33 



The Tampa sailed from St. Pierre at 6.15 a. m. on the 18th, and 

 at 11.40 a. ni. made contact with the Modoc in partially thick 

 weather, latitude 46^ 11'. longitude 56" 05'. Mail was delivered to 

 the Modoc: Lieutenant Smith and his assistant, Yeoman Lewis, were 

 transferred to tlie Tampa, and this vessel relieved the Modoc of ice 

 patrol. The Modoc proceeded toward Halifax. 



Summary of the ice situation was to the effect that no ice had been 

 sighted by the Modoc during period of this patrol. A small berg 

 was reported May 16 on northern part of the Grand Banks, but 

 this report was considered erroneous, in view of the exhaustive 

 searcli conducted in the vicinity by the patrol vessel. The only 

 authentically located ice exists in the region of the Strait of Belle 

 Isle, the most recent report, on April 29, giving 53 bergs and 

 growlers. 



There are three recent obstruction reports: On May 16 derelict 

 schooner awash was reported in latitude 40° 39', longitude 53° 45% 

 while wreckage, probably from this schooner, was reported on May 

 16 in latitude 40° 52'. longitude 52° 49'. The third was that of a 

 schooner bottom up on May 11 in latitude 44° 39', longitude 55° 08', 

 this being in the eddies west of the Grand Banks. Li view of its 

 proximity and the existing respite from necessity for ice investiga- 

 tion, the last-named report is deemed worthy of our immediate 

 investigation. At 1.40 stood 156° true for reported position of 

 schooner bottom up. Fog at intervals in the forenoon was succeeded 

 by haze in afternoon. Fresh to gentle W. to SSW. breezes pre- 

 vailed this day. 



May 20 : Light and gentle SSAV. to XW. breezes, with line weather, 

 was experienced throughout the day. Speed was regulated so as to 

 reach point for beginning search at daybreak. At 5.10 full speed, 

 natural draft. At 6.12 reached last reported position of schooner 

 bottom up — latitude 44° 39': longitude 55° 06'. Began rectangular 

 search with 12 miles between lines of search. At 8.30 p. m. stopped 

 and lay to for the night— latitude 44° 40'; longitude 55° 35'. 



The Cape Race broadcast of this date contained a report from 

 steamship Davisian of growler in latitude 41° 00': longitude 51° 

 18' on May 19. This report had not been heard by radio of the 

 patrol, and all circumstances indicated that it was erroneous, prob- 

 ably having been garbled b}' numerous transmissions and not worthy 

 of consideration. The Davisian is of the Leyland Line, which oper- 

 ates ships to Halifax and the St. Lawrence: therefore it is most 

 improbable that the Davisian would be so far south as latitude 41° 

 00'. Probably the position should have been given as latitude 51° 

 00'. Search of the patrol and passing steamships has shown no ice 

 south of latitude 46° 00' for a month, and it is practically impossible 



