34 



The first berg was sighted on April 13 in latitude 48° 40' N., 

 longitude 49° 21' W. After this time the vessels worked to the 

 southward with the southernmost berg, keeping under surveillance 

 all bergs which showed signs of becoming a menace to the steam- 

 ship lanes. From June 3 to June 30, bergs were sighted between 

 latitudes 42° N. and 43° N.,the southernmost ice in latitude 41° 55' 

 N. being reached on June 15. "Wliile many more bergs were sighted 

 during the season of 1925, the drift to the south was about two 

 months later than last year. After the 1st of May a great influx 

 of bergs started and large numbers remained in evidence until the 

 end of the fifth cruise, June 8. By this time the bergs were rapidly 

 disintegrating. During the latter part of the fifth cruise the Labra- 

 dor current temporarily increased in strength, carrying with it the 

 two bergs which threatened the steamer lanes during the month 

 of June. But this menace had disappeared by the end of the month. 



The upward trend of the Gulf Stream, at least 15 days ahead of the 

 season of 1924, was apparent from the third cruise on. By the time 

 the Tampa had made her last cruise the prevailing winds from the 

 south had driven the warm water well up on the Banks. All ice 

 south of latitude 48° N. had completely disintegrated. 



The usual rough weather was experienced. Over 60 per cent of fog 

 prevailed during the first cruise, while the second was characterized 

 by gales and not more than average fog for the season. Fog and 

 days of poor visibility predominated for about six weeks after the 

 third cruise began. The amount of fog and the number of gales de- 

 creased during the sixth cruise, but from June 25 to July 9 fog again 

 increased. The last cruise of the Modoc was accompanied by excel- 

 lent weather, very little fog and no gales. It is of interest to note that 

 the Modoc experienced the most clear weather and strong breezes, 

 while the Tampa experienced the most fog and the least number of 

 gales. 



The cooperation of the Canadian officials, particularly those con- 

 nected with the radio department and the ice patrol service, was 

 most helpful. The courtesy of the commandant of His Majesty's 

 Canadian dock yard, in extending the use of the wharf at Halifax to 

 the cutters while in port, is gratefully acknowledged. The patrol 

 commander further desires to express his appreciation of the excel- 

 lent cooperation of navy radio stations and the Weather Bureau of 

 the United States. 



To enumerate all who were of service in making the patrol a suc- 

 cess would necessitate naming the master and his assistants of prac- 

 tically every ship that passed through the ice area during the season. 

 That their hearty cooperation and valuable assistance were appre- 

 ciated they well know. The patrol commander and those associated 

 with him desire to express their thanks for the ready spirit of com- 



