30 



at 1 a. m. and had risen to 29.94 at midnight. The steamer Schenec- 

 tady reported passing, on May 15. at G.30, Greenwich mean time, 

 in latitude 40° 52' north, longitude 52° 49' west, part of the poop 

 and stern of a wooden vessel. The wreckage was about 40 feet long, 

 15 feet wide, and floated 6 feet out of water. This is probably the 

 same derelict reported by the P atria on May 10 in latitude 41° 16' 

 north, longitude 55° 51' west. If the same wreckage, it has drifted 

 100° true, 150 miles in five days, an average drift of 30 miles a day. 

 At 9.30 p. m. the Oxonian reported passing a small iceberg at 23.10, 

 Greenwich mean time, in latitude 46° 14' north, longitude 50° 15'' 

 west. The position of the berg is fairly close to the Virgin Rocks, 

 This probably accounts for its not having been reported sooner, 

 as most vessels give these dangerous rocks a wide berth. At 9.34 

 p. m. we started ahead for the position of the berg, cruising at 

 standard speed. The night was clear and bright, the moon casting a 

 silvery path across the ocean. 



On May 16 the patrol continued searching for the small iceberg 

 reported yesterday until 12.05 p. m.. when we anchored near its re- 

 ported position in latitude 46° 15' north, longitude 50° 10' west. At 

 5 a. m. it began to get hazy and then a thick fog and heavy rain set 

 in making it impracticable to search for the berg to advantage. 

 When we arrived at its reported position w^e anchored to await clear- 

 ing weather. Station No. 467 was occupied while at anchor. No. 

 arctic water was found. Special ice information was furnished the 

 Canadian Constructor^ the Pipestone County^ and the Capulin. The 

 weather this day was mostly overcast and cloudy, with fog and rain. 

 At 5.45 ]). m. the fog blew away and it became clear overhead. There 

 were light to fresh SW. and W. breezes, moderate SW. sea. The 

 barometer was 29.93 at 1 a. m., 29.83 at 3 p. m., and 29.91 at midnight. 



At 8 p. m. a message was received from the Tam/pa^ stating she left 

 Halifax at noon to-da}'. 



At daylight on the 17th the conditions were favorable for con- 

 tinuing the search for the small berg reported on the 15th. The 

 anchor was hove up and at 4 a. m. we went ahead full speed, natural 

 draft. We steamed to the northward as close to the Virgin liocks as 

 advisable and then to the west, then south, and then east. At 2.15 

 p. m. we stopped near the French barkentine Pomone^ of St. Malo, at 

 anchor in 46° 17' north, 50° 07' west, engaged in fishing. This an- 

 chorage is just 4 miles from the berg reported May 15 by the Oxonian. 

 A ship's boat was sent to the barkentine to obtain information. The 

 master stated that he had been anchored in his present location since 

 May 15; that he had seen no iceberg; and, in fact, had seen none this 

 season, which was unusual in his experience of 20 years as a fisherman 

 on the Grand Banks. Other fishermen with whom he had been in 



