29 



and the observer's party were transferred to the Champlain and at 

 1830, March 24, 1937, the Champlain reheved the Mendota as ice 

 observation vessel. The Mendota set course for HaHfax, Nova Scotia, 

 arriving there at 1318, March 25, 1937. 



The following is a summary of ice and water temperature reports 

 received during the patrol: 



Number of ice reports received 47 



Number of water temperature reports received 922 



Number of vessels furnishing ice reports _ 12 



Number of vessels furnishing water temperature reports 9(5 



Number of vessels furnished special information 12. 



FOURTH CRUISE, "CHAMPLAIN," MARCH 24 TO APRIL 5, 1937 



The Champlain sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, at 0555, March 21, 

 1937 to relieve the Mendota as ice observation vessel. Enroute to the 

 relieving point on March 22, west northwest gales were encountered 

 wliich blew force 10, whole gale, for 17 hours. At 1945 March 22, 

 the Champlain headed for latitude 42°22' N., longitude 59°38' w' 

 where the steamer Bjirkli was reported in distress. Little headway 

 could be made in whole gale and mountainous seas and as the Chelan 

 had the situation in hand and was making progress the Champlain 

 hove to at 2300 that night, keeping, however, in close touch with 

 distress work. Because of the continued gale force wind it was 

 thought advisable to effect relief in lee of Sable Island, so durino- 

 March 23 and 24 the Champlain made what speed she could toward 

 that place arriving there at 1700 March 24. Lt. G. Van A. Graves 

 ice observation officer, and the observer's party reported aboard and 

 at 1830 the Champlain relieved the Mendota as ice observation vessel 

 Course was set for the Tail of the Banks and on March 26, 27 and 

 28 the Champlain searched around the Tail and up the eastern 'edge 

 of the Banks, just outside the 100-fathom curve, to latitude 46°50' N. 

 The search was continued the next day as far as latitude 48°10' N 

 where heavy field ice was encountered. The southern and eastern 

 hmits of tins ice were determined during the afternoon of March 29 

 and the next day. The ice extended from latitude 48°03' N., longi- 

 tude 49° W., in a general east southeast direction for 100 miles and 

 Its limits to the north could not be seen. This mass of ice contained 

 about 10 large bergs and completely blocked Canadian track F and 

 mil probably drift across track E. The next day, March 31, the 

 Champlain scouted to the south 24 miles east of the courses run 

 lorthward during the preceeding 2 days. Tliis search extended south 

 to latitude 45° N. No ice was sighted in the area. 



Durmg the remainder of the patrol, April 1, 2, 3, and 4, the area 

 mounded by latitudes 45° N., and 47° N., and longitudes 50°30' W 

 md 52° W., was scouted out. This area which at the end of last cruise 



