PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY OF THE GRAND BANKS REGION 

 AND THE LABRADOR SEA IN I960' 



by Floyd M. Soule, Peter A. Morrill, and Alfred P. Franceschetti (U.S. Coast Guard) 



The U.S.C.G.C. Evergreen again served as the oceaiiot>ra])liie ves- 

 sel of the International Ice Patrol for 1960. No marked aUerations 

 affecting the oceanographic work were made in the vessel since the 

 1959 season. 



The Evergreen departed Argent ia, Newfoundland, on 1 Api'il to 

 conduct the fh'st survey of the 1960 season. In addition to covering 

 the southern and eastern slopes of the Grand Banks, this survey ex- 

 tended south to latitude 37°30' N., in order to take stations in con- 

 junction with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's research 

 vessels, Chain, Atlantis, and frairford on tlie Gulf Stream Survey, 

 1960, under the direction of Mr. F. ('. Fuglister. A total of 68 sta- 

 tions were taken during the first survey of which the first 31 were a 

 part of Gulf Stream, 1960. Although original plans called for a two 

 cast station to the bottom, it was found that the winch would over- 

 heat if more than 4,000 meters of wire were let out and consequently 

 4,000 meters was set as the maximum station depth. The survey pro- 

 ceeded without nuijor iiiteirui)tion and was completed at station 7351 

 on 17 April and the Evergreen returned to Argentia. 



The second survey was mad<' in two phases. The first phase con- 

 sisted of 70 stations taken in a counterclockwise direction on tlie east- 

 ern and northeastern slopes of tlie Grand Banks. Altiiough lieavy 

 weathci- caused minor (U'lays, the first pliase was com])let(Ml on May 

 at station 7421. Due to an erratic functioning loraii I'cceivei', the 

 Evergreen returned to Argentia for repairs. After a 1-day stay. Ever- 

 green departed on the second phase of tlie survey which was to make a 

 quantitative evaluation of the wind eft'ect on iceberg movement. Three 

 days were lost in trying to locate an iceberg that was both free from 

 tield ice and not aground. On the late evening of 16 May, a drydock 

 type iceberg, 85 feet high and 405 feet long was located in the Lahfador 

 Gurrent. Although heavy fog persisted for 95 percent of the observa- 

 tion period and the winds wttc light, the preliminary evaluation is be- 

 lieved to be a success. In all, eight parachute drogues were launched 

 during the 4 days of observations. 



The third oceanographic survey consisted solely of an ()ccui)ation of 

 the Bonavista triangle. The survey commenced at the northern corner 

 of the triangle on 3 June and proceeded in a counterclockwise direction 

 without interruption. At station 7451 on 6 June, the survey was com- 



' To be reprinted as Contribution No. 1160 in tlie Collected Reprints of the Woods Hole Oceanographic 

 Institution. 



31 



