ABSTRACT 



The authority for, mission and method of carr3nng out the mission 

 of the International Ice Patrol are described. 



The forces assigned to Commander, International Ice Patrol, for 

 the 1954 ice season are listed. 



Recommendations made by Commander, International Ice Patrol 

 in connection with the A^ortli Atlantic Track Agreement tracks are set 

 forth. 



The aerial ice observation conducted by the International Ice 

 Patrol and communications with shipping and certain agencies ashore 

 are described in detail. Tables of statistics concerning these opera- 

 tions are presented. 



Ice conditions during 1954 in the waters off Newfoundland are 

 portrayed. Ice reports received by the International Ice Patrol are 

 shown in tabular form and also by means of monthly ice charts. The 

 1954 ice season in the Grand Banks area was marked by a return to 

 fairly average berg conditions after three successive light ice years. 

 About 312 bergs drifted south of the 48tli parallel during the season as 

 compared with 404, the average annual number for the period 1900-53. 

 With respect to pack ice the season was briefer than normal, and the 

 pack did not reach south of the 47th parallel at any tune. In the 

 Gulf of St. Lawrence and St. Lawrence River the pack ice broke earlier 

 than usual. Except for the Strait of Belle Isle, all the gulf and river 

 routes were clear by 22 April. The Strait of Belle Isle was open to all 

 shipping on 22 June, although caution was advised because of a 

 scattering of bergs in the strait. 



The description of the berg distribution appearing under Ice Condi- 

 tions 1954, is supplemented in the section on oceanography m which 

 the surface circulation in the Grand Banks region has been discussed 

 on the basis of four dynamic topographic surveys made between 1 

 April and 2 July. 



The circulation in the upper 1,000 meters has been presented in 

 greater detail based on the consideration of the volume transport, 

 mean temperature, minimum temperature, and heat transport of the 

 Labrador Current found during 19 occupations of 8 selected sections 

 across that current. Tlie values found have been compared with 

 seasonal normals wdiere such normals are available. 



The temperature-salinity relationships characteristic of Labrador 

 Current water, mixed water, and Atlantic Current water found in the 



(v) 



