fulness. They should be addressed to the Commandant, U. S. Coast 

 Guard, Washington 25, D. C. Thanks are again expressed to those 

 agencies and vessels whose wholehearted cooperation makes this inter- 

 national service possible. 



CRUISE SUMMARIES 



First Cruise, Mendofa, 26 April to M May 1948 



The Mendota departed from Argentia, Newfoundland, at 2031 G.c.t., 

 26 April 1948, for an ice observation cruise in the Grand Banks area. At 

 this time the critical area was in the vicinity of the Tail of the Banks. 

 Consequently this area was scouted out initially with negative results. 

 The remainder of the cruise was confined to the area between the 43d 

 and 46th parallels along the eastern slope of the Grand Banks. Figure 

 12 shows all ice sighted with its subsequent drift, if determined, together 

 with the complete track plot and surface isotherms for the period of the 

 cruise. 



At 1200 G.c.t., 14 May, the continuous surface vessel patrol was in- 

 augurated at which time the Mocoma relieved the Mendota at 45°02' N., 

 52°29' W. The Mendota then set course for St. Johns, Newfoundland, 

 arriving in that port at 1117 G.c.t., 15 May 1948. After a brief stay in 

 St. Johns, Newfoundland, the Mendota departed at 2116 G.c.t., 17 May, 

 for Argentia, Newfoundland, arriving there at 1217 G.c.t., 18 May 1948. 



The following is a summary of water-temperatures, ice, and ol^struc- 

 tion reports received during this cruise : 



Number of ice reports received 128 



Number of vessels furnishing ice reports 76 



Number of water-temperature reports received 577 



Number of vessels furnishing water-temperature reports 148 



Number of obstruction reports received 



Number of vessels furnished special information 23 



During the period of this cruise, patrol vessel activity was supple- 

 mented by aerial ice observation flights as follows: On 27 April an at- 

 tempt was made to search the area south and east of the Tail of the 

 Banks. Most of the area was blanketed by a layer of dense surface fog. 

 Effective visual observation was limited to that portion of the searched 

 area south of 42°40' N. An attempt was made to cover this area again 

 on the 29th, effective coverage being hmited to that portion of the area 

 south of 44° N. Weather forecasts for 2 and 4 May were favorable, but 

 both flights accomplished little because of unfavorable weather conditions 

 encountered. On 5 May a flight effectively covered the entire area off 

 the eastern edge of the banks from 42° N., to Flemish Cap. On the 6th 

 a flight attempted to extend the area scouted on the 5th northward over 

 the northern slope of Flemish Cap. However, visibility was limited in 

 this area. No further aerial reconnaissance was possible until 12 May. 



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