of very rapidly in the open ocean about the Grand Banks. Even the 

 l)ergs have a comparatively short life there. Each one of the latter 

 presents a special problem of melting, depending on its size, shape, 

 and solidity, as well as on the sort of weather and water that it 

 encounters. Along the northern edge of the Gulf Stream the accu- 

 mulated observations of the ice patrol show that the largest and 

 most resistant bergs can last only about two weeks. 



The thing that most hampers the patrol in its service of information 

 is the prevalence of fog in the ice-infested regions. Experience shows 

 that quick advantage must be taken of every spell of good weather 

 if anything approaching an efficient information system is to be 

 maintained. The critical areas just north of the southernmost 

 steamer lanes must be searched again and again for ice during the 

 course of the season. At night, and also when dense Grand Banks 

 fog closes in, the patrol vessels usually stop and drift. This procedure 

 not only insures that no bergs are passed unnoticed because of bad 

 visibility, but also conserves fuel, which permits higher speed cruising 

 when the weather is clear and bright. 



Much scientific work has been done in conjimction with the ice 

 patrol and much statistical data regarding the ice has been gathered 

 and published in the annual ice-patrol bulletins. A great deal more 

 is now known about the Labrador Current and the Gulf Stream in 

 the vicinity of the Grand Banks than was known when the Titanic 

 went down. There is still much work to be done before the great 

 variation in the severity of the ice seasons from year to year can be 

 fully explained, however, and before the final drift tracks of bergs 

 that are seen off the eastern edge of the Grand Banks can be predicted 

 with confidence. 



The international ice patrol for the season of 1929 was carried on by 

 the United States Coast Guard cutters Tampa and Modoc. The 

 Mojave acted as the stand-by vessel, but she was not called upon for 

 active duty on patrol. Commander Thomas M. MoUoy, in addition 

 to being in command of the Tampa, was commander, international 

 ice patrol. Commander Philip F. Roach was in command of the 

 Modoc. Lieut. Commander Noble G. Ricketts was detailed as ice 

 observation officer and remained at sea with two enlisted men as 

 assistants throughout the patrol season in order to aid the command- 

 ing officer of the vessel actually on duty in ice-patrol matters and to 

 keep a continuous and uniform record of the year's work for this 

 annual report. 



Halifax, Nova Scotia, was the base for fuel and supplies during the 

 ice season,. The Tampa and Modoc made alternate cruises of about 

 15 days each-iil the ice regions, this time being exclusive of the five 

 or six days occupied in going to and from the base. 



