INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL. 1951 



In 1951, Capt. Garrett Van A. Graves, U. S. C. G., was Com- 

 mander, International Ice Patrol. Commander David W. Sin- 

 clair, U. S. C. G., was the senior aviator in charge of ice patrol 

 aircraft and Lt. (jg) Sam Pisicchio, U. S. C. G., served in the 

 capacity of Ice Patrol Officer. Forces assigned were two PBIG 

 flying fortresses; one oceanographic vessel, the U. S. C. G. C. 

 Evergreen; and two ice patrol vessels, the cutters Acushnet and 

 Androscoggin. Due to the lack of ice, the Acushnet and Andros- 

 coggin remained on stand-by status at their home ports during 

 late winter and were released outright when it became evident 

 that their services would not be required during the 1951 season. 

 The ice patrol staff and office, including Coast Guard Radio Sta- 

 tion Argentia (NIK) were based at Argentia, Newfoundland. 

 This was the hub for the collection, evaluation, and dissemination 

 of ice information received from all sources. 



The ice patrol season, which began with the arrival of the first 

 PBIG at Argentia on February 14, and ended on May 24, was one 

 of the shortest in history. Regular ice messages to the U. S. 

 Hydrographic Office, Washington, were commenced on March 6; 

 scheduled ice broadcasts from Coast Guard Radio Argentia (NIK) 

 to shipping were inaugurated on March 13 and all ships traversing 

 the ice patrol area were requested to furnish sea water tempera- 

 tures and weather conditions to NIK every 4 hours along with any 

 ice sighted. It is pointed out that the commencement of these 

 regular ice broadcasts was not dictated by the existing ice condi- 

 tions which in no way threatened the trans-Atlantic steamer 

 lanes. Commander, International Ice Patrol, did feel, however, 

 that even though the information reported was generally negative, 

 it would reduce the requests for special information which had 

 already begun to assume considerable proportions. 



At no time during the season did there exist even a remote 

 threat to the established steamer tracks and in early April, Com- 

 mander, International Ice Patrol submitted a recommendation to 

 the North Atlantic Track Agreement Authority that shipping re- 

 main on track C instead of effecting the scheduled seasonal shift 

 to track B on April 11. No action was taken on this recommenda- 

 tion. 



As a result of aerial scouting on May 2, track G via the Strait 

 of Belle Isle was considered navigable and open to shipping. This 



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