Modoc and that 

 ^essel assumed ice patrol. 



SUMMARY 



The Aveather experienced this cruise has been generally favorable. 

 Some 12 per cent of gales has been experienced, which is approxi- 

 mately the amount given on pilot chart as the mean for the season, 

 but less than experienced in the Tampa's two previous seasons. Some 

 12 per cent of fogs has also been experienced, which is markedly less 

 than the 30 to 45 per cent given on pilot chart. Water temperature of 

 the reservoir of the Grand Banks has been higher than usual at the 

 season, and warm Atlantic Avater has been found prevailing closer to 

 the Grand Banks than usual. 



The extraordinary^ absence of ice is probably a result of this un- 

 usual water-temperature situation. We were unable to locate the 

 small berg sighted by the Modoc on the Banks April 17 and last re- 

 ported April 22, and we concluded that it had disintegrated. Later 

 our diligent search, in which we utilized passing steamers, failed 

 to locate two bergs reported on the Banks on 26th and we concluded 

 that they also had disintegrated. No other ice has been seen or re- 

 ported south of Newfoundland. 



The schooner David C. Ritchey^ reported abandoned in a sinking- 

 condition on April 22, has not been again reported, and we con- 

 clude that she must have sunk. The " drifting schooner wreckage," 

 reported by steamer Crete on 26th instant has not been again re- 

 ported, nor were we able to secure further details from the Crete. 

 Possibly this wreckage was from the same schooner as the wreckage 

 destroyed by the Tampa on April 21, possibly from the derelict 

 schooner reported in latitude 40° 45', longitude 57° 25', on April 

 16. Normal Gulf Stream drift of 1.2 knots per hour would cover 

 the intervening distance. The derelict schooner Governor Parr was 

 again reported on April 26 and 29, having made an extraordinary 

 drift throughout a circle of some 400 miles in diameter in a period 

 of some months. This derelict was last reported on April 2!' 

 in latitude 46° 08', longitude 32° 00', in the main axis of the Gulf 

 Stream, and it is hoped that it will drift to the northward. 



During the period of this patrol ice reports Avere received from 

 tAvo vessels, obstruction reports fi-om seven vessels, and 902 Avater- 

 temperature reports Avere received. 



