from Hudson Strait entrance to just north of the Grand Banks. 

 Wind conditions averaged slightly favorable for this group of bergs. 



4. Berg drift rates were determined on the basis of berg counts 

 and are averages for groups. It was possible to trace a few indi- 

 vidual bergs on the basis of their large size and distinctive shape. It 

 is noteworthy that the many smaller bergs traveled at a faster average 

 rate than the individual large bergs. This is explained by the fact 

 that the large bergs, whose draft may exceed 600 feet, are bound to 

 spend greater periods of time aground during the journey south. A 

 considerable portion of the Labrador Current flows over the Con- 

 tinental Shelf inside the 100-fathom curve. This factor is believed 

 most significant in delaying southward transport of the larger icebergs. 



5. Of the estimated 800 bergs from Hudson Strait entrance in 

 early November 1962, only 25, or 3 percent, drifted south of 48° N. 



6. Bergs north of Cape Dyer in early November were not a factor 

 in the 1963 season as they deteriorated prior to reaching the Grand 

 Banks. The average winds for this group of bergs were estimated 

 to be unfavorable from early November to June. 



Table VI has detailed berg statistics for 1963. Table VII lists 

 average monthly wind conditions for the period preceding and during 

 the 1963 ice season. 



CONCLUSIONS 



The following conclusions are based on information obtained from 

 the 1963 iceberg surveys, information on icebergs accumulated over 

 the years, and assumptions discussed earlier in this section. 



1 . The Grand Banks iceberg crop for the coming year can be located 

 and assessed up to a few months prior to the ice season. In early 

 November the Grand Banks berg potential for the coming ice season 

 is mostly located from the vicinity of Hudson Strait entrance to Cape 

 Christian, Baffin Island, assuming normal meteorological and oceano- 

 graphic conditions during the next 6 or 7 months. Bergs south of 

 Cape Chidley in early November will ordinarily deteriorate prior to 

 reaching the Grand Banks. 



2. Bergs must ordinarily be south of Cape Chidley, Labrador, by 

 mid-March to successfully survive to the Grand Banks. 



3. The average travel time of the 1962 berg crop from Hudson 

 Strait to the Grand Banks was an estimated 4 months. Surface winds 

 averaged neutral for southern berg drift during the travel period. The 

 average travel time for the 1963 berg crop is somewhat ambiguous, as 

 it is believed that almost the entire first half of the berg crop was 

 driven out of the Labrador Current and out to sea between northern 

 Labrador and Greenland. A few bergs located near Hudson Strait 

 entrance in mid-January arrived at the Grand Banks in mid-April 

 under favorable winds for a traveltime of 3 months. Another group 

 located near Hudson Strait entrance in mid-March arrived north of 



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