made at 15 words per minute and the second transmission at 25 



CRUISE SUMMARIES 



First Cruise, "Modoc," 23 March to 3 April, 1946 



The Modoc departed from Argentia, Newfoundland, at 1200, on 

 23 March 1946, to establish the continuous surface vessel patrol 

 in the Grand Banks region. The following daj^ the Modoc arrived 

 in the patrol area and at 1530 G. c. t. inaugurated the 1946 surface 

 patrol. This cruise was confined to the area between 43° and 45° 

 N., along the eastern edge of the Grand Banks. The main body of 

 bergs were distributed north of latitude 45° N., but there were 

 several bergs widely dispersed through the area from that latitude 

 south to about 43°30' N. 



During the period of this cruise the weather was affected by the 

 passage of three cyclonic disturbances. The first passed south 

 of the ship, the weak sections of the warm front of the second 

 disturbance passed the area, and the third storm area was patterned 

 after the first. Winds were generally westerly and northwesterly 

 except during the approaches of the low pressure area, when the 

 winds became southerly. The wind force was moderate to strong 

 and reached gale proportions after passage of the first and third 

 cyclonic disturbances. Rain, snow, and fog accompanied the fall 

 in pressure as the storms approached. Seas were moderate to 

 rough and became heavy for a few hours after passage of the first 

 storm. Swells were moderate or less throughout the cruise. Tem- 

 peratures ranged from 30° to 33° F. during most of the cruise 

 with the exception of the period of the warm front passage when 

 the temperature reached a high of 53° F. 



At 1415 G. c. t., 3 April 1946, the Modoc was relieved by the 

 Tampa at 45° 03' N., 49° 30' W. The Modoc then set course for 

 Argentia, Newfoundland, arriving there on 4 April 1946. 



The following is a summary of water temperature, ice, and ob- 

 struction reports received during this cruise: 



Number of ice reports received 34 



Number of vessels furnishing ice reports - 10 



Number of water-temperature reports received 376 



Number of vessels furnishing water-temperature reports , . 86 



Number of obstruction reports received 



Number of vessels furnished special information 1 



During the period of this cruise surface patrol vessel activity 

 was supplemented by aerial ice observation flights as follows : On 



133 



