THE INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL 

 1928 



The international ice patrol for the season of 1928 was carried out 

 by the United States Coast Guard cutters Modoc and Mojave, with 

 the Tampa acting as the stand-by vessel. Commander William 

 H. Munter, in addition to being in command of the Modoc, was also 

 in command of the patrol, as in 1927. Commander Cecil M. Gabbett 

 was in command of the Mojave. Lieut. Noble G. Ricketts was detailed 

 as scientific observer and remained at sea with two enlisted men as 

 assistants throughout the patrol season, aiding the commanding officer 

 of the vessel actually on patrol and keeping a continuous and uniform 

 record of the patrol work for this annual report. Halifax, Nova 

 Scotia, was the base for fuel and other supplies during the ice season. 

 The Mojave and Modoc made alternate cruises of about 15 days each 

 in the ice regions, the 15 days being exclusive of the 5 or 6 days 

 occupied in going to and from base. 



The duties and scientific work carried on bj" the patrol were, in 

 general, similar to the practice during previous ice-patrol seasons. 

 The objects of the patrol were laid down in the instructions issued by 

 Coast Guard headquarters on February 29, 1928, to the commanding 

 officers of the patrol vessels. 



According to the orders the primary object was to locate by scouting 

 and radio information the icebergs nearest to and menacing the 

 North Atlantic lane routes, and to determine the southerly, easterly, 

 and westerly limits of this ice by keeping in touch with it as it moved 

 southward. Four radio broadcasts were to be sent out daily giving 

 the whereabouts of all known ice in the vicinitj'' of the steamer lanes. 

 In addition to giving the location, the probable drift of the known 

 ice was indicated when possible. Special messages were drafted and 

 sent to any ship that inquired for special information relative to ice 

 conditions, routes, weather, or similar matters. The successive 

 positions of the v/ater temperature and weather reports of the liners 

 and other vessels were carefull}'- watched, and whenever a ship was 

 observed to be following a course leading toward danger the master 

 was so advised, and routes or suitable precautions were suggested. 



The secondary object of the patrol was to make scientific observa- 

 tions of weather, ice, and oceanic conditions. This work was imposed 

 upon the ice patrol at its beginning in order that a greater knowledge 

 might be had of the area about the Grand Banks, with special regard 

 to the movement of ice. It is obvious that when more facts are 

 known about the ice and its behavior, and the causes that lie back of 



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