to have an equilibrium position near the 1,000-fathom contour. 

 This condition held to the north to between latitudes 55° N., and 

 56° N., and until the spring break-up. North of latitude 56° N., 

 sightings were insufficient to fix the outer limit. The ice fields were 

 much more extensive off the Labrador coast in the 1943 season 

 than in 1942. Data from years prior to 1942 are too meager to 

 justify comparison. 



HUDSON STRAIT AREA 



The ice sighting reports from Hudson Strait and adjacent waters 

 are given mostly in special Hudson Strait summaries appearing in 

 "Table of Ice Reports, Newfoundland Area." These summaries 

 cover the period of the break-up of ice from 30 May to 21 August, 

 Little can be given here that does not appear in the tables. Ice 

 conditions in this area were more severe than during the 1942 

 season. On 8 July, 1943, Ungava Bay was still closed by heavy ice 

 and as late as 27 July was navigable only with difficulty. In the 

 year 1942 all of the heavier ice had entirely disappeared from Hud- 

 son Strait and Ungava Bay by the 11th of July, a condition com- 

 parable to that of 21 August in 1943. 



One point may be emphasized here. In early June considerable 

 open water was reported in Hudson Strait and Ungava Bay, con- 

 ditions which might be taken to indicate an early opening date for 

 navigation. At this time, however, there were large areas of 

 almost solid sheet ice fast to land along the west coast of Ungava 

 Bay and along the south side of Hudson Strait. The ice in this 

 condition holds closely to rather definite limits. During the 

 break-up the ice detaches from the coast and moves with the wind, 

 and as it breaks into smaller pieces, quickly spreads to occupy a 

 much greater area and block channels formerly open. It may 

 refreeze with cold w^eather. This explains partly the apparent 

 increase in the amount of ice in Hudson Strait and Ungava Bay 

 that occurred during June. 



DAVIS STRAIT AND BAFFIN BAY AREA 



Three sighting reports only were received from the area in 

 Davis Strait north of Frobisher Bay and Baffin Bay. These are 

 given in the "Table of Ice Reports, Newfoundland Area" under 

 the dates of 22 February, 7 June, and 21 August. In February, 

 the "west ice" between latitudes 65° N., and 66° N., extended about 

 half way across Davis Strait from Baffin Land towards Greenland. 

 The eastern limit of the ice field was approximately the same at 

 about latitude 67° N., on 7 June, but the ice was broken. On 21 

 August mostly scattered field ice but with some close packed ice 

 was present along the Baffin Land coast between latitudes 63° N,, 

 and 66° N., with no further field ice sighted to latitude 67° N. 

 This area was navigable at that time, which is probably average. 



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