this almost total absence of bergs along the Avalon Peninsula re- 

 flected a similar disproportionate division between the two branches 

 of the Labrador Current. Rather, as previously stated, it is prob- 

 able that the bergs were abnormally displaced eastward of their 

 usual positions in the Labrador Current during the winter and 

 early spring off the coast of I^abrador. As winds are a most im- 

 portant factor in the control of ocean currents any unusual dis- 

 tribution of barometric pressure in the Labrador area also will 

 subsequently modify oceanic circulation patterns in the vicinity 

 of the eastern slope of the Grand Banks. It is probable, therefore, 

 that the unusual distribution of bergs during this season arose from 

 the direct effect of entering the area with a more than usual east- 

 erly spread, and an indirect effect of the modified currents in the 

 Grand Banks region in which the bergs completed their drifts. 



The total amount of field ice in the Newfoundland area was not 

 unusual nor was the St. Lawrence ice unusual. It is estimated 

 that a total of 430 bergs drifted south of latitude 48° N., during 

 1946. This compares with an average of 439 for the 47-year 

 period 1900-1946. With the advent of aerial ice observation a new 

 factor has entered the estimation of the number of bergs in the 

 area. Aerial observation permits a more nearly complete survey 

 of the area and probably some of the bergs that would otherwise 

 remain unobserved are reported. This is especially true of the 

 less frequented areas between established steamer lanes. This is 

 thought to more than balance the elimination of some of the dupli- 

 cations which result from several ship reports of the same berg. 

 It seems probable that the 47 year average of 439 is lower than 

 the actual average annual crop passing 48° N. During the season 

 of 1946 15 bergs drifted south of latitude 43° N., 5 in April, 9 in 

 May, and 1 in June. The most easterly reported berg position 

 was at 46°16' N., 39° 44' W., reported 7 July by the Fort Bedford: 

 the extreme southeasterly berg position was reported 27 June by 

 the Peebles at 40°54' N., 40°26' W.; and the most southwesterly 

 berg position was at 41° 07' N., 54°32' W., reported 25 April by 

 the Joel Harris. 



Except for ships which suflPered damage in field ice in far north- 

 ern waters the only known marine casualty which resulted from 

 ice was the Portuguese fishing schooner Commandante Tenreiro 

 which collided with an iceberg in a dense fog on 24 June in the 

 Grand Banks area. The vessel sank almost immediately but all 

 hands were saved by the schooner Bissaiaberreto. 



WEATHER 



Throughout the season the surface patrol vessel made and trans- 

 mitted to the United States Weather Bureau periodic meteorologi- 

 cal observations. Every three hours synoptic surface weather 



131 



