23 



48°43' W., and was in the strength of the southeastern branch of the 

 Labrador Current. Course was set to the westward to contact the 

 Chelan and while enroute to the relieving point, the following ice was 

 sighted: One berg latitude 42°18' N., longitude 49°07' W.; two bergs 

 in latitude 42°19' N., longitude 49°08' W. ; one berg latitude 42°07' N., 

 longitude 49°29' W.; one berg latitude 42°27' N., longitude 49°43' 

 W. ; and one berg in latitude 42°22' N., longitude 50°06' W. At 0630, 

 while standing to the westward, a berg was reported in latitude 

 41°50' N., longitude 52°20' W. The Chelan was met in latitude 

 42°15' N., longitude 50°51' W. Lt. W. P. Hawley, Ice Observation 

 officer, had been ill for several days and remained on board for trans- 

 portation to Halifax and medical treatment. William E. Ehrman 

 Q. M. Ic, and Richard S. von Burske Y. Ic, assistants to the Ice 

 Observation Officer, were transferred to the Chelan and at 1104 on 

 May 9, 1939, the Chelan relieved the Champlain as Ice Patrol vessel. 

 The Champlain set course for Halifax, Nova Scotia, arriving there at 

 1806 on May 11, 1939. 



Shortly after the beginning of this patrol, bergs released by the 

 field ice began to move southward in increasing numbers and spread 

 over a wide area. The current map delivered on May 2 indicated that 

 these bergs would probably move across latitude 42° N., and into 

 westbound track B by May 6 or 7. Therefore, it was recommended to 

 Coast Guard Headquarters by dispatch that United States-European 

 traffic be shifted from tracks B to tracks A, immediately. In accord- 

 ance with Coast Guard Headquarters dispatch 6006-1633 (May 1939), 

 traffic was shifted to the extra southern route ; eastbound on May 5, and 

 westbound on May 10. In the meantime vessels on westbound track 

 B were permitted to deviate when necessary to avoid ice. Dense fog 

 covered the cold water on May 5 and indications were that it would 

 continue for some time. Accordingly, the evening broadcast of that 

 day advised vessels that the southernmost bergs sighted and reported 

 on the 3d and 4th would probably be moving across latitude 42° N. 

 into westbound track B and it was recommended that ships on that 

 track cross longitude 47°00' W. at latitude 41°15' N. and then set 

 course west to longitude 52°00' W. This route would not only take 

 vessels clear of the bergs but also, as the cold water was limited to a 

 narrow stream at this latitude, they would experience less fog. 



The following is a summary of the ice and water temperature 

 reports received during this cruise: 



Number of bergs reported south of latitude 48° north 104 



Number of bergs reported south of latitude 45° north 73 



Number of ice reports received 139 



Number of vessels furnishing ice reports 79 



Number of water temperature reports received 1,105 



Number of vessels furnishing water temperature reports 138 



Number of vessels furnished special information 24 



