70 



soundings and astronomical fixes this was a correct estimate. April 

 24^30 we again steamed up the eastern side of the Bank approxi- 

 mately 10 miles seaward of the continental edge but, in contrast 

 to our earlier cruise, we found a southerly current of 0.8 knot 

 from the Tail northward to the forty-sixth parallel. This current 

 was determined by means of astronomical sights similar to the pro- 

 cedure followed during the cruise of April 14-16 and which in 

 location also was similar to it. The fact that no current was noticed 

 along the east side of the Bank April 14r-16 and 0.8 knot south- 

 erly cui-rent observed here April 24-29 is difficult to explain. Al- 

 though we have previously noted some variation in the rate of 

 flow of the water around the Atlantic faces of the Grand Banks, 

 this is a great range in a short interval. 



The drift track of a derelict reported March 13 and April 4 

 (see Table of Ice and Obstructions) has been plotted on chart H, 

 which indicates an easterly drift of 1.2 to 1.3 knots per hour. This 

 corresponds in direction and rate of drift to the track of another 

 derelict reported south of the Tail of the Grand Banks during 

 March as plotted on chart F; and all of which corroborates previ- 

 ous evidence as to the rate of flow of the Gulf Streams in this 

 region. 



The position of the body of frigid water with a temperature of 

 32° (the coldest water south of Newfoundland), similar to that 

 recorded on the March chart, is shown as a shaded crosshatched 

 area on charts G and H. The leg which was found on the eastern 

 side of the Bank during March was still present during April, but 

 it had become more attenuated in shape and its southern extren\ity 

 did not extend beyond 43° 20' north, 50° 00' west, a position just 

 north of the Tail. (See chart G.) The position occupied by this 

 body of cold water remained practically unchanged during the 

 second half of the month, but its surface temperature was warmed 

 by the sun 1°. (See chart H). An opportunity near the close of 

 the month permitted the patrol to investigate the superficial ex- 

 tent of this same Arctic water mass southwest of Cape Race. It 

 had encroached some 30 miles on the northwest part of the Bank 

 itself and projected southwestward to the continental edge in the 

 bottom depression between the Grand Banks and St. Pierre Bank 

 but it was not found west of the meridian of St. Pierre. The sur- 

 face temperature rose from 33° to 35-36° over St. Pierre Bank, 

 which would indicate that the bottom configuration influences cir- 

 culation in this region. 



Tlio conti-al and southern portion of the Grand Banks dui-ing 

 April continued to be flooded by a body of water 35° to 38° in tem- 

 perature commonly known as local or bank water. This mass was 



