9 



the commander, International Ice Patrol Force, ice patrol was dis- 

 <'ontinued for the season. 



The scientific program was limited this year, as in the last 8 years, 

 almost entirely to oceanographical investigations. The work of the 

 oceanographic vessel during the ice-patrol season consisted of periodic 

 dynamic surveys of the region of principal activity. (See fig. 1.) 

 Because of the long season four of these surveys were made this year, 

 instead of the usual three. (See figs. 45 to 48.) These charts are 

 used by the patrol vessel in laying out the scouting plan, determining 

 the areas to be searched, and m locating dangerous bergs after periods 

 of fog. Upon the termination of ice patrol for the season the General 

 Greene made a post-season cruise in the general region of the Labrador 

 Sea and Davis Strait to continue the long-term program of oceano- 

 graphic investigation and research in this area and also to observe ice 

 conditions on the Greenland, Baffin Land, and Labrador coasts. The 

 results of the work during the ice season and of the investigations 

 during the post-season cruise are discussed and analyzed in this bulletin 

 under Oceanography (p. 113) and a narrative account of the post- 

 season cruise may be found under Cruise Reports (p. 64). 



Medical advice by radio was given the S. S. Endicott, which had a 

 patient suffering from acute infection of the elbow glands. Treatment 

 was prescribed April 11 and on April 13 the patient was reported as 

 improving nicely. Also, on April 15, a member of the crew of the 

 French barkentine Capitaine Guynemer was taken on board for treat- 

 ment and was finally returned to France via commercial steamer. 



An intelligent conduct of the Patrol and its ultimate success are 

 wholly dependent upon the willing cooperation of the merchant 

 vessels using the North Atlantic lane routes, for whom this service 

 is maintained. It is a pleasure, each year, to express appreciation 

 for the whole-hearted and invaluable assistance of these vessels and 

 to urge upon them the realization that their own safety depends, in a 

 large measure, on their continued help. It is only when every 

 vessel is doing its part that the Ice Patrol is able to give, in return, 

 the best possible information and service. 



It is considered to be one of the duties of the Ice Patrol service to 

 recommend safe procedures for vessels to follow under the varying 

 ice conditions during the season and to suggest, from time to time, 

 that certain practices and their possible results be more thoroughly 

 thought through and their advantages and disadvantages be more 

 carefully weighed. It is felt that because of failure to count all the 

 risks the ship's master sometimes subjects his vessel to unnecessary 

 hazard. Apparently because of the scarcity of ice reports, in the last 

 half of May, south of latitude 45° N., a number of vessels, beginning 

 about June 1, bound to and from the United States began to experi- 

 ment with track C and modifications thereof which ran through, or 



