Third Cruise, Mendota, 22 May to 6 June 1 948 



The Mendota departed from Argentia, Newfoundland, at 1035 G.c.t., 

 21 May 1948, for ice patrol. The Mocoma was met and relieved at 1020 

 G.c.t., 22 May, in the vicinity of 44°30' N., 50°00' W. The Mendota 

 immediately headed southeast from the relief point, searching for the 

 southermost ice. A ladder search was conducted along the southeastern 

 edge of the Grand Banks from 43° N., to 45° N., between the edge of the 

 banks and the 48th meridian. While conducting this ladder search, 

 seven bergs and one growler were sighted. On 27 May a berg was re- 

 ported by the S. S. Howard Stansburij at 43°40' N., 46°19' W. The 

 Mendota shaped course for this position and conducted an expanding 

 square search for the berg. On the 28th the berg was located at 43°53' 

 N., 47°07' W. The Mendota drifted with this berg until 6 June, except 

 for a short period on the 29th of May. It was necessary to leave the berg 

 for a short period on the 29th in order to contact the S. S. Adabelle Lykes 

 and give medical assistance to one of her crew members. The drift of the 

 berg was carefully observed and its path is shown in figure 14. The 

 berg finally disintegrated on the 6th of June at 44°38' N., 43°48' W. 

 The Mendota then set a course to the west preparatory to contacting the 

 Mocoma. At 1330 G.c.t. on 6 June, while enroute to rendezvous with 

 the Mocoma, an SOS was intercepted from the S. S. Nevada, a Danish 

 merchant vessel, advising that she had collided with an iceberg in posi- 

 tion 48°12' N., 52°15' W. Details of this incident are discussed in the 

 section of this Bulletin entitled "International Ice Patrol, 1948." 



At 2225 G.c.t. on the 6th of June, the Mendota rendezvoused with the 

 Mocoma. At 2307 G.c.t., 6 June, the Mocoma relieved the Mendota 

 and the Mendota set course for Argentia, Newfoundland, arriving there 

 on 7 June 1948. Figure 14 shows the track plot of the cruise, all ice 

 sighted and its subsequent drift, if determined, and surface isotherms for 

 the period of the cruise. 



Following is a summary of water-temperatures, ice and obstruction 

 reports received during this cruise: 



Number of ice reports received 51 



Number of vessels furnishing ice reports 40 



Number of water-temperature reports received 662 



Number of vessels furnishing water-temperature reports 166 



Number of obstruction reports received 



Number of vessels furnished special information 15 



During the period of this cruise no aerial reconnaissance was accom- 

 plished. This period proved to be the most extended period of un- 

 favorable observing weather experienced since the resumption of ice 

 patrol in 1946. With the exception of the 22d of May, all forecasts for 

 the area over the (irand Banks and the eastern and southern slopes of 

 the banks were unfavorable. The forecast for the 22d indicated that a 

 partial covei'age of the area might be possible. No flight was attempted, 

 however, due to the questionable effectiveness of such a flight and also 



22 



