72 



nental shelf, and as far off shore as they affect adjacent water 

 masses, were 3°-6° warmer during the month than observed at the 

 same time during previous years, but the Athmtic water south of 

 the "cold wall" did not differ in temperature from that observed 

 during previous years. 



The ice during April consisted of two bergs, one of which, berg 

 No. 2, drifted south of the Tail into the Atlantic and melted April 

 11. ( See chart B.) The other berg was a small one and was reported 

 in the north-central part of the Grand Bank on the 16th, being 

 sighted by the patrol on the 17th. It was reported on the 18th and 

 on the 22d but not thereafter, most j^robably having melted. (See 

 chart B.) Two bergs were reported on the 26th in the vicinity of 

 46° 11' north, 49° 00' west, but a most thorough and exhaustive 

 search instituted immediately and continued for several days under 

 excellent visibility conditions failed to reveal either one of them. 

 Several passing steamers cooperated with the patrol in its search and 

 we are forced to conclude that the steamer making the report was 

 mistaken. The fact that it was near midnight when she claimed to 

 have seen the bergs detracts from the credibility of the report. 



Berg No. 2 after entering the water south of the Tail disintegrated 

 more rapidly than any berg of which we have record. April 4 it 

 passed the Tail, where it emerged into water at 34°-35°, a warming 

 of 3°— 1° from that of the Arctic current proper in which it had been 

 floating. Oceanographic station No. 385 was taken near the berg this 

 day at 4.30 p. m. (See Oceanographic station table.) On the 5th in- 

 stant it was described as " a medium sized berg with a surface above 

 water in two parts, separated by a shallow channel way, one part a 

 ratlier low ice ridge, the other a peak approximately 150 feet high.*' 

 The water temperature this day was 34°, and the wind on the 4th and 

 5th was light and variable and the sea smooth. 



On the 6th the wind remained light and the water Avarmed from 

 34°-38°. A slight swell washed the base of the berg and assisted dis- 

 integration. A growler was calved occasionally but disintegration 

 did. not appear to be noticeably rapid. Oceanographic station No. 

 386 was taken this day at noon near the berg. It had begun to calve 

 faster on the 7th when al)out noon a heavy swell made up from the 

 nortliwurd. its rise having l)een observed during the morning. This, 

 togetlier with the water temperature of 40°, accelerated disintegra- 

 tion which may be termed " rapid " beginning with noon this date. 

 Early in the morning of the 8tli the berg crossed the "cold wall,*' 

 entering water warmer than 56° ; which was a rise in temperature of 

 approximately 18°. Oceanogra])hir station No. 387 was taken near 

 the berg at 1 p. m. this date. It Avas noted that '' it was fast dwin- 

 dling, cracking, calving, and rolling continuously." The latter part of 



