26 



lieving point nine bergs were reported by the S. S. Dessau in latitude 

 40°05' N., longitude 47°42' W. Efforts were made to verify tliis re- 

 port, but the patrol vessel was unable to establish radio communication 

 with the Dessau until the following evening. Several vessels had 

 passed in close proximity to the above position for many days previ- 

 ously and had failed to sight any ice. The possibility of such a large 

 number of bergs arriving in a group at the low latitude was doubted. 

 Notwithstanding, in the interests of safety the Chelan immediately 

 proceeded to the locality, arriving there at dusk the following evening. 

 The Chelan drifted throughout the night and at daylight a scouting 

 program was commenced in cooperation with the Champlain. The 

 assistants to the Ice Observation Officer were transferred to the Cham- 

 plain and that vessel relieved the Chelan as Ice Patrol vessel on May 

 24, 1939. 



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 204 



Number of bergs reported south of latitude 43° north 31 



Number of ice reports received 218 



Number of vessels furnishing ice reports 107 



Number of water temperature reports received 1,205 



Number of vessels furnishing water temperature reports 189 



Number of vessels furnished special information 49 



SIXTH CRUISE, "CHAMPLAIN," MAY 24 TO JUNE 6, 1939 



The Chamjilain sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, at 1106 on May 

 21, 1939, to relieve the Chelan on Ice Patrol duty. Tlie trip to the 

 relieving point was imeventful and the Chelan was met in latitude 

 39°25' N., longitude 47°10' W. The assistants to the Ice Observation 

 Officer reported on board ; and at noon on May 24, 1939, the Champlain 

 relieved the Chelan as Ice Patrol vessel. Throughout the 24th the 

 Chelan and Chamjdain continued the scouting program commenced 

 that morning in an effort to locate nine bergs reported on May 22 by 

 the S. S. Dessau in latitude 40°05' N., longitude 47°42' W. The ice 

 was not sighted and the Chelan set course for Halifax, Nova Scotia. 

 On May 25 and 26 the Champlain searched the area southeast of the 

 Tail of the Banks. Moderate visibility prevailed during this search 

 but no ice was sighted. 



On May 27 and 28, with good visibihty prevailing, the area between 

 latitudes 40°00' N. and 42°45' N., from longitude 50°00' W. to longi- 

 tude 51°15' W. was scouted out. During this search 23 bergs and 

 numerous growlers were sighted in the area mentioned, 3 bergs and 

 4 growlers being in westbound track A. The cold wall extended 

 from latitude 42°00' N., longitude 51°00' W. to latitude 40°17' N., 

 longitude 50°09' W. and apparently 60° true from the latter position. 

 It appeared that several more bergs would drift into westbound 



