of ice to the eastward and practically none were received in October, 

 November, and December. 



February was notable for tlie number of bergs reported within a 

 200-mile radius of 55°00' N., 40°00' W., and especially for the report 

 of 22 bergs and numerous growlers between 58°17' N., 38°08' W., and 

 57°08' N., 39°28' W., on 6 February. The presence of bergs in this 

 area has not been unknowm and although the amount of data available 

 is not sufficient to allow any comparisons with average conditions, the 

 fact that these reports were received argues that mariners traversing 

 the area felt that these conditions were abnormal. Average pressure 

 distributions for the months of January and February 1950 indicated 

 winds in the area from the west and northwest. Also, the postseason 

 oceanographic investigations in 1949 showed that the Irminger Cur- 

 rent was not present in the vicinity of Cape Farewell. The combina- 

 tion of westerly winds with this current condition would tend to carry 

 bergs traveling in the East Greenland Current to positions unusually 

 far south of Cape Farewell. 



In a given year, storis normally arrives off Cape Farewell in January 

 and then spreads slowly westward. The month of May is usually the 

 month when storis is present on the southwest coast of Greenland in 

 the greatest amounts. One report on 4 April reported storis on the 

 southwest coast. The storis extended along the coast from Cape Fare- 

 well to Arsuk Fjord with a maximum width of 90 miles. Between the 

 storis and the coast there was a clear channel 3 to 5 miles in width. On 

 the 1st of June storis was reported in 60°14' N., 50°28' W., and lacking 

 any reports to the contrary it is presumed that this was the maximum 

 seaward extension of storis in the area for 1950. The U. S. C. G. C. 

 Evergreen reached the vicinity of Cape Farewell 5 August on the post- 

 season oceanographic cruise but encountered no storis. 



West ice usually approaches the west coast of Greenland in about 

 latitude 66° N., during the winter. Rarely has it been reported south 

 of this latitude. However, on 10 February the U. S. S. Redbud 

 observed west ice from 63°10' N., to 63°30' N., along the meridian 

 52°20' W. Danish authorities at Godthaab had no knowledge of west 

 ice ever reaching this latitude. Single reports do not form a solid basis 

 for any conclusions but the unusual current conditions coupled with 

 the average westerly and northwesterly winds for Januar}^ and 

 February previously mentioned as carrying bergs southeast of Cape 

 Farewell into steamer lanes were possibly responsible for west ice 

 appearing as far south as 63°10' N. 



COMMUNICATIONS 



Collection and dissemination of ice information, as previously 

 mentioned, are vital functions of ice patrol work and the effectiveness 

 of these two functions is dependent upon the effectiveness of radio 



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