27 



the first time in several years it has been necessary to use this route. 

 Tlie ice patrol was prolonged until July 22 by a berg drifting south 

 of the Tail of the Banks to latitude 41°45' N., and was terminated on 

 that date, for the season, with the disappearance of all bergs south of 

 latitude 48° N. 



It is estimated that 664 bergs drifted south of latitude 48° N. 

 during the 1938 season, which compares well with the forecast num- 

 ber of 530 bergs south of that latitude. The average number of 

 bergs is 423; so both the actual count and the forecast for the year 

 showed a heavier than normal ice season. Ten bergs drifted south of 

 Tail of the Banks (latitude 43° N.), three in April, none in May, 6 in 

 June, and one in July. No vessel struck an iceberg during this 

 season, but on March 16, 1938, a vessel was beset in the field ice in 

 latitude 47°35' N., longitude 51°45' W., and she was assisted by the 

 Northern Banger of St. John's, Newfoundland. 



COMMUNICATIONS 



The radio procedure of the Ice Patrol has become so standardized 

 that it requires little comment except to repeat that the fullest coop- 

 eration of all vessels in the North Atlantic is necessary in order that 

 the Ice Patrol give a service of the highest order. The vital im- 

 portance of radio to the success of the patrol need not be stressed. 

 Suggestions and criticisms are always welcomed. 



During the 1938 patrol, because of the vast improvement in radio- 

 telegraphy, the regular ice broadcasts (see schedule below) were 

 transmitted using numeral groups instead of words in designating the 

 latitude and longitude of berg positions. This reduced the number 

 of characters necessary to describe one berg to a little less than one 

 third. Thus as previously sent a sample berg position required 

 49 characters while in numerals it requires only 14. This change is 

 aimed at the most often voiced criticism of the Ice Patrol; the some- 

 times excessive length of the ice broadcasts. Reports on this new 

 procedure were so favorable that it will be continued. 



Opportunity is here taken to thank the Canadian radio stations 

 for their willing and helpful assistance during the past season. The 

 whole-hearted cooperation of the entire maritime world is gratefully 

 acknowledged, for without the aid of every ship and every station 

 with whom we can communicate the Ice Patrol would be, indeed, a 

 blind and inefficient source of information. 



The following daily schedules were maintained throughout the 

 period of patrol, without serious interruption. In addition, contact 

 was made with Coast Guard Radio Washington (NMH), every 2 

 bours. All times are Greenwich civil time. 



