ports unsolicited. A tabulation of the reports received for the entire 

 ice-patrol season is as follows : 



Total number of ships sending reports 125 



Number of ice reports 134 



Total number of ships sending ice reports 66 



Number of water temperatures 481 



Total number of ships sending water temperature 26 



Total number of ships asking for si)ecial reports 24 



(^f those ships sending reports 40 percent were British and 25 percent 

 were United States vessels. A total of 16 nationalities was repre- 

 sented by these reports. 



The importance of communications to the success of the Interna- 

 tional Service of Ice Observation and Ice Patrol cannot be over- 

 stressed. In the past, criticism and comment from maritime agencies 

 and vessels making use of this service has resulted in increased effi- 

 ciency and usefulness. Such comments should be addressed to the 

 Commandant, U. S. Coast Guard, Washington 25, D. C. 



ICE CONDITIONS IN 1949 



JANUARY 



On 30 January 1949, a Dutch aircraft reported a berg at 59°00' N., 

 36° 00' W. This berg came from the east coast of Greenland and pre- 

 sented little hazard to shipping along the North Atlantic tracks. No 

 other reports were received for January. 



FEBRUARY 



Drift ice was reported on 16 February extending from 52°00' N., 

 50°58' W., southeast to 50°45' W. Cape Kace Radio reported drift 

 ice from 48°43' N., 49°35' W., to 48°20' N., 49°20' W., on 23 Feb- 

 ruary. This was the first indication of ice moving into the vicinity 

 of the Grand Banks for the 1949 season. Thereafter sporadic reports 

 were received indicating a berg at 48°4r N., 49°42' W., on 24 Feb- 

 ruary, drift ice in the vicinity of 48°42' N., 53°05' W., on 25 February, 

 and a radar target (possible berg) at 45°22' N., 49°59' W., on 26 

 February. This tai'get was reported by an unknown vessel, but sub- 

 sequent investigation failed to confirm the presence of a berg. On 

 28 February, it was possible to send out two ice-observation aircraft 

 on the first flights of the season. The limit of light sludge ice and 

 pancake ice extended from 47°40' N., 52°18' W., to 48°13' N., 51°13' 

 W., to 49°15' N., 50°20' W. The information collected in February 

 was not sufficient to give any clear picture of ice movement. Few 

 bergs were rejjorted and it is estimated that none came south of 48° N. 



