10 



The Modoc then zigzagged to the southward, cutting the eastern 

 bank at intervals until latitude 44° 00' N. was reached. Snow and 

 heavy weather was encountered at intervals. Stations Nos. 23 to 25 

 were taken on April 15, all showing Arctic water. On April 16 a 

 radio request for medical assistance was received. The doctor diag- 

 nosed the case and prescribed for it. Excellent progress by the pa- 

 tient was later reported by radio. 



Stations Nos. 26, 27, and 28 were taken on April 16; all showed 

 traces of Arctic water and a lower layer of warmer water. Stations 

 Nos. 29 to 32 were taken on April 17, showing no Arctic water and 

 indicating that the southern extremity was north of latitude 44° 00' N. 

 This latitude was taken as the southern limit for ice at this time and 

 until the Labrador current increased in force, which subsequently 

 occurred. The position of the southernmost ice having been deter- 

 mined and its set and drift calculated, the Modoc proceeded to examine 

 the French fishing fleet and to render such assistance as was necessary. 

 Contact was made on the 19th and eight fishermen spoken. Potatoes, 

 frozen meat, cabbage, cigarettes, and chocolate were exchanged for 

 fresh fish for the messes. The mail was taken on board and radio 

 communication afforded. The master of the Breton schooner 

 L'Essor of Grandville, came on board with the schooner's "perrier" 

 or signal gun, on which the pivot had been broken from the saddle, 

 thus rendering the gun useless. This was repaired, restoring to the 

 fishermen a most useful implement depended upon to guide the dory- 

 men back to their ship during the fog when the fog horn could not be 

 heard. 



All indications up to this time had been for a light ice season but 

 these hopes were soon blasted when a number of bergs were reported 

 north of latitude 49° N. It was soon realized that instead of a light ice 

 season it would be a late but moderate ice season, the ice possibly not 

 extending very far south but with one or two bergs reaching latitude 

 42° N. In view of this the Modoc again proceeded northward on 

 April 20, having assured itself that no ice existed to the southward, 

 and again located the ice on April 21. All bergs that had been pre- 

 viously seen were sighted again and identified. Their positions, set, 

 and drift were determined. In addition, three other bergs were 

 located in the axis of the rapidly increasing Labrador current leading 

 the newly reported ice. A thorough search of the area was made and 

 the set and drift of all ice again determined before proceeding to the 

 southward. Wlien this survey was completed the Modoc headed 

 southwestward to meet the Tampa. The relief was accomplished 

 at 11 a. m., April 24, in latitude 44° 57' N., longitude 53° 13' W. 



