During the period of this cruise, patrol vessel activity was supplemented 

 by aerial ice observation flights as follows: On 7 June, two flights were 

 made. Available weather information indicated that adverse scouting 

 conditions would prevail in the area south and southeast of the banks. 

 Because of this no attempt was made on the 7th to locate the berg re- 

 ported on the 6th at 41°19' N., 45°16' W. Instead, search courses were 

 laid out covering the eastern slope of the banks which had not been re- 

 connoitered since the 17th of May. Upon reaching the search area it 

 was found that weather conditions were not nearly so adverse as had been 

 forecast. However, the additional distance required to reach the reported 

 berg and to conduct a search so as to locate or establish positive evidence 

 of its absence was then beyond the safe endurance of either aircraft. As 

 has been previously stated, further consideration of all facts established 

 a measure of doubt as to the identity of the object reported as a berg. 



One flight was made on the 8th in an attempt to scout out the northern 

 edge of the banks east to Flemish Cap. It was necessary to abandon 

 the attempt after several hours, however, because of the extremely poor 

 visibihty conditions encountered. On the 9th, another flight was made 

 to scout out the same area. Again visibility was extremely poor and that 

 the flight was partially successful was due to the radar which functioned 

 excellently that day. On the 13th, an attempt was made to scout out 

 the area between the Tail of the Banks and Flemish Cap but was aban- 

 doned shortly after takeoff due to the poor visibility encountered. On 

 the 14th, one flight was made. The southernmost ice located was at 

 44°47' N., 46°15' W. Heavy rain showers and limited visibilities, how- 

 ever, were encountered in a large part of the area and much of the cover- 

 age depended upon radar detection and subsequent visual identification 

 of floating objects. On the 15th, one flight was made to scout out the 

 area along the northern slope of the banks as far to the east as Flemish 

 Cap and south to the 46th parallel. It was necessary to abandon the 

 flight shortly after takeoff, however, because of poor visibility. On the 

 18th, weather conditions were favorable except in the area in the vicinity 

 of Flemish Cap. On that day two flights were made and no bergs were 

 sighted in position to menace either track B or C, B being the effective 

 track until 1 July. 



Two flights were planned for the 19th. However, only one was made 

 on the 19th and the other on the 20th. The flight on the 19th covered 

 the area along the northern slope of the banks east to Flemish Cap. On 

 the 20th, the area along the eastern slope south to the Tail of the Banks 

 was covered, but only a small area of clear weather was found. On the 

 22d, two flights were made and the entire area along the eastern and 

 northeastern slope of the banks was covered. To summarize, 13 flights 

 were made during this period involving 100.8 hours of time in flight. 



Fiffh Cruise, Mendofa, 22 June to 3 July 1 948 



The Mendota departed from Argentia, Newfoundland, at 1538 G.c.t., 



24 



