ICE CONDITIONS, ICE PATROL AREA, 1940 



By W. P. Hawley 



The 1940 season was the lightest ice year on record (1900-1940); 

 only two bergs drifting south of latitude 48° N. (Reports 43 and 45). 

 No field ice was reported along tracks E and F although shipping 

 experienced the usual amount of field ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence 

 and along the Nova Scotian shelf. Arrangements were made to 

 receive complete reports of ice conditions in the Grand Banks area this 

 year. 



ICE OBSERVATION CRUISE, "CHELAN," MAY 12-JUNE 2 



In accordance with instructions from Coast Guard Headquarters, 

 the Chelan sailed from Boston, Mass. at 1005 on May 12, 1940, on an 

 ice observation cruise in the vicinity of the Grand Banks of Newfound- 

 land and northward to the Straits of Belleisle in the interests of 

 International Ice Patrol. 



Moderate to strong northwesterly breezes prevailed on the eastward 

 run. The Ice Patrol area was entered on May 15 and all vessels were 

 informed of our presence by regular Ice Patrol broadcasts. The ships 

 free to do so were requested to report ice sighted and their water 

 temperatures, position, course, and speed every 4 hours. 



The eastern branch of the Labrador Current was searched from 

 latitude 41°45' N., longitude 51°34' W., northward to the Straits of 

 BeUeisle. On the return, sections were rmi off the east coast of 

 Newfoundland as shown on the track chart. (See fig. 1 .) Insufficient 

 water temperature reports were received to construct a complete sur- 

 face isotherm chart. (See fig. 2.) 



The scouting program was finished on May 30, 1940. On that date 

 the General Greene delivered the current map just completed. The 

 Chelan then set course for Boston, Mass., arriving there at 11 :26 p. m., 

 June 2, 1940. 



Only one iceberg (drydock type that had recently calved two large 

 growlers) was found in the Ice Patrol area south of latitude 48° N., 

 and this in latitude 47°42' N., longitude 50°57' W. This berg showed 

 very little drift over a period of 24 hours. Several bergs were sighted 

 aground in the vicinity of Belle Isle and scattered along the east coast 

 of Newfoundland as far south as latitude 50°23' N., longitude 55°23' 

 W., with a stray berg aground near Stmking Island. One berg was 

 found offshore in latitude 51°45' N., longitude 54°16' W. Throughout 



(1) 



