26 



During the morning Avatch part of a tree trunk and branches of a 

 tree were passed. They were not a menace to navigation. A report 

 was received from the steamer Barembek of a large black conical 

 spar buoy on which was a white flag with one black letter in it. The 

 buoy was passed at 2.20 p. m. Greenwich mean time, May G, in lati- 

 tude 43° 15' north, longitude 38° 10' west. During this day oceano- 

 graphic stations Xos. 445, 446, and 447 were occupied, the last at 

 6.40 p. m., after which the vessel drifted for the night. During the 

 6th the weather was mosth- overcast and cloudy, with calm to light 

 SW. airs and breezes. The visibility was fair except from noon to 

 2.30 p. m., when it was foggy. At 5.30 p. m. it began to rain and 

 continued until midnight. 



Xo ice was seen or reported this day. 



The weather on May 7 was exceptionally fine. The drizzling ram 

 which we had at midnight of the 6th had ceased by 1 o'clock and the 

 wind had shifted to a gentle NW. breeze. The sky was clear, 

 the visibility excellent, and the barometer was 29.80 and rising 

 slowly. Throughout the day the sky was clear, the visibility 

 excellent; the wind varied from XW. to WSW., and from mod- 

 erate to light breezes. There was a moderate westerly swell. At 

 midnight on the 7tli tlie barometer was 30.06 and still rising. At 

 4.30 a. m.. May 7. started ahead and continued cruising the remainder 

 of the day and night. Oceanographic stations Nos. 448 to 452, both 

 inclusive, were occupied along the southwest slope and south of the 

 Grand Banks. Although many steamers crossed the Labrador cur- 

 rent between Cape Race and latitude 43° 00' north, and the visibility 

 was unusually good, none of them had seen any ice. Xo ice was 

 sighted by this vessel. 



Special ice information Avas furnished the Berengaria^ and the 

 French steamer Phj No. 21 was, on request, given information as to 

 the present location of the French fishing fleet. 



The weather, AA-hicli Avas exceedingly fine on the 7th, continued so 

 on ^[ay 8. The atmosphere was very clear and the sky practically 

 cloudless. Stars shone brightly during the earh' morning and at 

 night and the moon from evening twilight until it set at 10.11 p. m. 

 Throiiglioiit the diiy there Avere calms and light airs, and breezes 

 from AA'. to XAV. The sea Avas smooth. The barometer at midnight 

 on the 7th Avas 30.06 and at midnight on the 8th it Avas 30.21. Dur- 

 ing tlie (lay the Modoc cruised along the south and southeastern slope 

 of the Grand Banks as far north as latitude 43° 20' north. Oceano- 

 graphic stations Xos 453 to 457, both inclusive, Avere occupied, the 

 last one at 7.12 p. m., after A\-hich aa'c drifted for the night. During 

 the 8(h se\L'ral murres, fulmars, and dovekies Avei'e seen. Xo ice Avas 

 sighted this day and none Avas reported, although several steamers 

 passed across the Labi-adoi- current betAveen latitude 43° 00' north 



