59 



An attempt was made in the evening watch of the 13th to maintain 

 contact in thick fog with the last-mentioned berg. There was a 

 moderate breeze blowing which made it impossible to keep the berg in 

 3ight without a great deal of jockeying, and some hazard. As has 

 been long known, the searchlight was alternatingl}^ useful or worse 

 than useless. However, on a calm night or with very light breezes, 

 contact probably could be maintained. 



The Tahoe ran to the west-southwest to get into warm water. The 

 afternoon of the 14th there was a slight northwest breeze for a time, 

 and at 1705 with the prospect of clear weather effort was made to 

 pick up the berg again. However, fog again being encountered, this 

 was not successful until 1020, June 15, when the P ontchartrain {vfhich 

 was in the Tahoe's vicinity ready to relieve on the 14th) located the 

 berg in latitude 41°49' N., longitude 50°10' W. The southernmost 

 ice by that time was a small berg (possibly broken off from the large 

 one) in latitude 41°40' N., longitude 50°18' W. The latter was in the 

 strength of the current and was expected to average 40 miles per day; 

 the large berg was likel}^ to move slowly and erratically unless set into 

 the southeast current by the wind. 



With the shift to track A effective, the patrol was in a position to 

 handle the situation, even though fog might hamper on the ensuing 

 cruise as it had on this one. 



The Pontchartrain relieved the Tahoe at 1552, June 15, in sight of 

 the last-mentioned bergs; Lt. G. Van A. Graves, ice observation 

 officer, and the observer's party transferred to the Pontchartrain. 

 The Tahoe set course for Halifax arriving there at 0810, June 18. At 

 time of relief, an examination of the weather map indicated fairly 

 ^ood scouting conditions for the next day. 



The following is a summary of ice and water-temperature reports 

 received during this patrol: 



Number of bergs reported south of latitude 48° N 84 



Number of bergs reported south of latitude 43° N 4 



Number of ice reports received _ 210 



Number of vessels furnishing ice reports 89 



Niunber of water temperature reports received 1, 278 



Nvnnber of vessels furnishing water temperature reports 187 



Number of vessels furnished special information 17 



NINTH CRUISE, "PONTCHARTRAIN," JUNE 15 TO 30, 1938 



The Pontchartrain departed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, at 2055, 

 June 12, 1938, to relieve the Tahoe. Light northeasterly and east 

 winds with fog prevailed throughout the eastward run. On June 15, 

 with improved visibility while running search courses designated 

 by the Tahoe, two bergs were located, one in latitude 41°40' N., 

 longitude 50°18' W., a small berg, and a large berg in latitude 41°49' 



] 47469— 39 5 



