a visual and radar search of the area. Weather conditions did not 

 permit aerial search until the 6th, but on that date and again on 

 the 8th, an effective aerial reconnaissance of the area of antici- 

 pated drift was obtained. By the evening of the 8th the coverage 

 obtained by plane and ship v^as believed to be complete, and it v^as 

 concluded that the berg had either melted or that its drift had been 

 eastward to carry the berg southeastward of track B to a position 

 beyond menace to that track. If such were the case, its further dura- 

 tion in the warmer waters would be very brief. 



Only a few scattered bergs crossed the 48th parallel at the eastern 

 edge of the banks during the month, and of these only one is known 

 to have drifted past 45° N. 



On the 2d an attempt was miade, using two planes, to scout out 

 the eastern slope of the banks and to relocate those bergs reported 

 the 30th and 31st of May, but the actual coverage obtained was in- 

 complete and small because of limited visibility encountered and the 

 early recall of both aircraft due to threatening terminal weather. 

 Bergs at 47°11' N. and at 47°37' N., each within a few miles of the 

 100-fathom curve, were the only ice sighted in the offshore area. 

 Another two bergs were reported on the 2d near 47°45' N., 47°48' W. 

 A berg was reported on the 5th about 15 miles east-southeast of the 

 above position and one was reported on the 6th at 46°25' N., 48°40' 

 W. On the 8th a search was made of the area from the slope of the 

 banks between 45°30' N. and 47°10' N., east-northeast to Flemish 

 Cap, but the visibility in parts of this area was limited and the only 

 ice sighted was a group of four small growlers scattered just sea- 

 ward of the 100-fathom curve near latitude 46°30' N. 



Further aerial reconnaissance was next attempted on the 12th, 

 but again observing conditions v/ere poor and the completeness of 

 the coverage was questionable, being dependent largely upon radar. 

 Much better conditions were experienced on the 19th and almost 

 complete coverage was obtained of an area up to 120 miles seaward 

 of the 100-fathom curve from the 48th parallel south to a line from 

 46° N., 49° W., to Flemish Cap. A berg at 47°05' N., 48°00' W.^ was 

 the only ice sighted in this area. Again on the 23d the area was 

 searched with a prevailing visibility generally exceeding 15 miles 

 and again the coverage was considered to be nearly 100 percent. 

 Only one berg was sighted and this is believed to have been the same 

 berg as had been sighted on the 19th, although the 4-day southerly 

 drift was approximately 115 miles, or 29 miles per day. This berg 

 was of sufficient size to endure for a considerable period of time and, 

 should the apparent rapid drift continue, would soon menace track 

 C, which normally becomes effective the first of July, and might 

 possibly reach track B. Since frequent aerial coverage cannot be 

 depended upon at this season of the year, because of the prevalence 

 of fog and low stratus, the Menclota, then in Argentia, was dis- 



22 



