REPORT OF ICE PATROL COMMANDER 



Commander H. G. Fisher, United States Coast Guard 



The International Ice Patrol for the season of 1925 was inaugu- 

 rated on March 23, when the Tampa left Boston for the Grand 

 Banks, and was continued until July 12, when the Modoc reported 

 the steamship lanes entirely free from the ice menace. 



The presence of the Coast Guard cutters has come to be looked 

 u])on as an established fact by all vessels passing through this area 

 during the ice season. The prompt response to warnings, the ab- 

 sence of interference during the daily radio broadcasts, and the 

 increased number of ice and temperature reports received from com- 

 mercial vessels, indicate that the patrol is considered a most valuable 

 aid to navigation. 



In preparation for the patrol the Tam'pa and Modoc had been 

 ecjuipped with special radio sets of the latest improved design, and 

 a sonic depth finder had been installed on the Tam'pa for the pur- 

 pose of conducting experiments to test its value in locating ice bergs. 



The radio outfit with which the vessels were equipped proved 

 most valuable. The radio telephones were of especial value to the 

 vessels in relieving each otiier. The splendid work of the radio 

 personnel is worthy of mention. Each ship had a radio complement 

 of four operators, and, while on patrol, an extra chief radioman was 

 attached to the oceanographic party. In addition to the regular 

 radio traffic it was found necessary to relay certain messages through 

 the ship in port. The work of the radio force was hard, constant, 

 and wearing, but it was all performed willingly and most efficiently. 



The sonic depth finder as installed on the Tampa was found to 

 be wholl}' unsuitable for locating ice bergs and other obstacles, but 

 as a navigational aid in taking soundings and locating a position in 

 a fog it proved of great value. 



During the first cruise the limits of the Labrador current were 

 determined. Then, no ice having been encountered to southward, 

 a search was conducted as far north as latitude 48°, but no ice was 

 seen. The presence of considerable warm water over the locality 

 where Arctic water was usually found and the absence of ice were 

 especially noted during the cruise. During the remaining cruises 

 the limits of the Labrador current were determined whenever it 

 was deemed necessary, but the ''cold wall" was plotted every 

 15 days. 



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