74 



Because of its limited location and now well-known tendencies the 

 Labrador current between the steamer lanes could be fairly easily 

 searched for ice by a one-ship-on-duty patrol if good visibility nor- 

 mally prevailed. Unfortunately such is not the case. The cold water 

 about the Banks so projects into the warm ocean that winds from 

 southwest through south to northeast bring warm air to the Labrador 

 current and dense low fogs are produced. The thick weather prevails 

 over the critical blind area such a high percentage of the time during 

 the ice season that great difficulties in successful scouting are expe- 

 rienced. The cold current can not be covered as it really ought to be 

 covered by the patrol. Sometimes the bergs once found are lost dur- 

 ing fog and storms and are not located again before they melt entirely. 



Therefore, notwithstanding the accumulated experience of the ice 

 patrol and all the advanced scientific methods that have been used, 

 trans-Atlantic traffic even on the southernmost A and B lanes should 

 not depend blindly on the patrol for safety. On the northern lanes 

 the ships fully expect to meet ice at any time when near the Grand 

 Banks, so they are usually quite cautious. The ships on the south- 

 ern tracks should follow their example during times of fog and dark- 

 ness. The ice patrol with the information and equipment on hand 

 does all that it is possible for it to do toward locating and keeping 

 track of the ice so that safety along the southern lanes may be assured. 

 In closing this report, however, it is deemed best to sound a note of 

 warning. Shipping is urged to realize the physical limitations of the 

 patrol in its struggle with the obstacles of nature. Steamship com- 

 panies and captains are requested not to let recent comparative free- 

 dom from disaster to lull them into a false sense of security. They 

 must do their part to insure safety while crossing the probable ice 

 area by exercising sound judgement, reducing speed, and being cau- 

 tious during all times of low visibility, even when the patrol's broad- 

 casts indicate that they are well clear of all known ice. 



