ice of consequence was reported until 1 February, considerable 

 winter cooling of the Newfoundland waters doubtless occurred 

 during January and perhaps some light ice was formed locally 

 in sheltered positions. In early February, in the wake of a con- 

 tinental storm of severe intensity accompanied by low temperatures, 

 considerable local ice was formed inshore south to Cape Race. 

 North of the Avalon Peninsula a large ice field with pans about 

 10 inches thick was reported on 1 February as extending offshore 

 to between longitudes 50° W., and 51° W., at latitude 49° N. Light 

 ice, mostly slush and slob, was reported from time to time during 

 the month south to Cape Race. This ice was too light any time 

 during February to endanger ships bound for St. John's. Offshore 

 the southern fringes of somewhat heavier ice, an extension of the 

 Labrador field, drifted south in the eastern branch of the Labrador 

 Current to a southeast corner position near latitude 48°30' N., 

 longitude 49° W. From this position the outer edge followed a 

 northerly course to the 1000-fathom curve at about latitude 50° N., 

 longitude 49° W., and then appeared to follow that contour on north. 

 The inner edge was indefinite due to confusion of this ice with ice 

 formed locally along the coast. Two bergs were reported during 

 February, one off Twillingate, Notre Dame Bay, on the 13th, and 

 the other at latitude 51° 57' N., longitude 49° 10' W., on the 26th. 

 In March the field ice pushing down the offshore branch of the 

 Labrador Current became heavier and the fields more extensive. 

 The eastern edge of main field north of latitude 49° N., followed 

 rather closely the 1,000-fathom contour being temporarily dis- 

 placed east or west depending on the direction of the wind. The 

 ice inshore north of Cape Freels closed to give almost solid cover- 

 age. On 21 March the offshore ice extended in a close packed 

 tongue, with cakes u]) to 6 feet in thickness, down the core of the 

 Labrador Current to a southeast corner at position latitude 

 47°22' N., longitude 47°23' W. This position marked the greatest 

 extension of the main field during the entire season. Scattered 

 ice extended east and south of this limit for probably 20 miles at 

 that time. This southeast corner of the pack is a critical spot, as 

 the current can carry ice very rapidly to the south, and winds 

 scatter it quickly to the east. The inshore edge of the heavy pack 

 ice tended from the southeast corner towards Cape Freels leaving 

 a deceptive hollow from the coast of the Avalon Peninsula north- 

 east to the field. Vessels could at times get through the ice north 

 of the corner, but there was seldom any assurance that they could, 

 and those trying it more often than not lost time or were damaged, 

 sometimes both, in the attempt. Two vessels were beset in this 

 pack in March, one at latitude 52°00' N., longitude 50°25' W., on 

 the 15th, and the other at latitude 49°09' N., longitude 50°18' W., 

 on the 22d, but both worked clear. 



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