PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY OF THE GRAND BANKS REGION 

 AND THE LABRADOR SEA IN 1957 



By Floyd M. Soule and R. M Morse 

 (U. S. Coast Guard) 



For the 1957 field work the USCGC Evergreen was again designated 

 as the oceanographic vessel of the International Ice Patrol. The Ever- 

 green is a 180-foot tender-class cutter and descriptions of the arrangement 

 of facilities for oceanographic work will be found in earlier bulletins of 

 this series. No significant changes were made, either in the laboratory 

 or deck gear or in such vessel characteristics as affect the oceanographic 

 work. 



At the beginning of the season, while en route from Woods Hole, 

 Mass., to Argentia, Newfoundland, the Evergreen was diverted from her 

 oceanographic assignment to surface vessel ice patrol duties until 3 April 

 on which date she proceeded to begin the first current survey of the 1957 

 season. This survey covered the waters over and immediately seaward 

 of the southern and eastern slopes of the Grand Banks from about 

 longitude 52° W. on the southern slope to the latitude of Flemish Cap 

 on the eastern slope. The work of collection of data began on the 

 southwestern slope of the banks on the early morning of 4 April and 

 progressed eastward around the Tail of the Banks and thence northward 

 along the eastern slope. Except for being hove to for 23j^2 hours in 

 heavy weather between the second and third stations of the survey and 

 again for 234 hours on 14 April the work of collection of data progressed 

 without major interruption and was completed on the morning of 18 

 April. The Evergreen then proceeded to Argentia, arriving there at 

 mid-day on 19 April. 



A second survey was made with the Evergreen leaving St. John's, 

 Newfoundland, on 29 April. The area covered by this survey was 

 similar to that covered by the first survey and with work progressing in 

 the same direction. The work of collection of data began on the early 

 morning of 1 May and again the only interruption to the work of collection 

 of data occurred near the beginning of the survey, this time for \ x /i hours 

 on the morning of 2 May. The final station of the survey was com- 

 pleted on the early morning of 12 May and the Evergreen proceeded to 

 Argentia, arriving there the following morning. 



^o be reprinted as Contribution No. 959 in the Collected Reprints of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. 



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