26 



France passed close by the berg, and at 5 p. m. the steamer Westerner 

 passed 10 miles to the southward. The positions of both these 

 steamers indicated that the patrol's position was correct. The posi- 

 tion the master of the Saugus gave at the time of grounding was 

 passed over by a number of steamers during the two preceding days 

 and no ice was seen. Also the Westerner passed within 10 miles on 

 June 22, a beautiful, clear day and saw no ice. All of June 23 fog 

 existed. The Modoc searched for berg No. 14 after the fog lifted, and 

 found it just before noon on June 24 in latitude 42° 27' N., longi- 

 tude 48° 08' W. Upon the arrival of the Modoc the berg capsized 

 and practically broke in half, one-half breaking into a great number of 

 growlers and the other half remaining intact. Shortly thereafter a 

 steamer was seen heading for the berg and passed the same close 

 aboard, having to shift helm to avoid dangerous growlers. The 

 patrol vessel asked the vessel for the position while abeam the berg, 

 which was given as latitude 42° 05' N., longitude 48° 12' W. The 

 steamer was then requested to furnish a correct noon position. The 

 steamer traveled exactly 32 minutes due west aftei passing the berg 

 until local apparent noon. This steamer had not cooperated in any 

 way. It is of interest to note that this steamer absolutely checked 

 the patrol vessel's noon position which was latitude 42° 27' N., 

 longitude 48° 05' W. 



The track followed by this berg from the 9th instant in latitude 

 42° 02' N., longitude 50° 42' W., to the 24th instant, when it had 

 reached latitude 42° 27' N., longitude 48° 08' W., was such as to 

 render necessary the presence of the patrol vessel in its vicinity. 

 Numerous vessels were coming in on courses which carried them 

 across this area near to, and often north of the forty-second parallel. 

 Although the periodic broadcasts from the patrol vessel advised all 

 ships of the menace of this berg, special warnings were sent out, 

 and special information given to approaching steamers on request, 

 as to safe courses, the tendency of most of the passing craft seemed 

 to be that of shaping their courses close to the successive positions 

 of the berg, from day to day, in order to gain a few miles in their 

 distances; and this practice was often carried to the point of involv- 

 ing considerable risk of running onto the berg at night or in thick 

 weather if their positions were not accurately known. The patrol 

 vessel was able to keep close record of the courses of all ships in the 

 vicinity that gave information in connection with their temperature 

 reports of their positions, courses, and speeds; and practically all of 

 those communicated with altered course when it was suggested 

 that they do so in the interest of safet3\ On five nights during 

 this cruise the searchlight was used at intervals to show passing 

 ships the berg that was being watched. In addition to the impor- 

 tance of the above supervision, there was that of observation of the 



