CRUISES OF THE PATROL VESSELS 

 FIRST CRUISE "TAMPA," MARCH 23-APRIL 9 



The ice patrol season began on Monday, March 23, somewhat 

 later than the cruise of 1924, due to the absence of ice on the Grand 

 Banks, when the Tampa left Boston Navy Yard at 9.50 a. m. The 

 vessel proceeded to Stellwagen Bank where the sonic depth finder 

 and compensator were tested and compensated. A course was then 

 laid up the coast of Nova Scotia to a point off Sambro Light Vessel 

 and thence offshore. This gave the oceanographer an opportunity 

 to test the sonic depth finder for depths in both shallow and deep 

 water, in hard and soft bottom and over rocky bottom, obtaining 

 excellent results. Communication was established with all radio 

 stations interested in the ice patrol, and cooperation was requested 

 from Cape Race, Chebucto, and St. Pierre, as well as the S. S. 

 Jacques Cartier. All stations responded immediately, notifying the 

 patrol vessel of their desire to cooperate. Cape Race was designated 

 by the director of radio, Canadian Government, to disseminate all 

 information relative to weather, ice, and obstructions emanating 

 from the Canadian wireless service. 



It was decided prior to the departure of the patrol vessels that the 

 number of stations to be taken should be reduced to a minimum 

 consistent with the efficiency of the patrol. During this patrol 20 

 stations were occupied. The first 3 were taken to determine whether 

 Arctic water existed between Sable Island and the west side of the 

 Grand Banks. Stations 4-20 were taken to determine the existence 

 and extent of the Labrador current at the Tail of the Banks and its 

 southern limits. Three radians on which these stations were located 

 were centered on the critical point in latitude 44° 00' N., longitude 

 50° 00' W. 



March 25 found the patrol vessel oflF »Sable Island. A course was 

 set to the southward to a point in latitude 43° 24' N., longitude 

 59° 57' W. where the vessel arrived at 8 a. m., March 26. Here the 

 first station was occupied. A moderate sea was encountered and 

 for that reason only a limited number of samples were taken. This 

 station also became the starting point for a series of soundings to the 

 eastward to determine the general contour of the bottom on the 

 approach to the Grand Banks from the southward and eastward, 

 (See Charts Nos. 1 and 2.) 



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