kept under surveillance until 1 July. The effects of these bombs on 10 

 June is shown on figures 18-19. 



The Mk.36 Thermate bombs were dropped between 12—19 June and 

 were concentrated chiefly on a medium-sized grounded berg near Gull 

 Island off the coast of Newfoundland and about 20 sea miles south of 

 St. John's. This berg was chosen for its optimum size and shape and 

 location to an area which could be kept under observation. Eight excel- 

 lent hits were scored on this berg from every aspect. The behavior of the 

 thermate bomblets was disappointing in that their small size and ap- 

 parent delajr in detonation resulted in most of them bouncing overboard 

 from the berg. The detonations observed, however, were spectacular; 

 brilliant balls of white flame persisted for longer than 20 minutes. Less 

 smoke was produced than in the case of the Mk.35 bombs but burn holes 

 were larger and deeper with dark red discolorations. 



On 19 June it was noticed that one side of the berg where hits had 

 scored 2 days before had calved away. However, other bergs in the area 

 also had calved growlers without the benefit of being bombed. Burn holes 

 made on 12 June were still in evidence on the 19th. Since the berg was 

 actively melting these undoubtedly went quite deep. 



As the basic purpose of the tests was to evaluate the performance of 

 operational thermite explosives which could be delivered by facilities 

 available to the Ice Patrol, it can be stated that the tests were successful. 

 While no icebergs were destroyed, 16 hits provided ample opportunity to 

 demonstrate any potential contained within these bombs. The bomb 

 cluster worked its designed purpose only too well and was not able to 

 deliver the required, concentrated high temperature source necessary to 

 the thermal stress theory of ice demolition. The outstanding record of 

 hits on icebergs and the excellent flight characteristics of the aircraft as 

 reported by the plane commander prove that the UF2G is well suited for 

 the purpose. Results of the I9") ( .> tests assure ;i path for continued experi- 

 ments in the future. 



1500 { 

 1400 ■ 

 1300- 

 1200 

 IIOO 

 IOOO 

 900 

 800 

 700 

 600 

 500 

 400 

 300 

 ZOO- 

 IOO 



I'k.1 uk -JO. Number of icebergs drifting south of the 48th Parallel, 1900 L959. The 

 average number is about too. 



28 



