46 



A growler 40 feet long and 10 feet liigli was reported on March 16 in 

 latitude 44°22' N., longitude 48°40' W. This piece of ice was large 

 enough to be dangerous and just small enough to be hard to see at 

 night, so the Tahoe searched thoroughly on March 17 and 18 an area 

 extending south to latitude 43° 15' N., and 42 miles east of the 

 100-fathom curve in an effort to locate this growler. It was not 

 found. During the afternoon of the 18th the Tahoe returned north- 

 ward just outside the 100-fathom curve following the axis of the 

 Labrador Current. Close-packed field ice containing numerous 

 large growlers and heavy dangerous pieces was found in latitude 

 45°43' N., longitude 48°12' W., extending northeast as far as could 

 be seen. Five growlers were located just south of this ice and one 

 good-sized berg in the field in latitude 45°45' N., longitude 47°53' W. 

 The 19th was spent trying to relocate bergs and growlers sighted and 

 reported on the 16tli and 17th just outside the 1,000-fathom curve in 

 vicinity latitude 45° N. Only one small growler was found in lati- 

 tude 44°57' N., longitude 48°12' W. The search, however, was 

 inconclusive because of low visibility, never over 5 miles. 



Dense fog made scouting impossible throughout the day of March 

 20 but on the morning of the 21st the Tahoe steamed southward mak- 

 ing what speed was possible through dense fog, clearing oidy occa- 

 sionally, in order to locate two bergs reported in latitude 43°45' N., 

 longitude 49°31' W., and one berg in latitude 43°50' N., longitude 

 48°45' W. No scouting could be done this day so the Tahoe stopped 

 at dark and drifted in vicinity of the reported position of the eastern- 

 most of these bergs for the night. The next day, at daybreak, with 

 excellent visibility the Tahoe ran through the reported position and 

 searched over all possible drift tracks of this berg. No ice was sighted. 

 With this search concluded the Tahoe ran west for the position of the 

 two bergs reported on the edge of the Banks in latitude 43°50' N. 

 Unfortunately southeasterly winds brought rain and fog over the area 

 before these bergs could be relocated. Although it seems defuiitely 

 established that the berg reported in latitude 43°50' N., longitude 

 48°45' W., was not in that position, a thorough search of the whole 

 area south of latitude 44° N., will be necessary before drawing any 

 conclusions as to the fate of this particular berg or to general condi- 

 tions in this critical region. 



At 1130, March 22, the Tahoe headed west for the reheving point. 

 The Pontchartrain was met in latitude 43°11' N., longitude 52°40' W. 

 A boat was lowered and Lt. G. Van A. Graves, ice-observation officer, 

 and the observer's party were transferred to the Pontchartrain and 

 at 2130, March 22, 1938, the Pontchartrain relieved the Tahoe as ice- 

 observation vessel. The Tahoe set course for Halifax, Nova Scotia, 

 arriving there at 1900, March 24, 1938. 



