undertake this ice ceiLsiis again until 1948. The ice census of Davis 

 Strait and Baffin Bay was undertaken in 1948 by one of the planes used 

 during the regular season. This plane was camera-equipped and photo- 

 graphs were made of major concentrations of bergs. Surface support 

 was furnished by the USCGC Ingham. A more detailed description of 

 the ice census of 1948 together with a discussion of results is contained 

 elsewhere in this Bulletin. 



During the season two requests for medical advice were received. 

 On 29 :May, 1948 the S. S. Adabelle Lijkes in position 42°24' N.,4o° 15' W., 

 reported a crew member with carbon tetrachloride poisoning. They had 

 previously received medical advice from some other source on 23 May 

 but the patient was not responding to treatment. The Adahelle Lykes 

 and the Mendota altered course toward each other intending to ren- 

 dezvous and transfer the patient to the Mendota. However, at 1650- 

 G.c.t. on the 29th, the Adabelle Lykes reported that the patient had died 

 at 1645G.c.t., 29 May. Rendezvous with the Lykes was effected and the 

 Medical Officer of the Mendota visited the Lykes. The death and cause 

 of death were confirmed. The Mendota then resumed patrol. During 

 the 5th cruise, the Mendota received a request from the S. S. WiUiam 

 Vaughn Moody for medical advice; reported position at 35°28' N., 40°10' 

 W. The WiUiam Vaughn Moody was advised to hospitalize the patient 

 at the earhest oppoi-tunity and to contact some vessel with hospital 

 facilities near her position. Xo further reports on the progress of the 

 patient were received. 



In addition to the above requests for medical advice, the VIendota 

 on 9 June, while enroute from Argentia, Newfoundland, to Boston, Mass., 

 took the fishing vessel Raymonde in tow at 42°34' N., 68°40' W., for 

 Gloucester, Mass. The Raymonde was turned over to the fishing vessel 

 Puritan 2 miles east of Eastern Point Buoy Xo. 2A on the morning of 

 the 10th. 



AERIAL ICE RECONNAISSANCE 



As in 1946 and 1947, the use of aircraft for ice reconnaissance proved 

 to be a valuable supplement to surface scouting. The word "supple- 

 ment" is used instead of "replacement" because during periods of low 

 visibility complete coverage from the air cannot be attained. Aircraft 

 attached to the Ice Patrol are radar-equipped but even with the radar 

 working at peak performance it is often impossible to investigate a radar 

 target and identif}^ it visually. Wooden fishing vessels and their dories 

 give a radar return which is indistinguishable from the return from a 

 berg with growlers around it. Safe fl\ang practices prohibit visual 

 identification of these targets during periods of low visibility because of 

 the hazard of collision with a lofty berg. In general, flights are made 

 whenever prospective termi?ial conditions, flying weather, and observing 

 weather in the critical area(s) combine to give promise of a successful 

 aerial reconnaissance. 



