FOREWORD 



The London Convention of 1914, the recommendation of which 

 paved the way for the United States to undertake the direct oper- 

 ation of a patrol of the ice regions of the North Atlantic, also went 

 on record in favor of a scientific program and the publication annu- 

 ally of a report of the patrol work. In accordance with the latter 

 feature a bulletin has been pubUshed after the expiration of each 

 one of the patrols since 1913.^ The bulletin herewith follows the 

 customary arrangement of the subject matter of those appearing 

 in former years. First comes the general program and statement 

 of policies which have in the past 13 years become pretty well estab- 

 lished. Then follows a narrative of the events which occurred during 

 a total of the seven cruises that made up the patrol for 1926. A 

 brief account is given of the radio operations for the season, a subject 

 which obviously is a vital one when estimating the patrol's efficiency. 

 The oceanographic work this season was featured by the application 

 of new and progressive methods ^ to map the currents in the so-called 



critical area around the Tail of the Grand Banks. 



6 



1 Copies are obtainable free of charge from Commandant, U. S. Coast Guard, Washington, D. C. 



' Smith, Edward H.: "A Practical Method for Determining Ocean Currents." U. S. Treas. Dept. Bull. 



No. 1-1. 



(V) 



