ICE CONDITIONS, NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN, SEASON OF 1939 



JANUARY 



No ice was reported during this month. 



FEBRUARY 



Field ice began to move southward into the Ice Partol area on the 

 8th of February 1939, the southernmost in the Grand Banks region 

 being reported on the 9th at Latitude 47°00' N., longitude 50°42' 

 W., and on the 11th at latitude 48°43' N., longitude 49°36' W, to 

 latitude 47°00' N., longitude 52°26' W. No bergs were reported 

 in the area during this month. The distribution of the ice for the 

 month is graphically shown on the February Ice Chart. (See fig. 2.) 



MARCH 



The Labrador field ice tongue continued to move southward and 

 spread over the northern edge of the Grand Banks. The main body 

 rounded the eastern shoulder, while only a few reports of slob ice on 

 the Newfoundland coast were received. The first bergs for the season 

 were reported on March 6 ; one in latitude 46°25' N., longitude 47°05' 

 W., and one in latitude 46°19' N., longitude 47°03' W. These bergs, 

 however, were reported only once and their ultimate disposition is 

 unknown. With the arrival of the Ice Patrol vessel in the area on the 

 18th, a considerable amount of light, broken, field ice was observed 

 along the eastern edge of the Grand Banks drifting southward in the 

 Labrador Current to the Tail of the Banks at a daily rate of 24 miles, 

 with an isolated patch of slush ice reaching 26 miles south of the Tail. 

 The observed drift of a growler (100), ^ first sighted on the 19th and 

 relocated on the 21st and 23d, was 17 miles per day. The field ice 

 tended to break up into isolated patches and melt at about latitude 

 44°30' N., but was continuous in the current north of latitude 45°00' N. 

 The bergs sighted by the Ice Patrol vessel on the 25th were in posi- 

 tion to drift southward to menace track C by April 1 ; therefore, on 

 March 27, 1939, it was recommended by dispatch to Coast Guard 

 Headquarters that United States-European traffic be shifted to track 

 B; eastbound March 29, and westbound April 1. These bergs, 

 although in the strength of the Labrador Current, were surrounded by 

 close-packed field ice and drifted southeast and then eastward instead 

 of continuing on into track C in the vicinity of the Tail of the Banks 

 as was expected. They were, however, a menace to westbound track 



2 See table of ice and obstruction reports. Each report is listed by number, followed by date, the reporting 

 unit, position, and description of the ice. Ice charts show drifts when known. 



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