THE INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL, 1925 



The International Ice Patrol, season of 1925, was inaugurated on 

 March 23, 1925. The vessels designated for the regular patrol were 

 the United States Coast Guard cutters Modoc and Tampa, with the 

 cutter Seneca as the stand-by vessel. Commander H. G. Fisher, 

 United States Coast Guard, was assigned as the ice patrol com- 

 mander and was in command of the Tampa. Commander H. H. 

 Wolf, United States Coast Guard, was in command of the Modoc. 



In accordance with the practice established during the previous 

 season, an oceanographer was appointed, and, in order to insure the 

 continuity of the patrol, this oj9&cer was to transfer from ship to ship 

 during the patrol season. Lieut. Commander F. A. Zeusler, United 

 States Coast Guard, was designated to serve in this capacity in place 

 of Lieut. Commander Edward Smith, who was temporarily absent 

 from the United States on special duty in connection with the ice 

 patrol and who was also studying oceanography under Prof. HeUand 

 Hansen at the Geophysical Institute in Bergen, Norway. 



Due to the installation of new radio equipment on each vessel, 

 sonic apparatus on the Tampa, and the desire of headquarters to 

 carry out certain experiments, the oceanographer was assigned addi- 

 tional help consisting of the following men: 



Ensign W. K.. Richards, attached to the Tampa; Chief Radioman 

 Ole Friis; and Yeoman (Second Class) Leo Shubow. 



The primary duty of the patrol was to locate the icebergs and ice 

 fields endangering the steamer lanes and to keep track of aU the ice 

 as it moved to the southward, eastward, and westward toward the 

 steamship lanes, in order that the ice information could be dissem- 

 inated to the vessels entering the ice-infested areas. The secondary 

 duty was to carry out such oceanographic work as would not hamper 

 the vessel in the execution of the primary duty. These two duties 

 were more or less interrelated, especially in connection with the study 

 of currents, the extent of Labrador current in the area where ice was 

 usually found being determined by means of the oceanographic star 

 tions. Additional duties of the patrol included the experimenting 

 with the sonic apparatus, current meters, and short-wave transmitters 

 and receivers. 



The primary duty was accomplished by (a) cruising in the ice- 

 infested areas and in the doubtful areas, (h) requesting passing 

 steamers to keep a bright lookout for ice and obstructions and report- 

 ing any seen to the patrol vessel. It may be stated at this time that 



(1) 



