reaching the Tail. According to a theory by Smith (see Bulletin 30 in 

 this series) there is considerable stranding of bergs from source to 

 the Grand Banks caused by the coriolis force deflecting bergs moving 

 in the current to the right or toward the coast. While this may be a 

 factor, there is no evidence as yet that it is significant However, for 

 the hypothetical case of a current system and no winds, the coriolis 

 force might be significant when considered over the long berg travel 

 time. Wind is a force which continually moves bergs about in or out of 

 the axis of the current system, sometimes being helpful in moving them 

 toward the Grand Banks and sometimes being unhelpful by causing 

 temporary grounding, trapping, or permanent removal from the cur- 

 rent system. At any rate, wind is a factor preventing bergs from 

 getting maximum benefit of the permanent currents. Yet wind is also 

 a factor in freeing the larger bergs from strandings in the shoaler 

 waters of the continental shelf. By generating wind waves and swells, 

 wind is a most important force in the destruction of icebergs and sea 

 ice. The absence of wind would permit bergs to survive considerably 

 longer. Thus it is concluded that, miless the coriolis force on bergs is 

 significant, the current system alone could deliver bergs to the Grand 

 Banks. Since winds do exist, they must be generally favorable for 

 berg drift toward the Grand Banks during the winter and spring 

 months in order for bergs to reach the shipping lanes. 



There is somewhat of a snowball effect of winter weather along 

 the Baffin Island, Labrador, and Newfoundland east coasts on the 

 delivery of bergs to the Grand Banks. Pressure patterns in this area 

 that are favorable for berg drift toward the Grand Banks must pro- 

 duce generally northwesterly winds. These winds are usually caused 

 by the frequent outbreaks of very cold polar air masses in this area 

 during winter. The greater the amount of northwesterly winds, the 

 greater the freezing degree days, the greater amount of pack ice, and 

 the colder the water. Greater amounts and thicker pack ice will be 

 transported toward the Grand Banks. It is a fact that bergs are 

 practically preserved in pack ice. They come down virtually intact 

 in shape and size from the north once enveloped by the pack ice. 

 There is no significant deterioration of bergs in close pack ice. Also 

 predominant northwesterlies undoubtedly speed up the current sys- 

 tem. Finally, colder winter temperatures along the berg route means 

 colder Labrador Current water arriving at the Grand Banks during 

 the ice season resulting in a colder berg environment. All this adds 

 up to favorable conditions for bergs drifting toward and surviving 

 to the shipping lanes on the Grand Banks. On the other hand, winds 

 predominantly from the opposite quadrant, or southeasterlies, during 

 the winter along the berg route and unfavorable for berg drift toward 

 the Grand Banks will cause the same factors to adversely affect the 

 berg crop's chances for survival to the Grand Banks. 



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