24 



FIFTH CRUISE, "CHELAN," MAY 9-24, 193y 



The Chelan sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, at 1238, on May 7, 

 1939, to relieve the Champlain on Ice Patrol duty. Light to moderate 

 northeasterly breezes and smooth seas were experienced to the reliev- 

 ing point. The Champlain was met in latitude 42°15' N., longitude 

 50°51' W. The assistants to the Ice Observation Officer reported on 

 board and at noon, May 9, 1939, the Chelan relieved the Chamjjlain 

 as Ice Patrol vessel. Lt. N. W. Sprow was temporarily assigned the 

 duties of Ice Observation Officer. Upon being relieved, the Champlain 

 departed for Halifax, Nova Scotia, setting course to scout the area in 

 vicinity of latitude 41°50' N., longitude 52°20' W. where a berg had 

 been reported that morning. That vessel encountered poor visibility 

 before the search was completed and the berg was not sighted. The 

 Chamjilain did, however, relocate three bergs previously reported. 



The Chelan set a course to the eastward to relocate the bergs sighted 

 by the Champlain during her westward run to the relieving point. All 

 of those bergs were found except two, the southernmost and eastern- 

 most. The remaining hours of daylight on the 9tli were spent in 

 searching for the southernmost berg and, as it was believed to be in the 

 strength of the Labrador Current in position to be carried southward 

 to menace tracks A, search courses were designed on the 10th with a 

 view of finding it and relocating the easternmost berg before dark. 

 Fog set in that afternoon before either of the bergs were found. Two 

 bergs sighted by the Champlain on the morning of May 9 in latitude 

 42°18' N., longitude 49°07' W. and latitude 42°19' N., longitude 

 49°09' W. were relocated on May 10 in latitude 41°56' N., longitude 

 48° 43' W. The latest current chart indicated a velocity of 1.07 miles 

 per hour at this point in the Labrador Current and the above- 

 mentioned bergs drifted 30 miles in 28 hours which was in close 

 agreement. 



The dense fog that set in on the afternoon of May 10 covered not 

 only the cold water but the warmer mixed water to the eastward as well. 

 The latest weather map indicated this condition could be expected to 

 continue for at least 3 more days. Accordingly, the patrol vessel 

 plotted the position and coarse of each ship that entered the area. 

 Those vessels which were on courses leading through the fog and berg 

 infested area, were especially advised of the eastern, southern, and 

 western limits of the low visibility ; also of the fact that this condition 

 could be expected to continue until May 14. Several of these vessels 

 immediately altered their course and were able to traverse the ice 

 longitudes with loss of time due to detour of less than 1 day in each 

 instance. At the same time, the vessels that preferred to drift while 

 awaiting clear weather, lost 3 days, not to mention the more serious 

 risks of collision with ice. During this period of low visibility no 

 effective scouting could be accomplished, so the patrol vessel drifted 



