lorai—M. (rwc^T^.Y 



Figure 1. Distribution of icebergs in late May 1924. 



1931: In 1931, 13 icebergs 

 drifted south of 48°N, with the 

 southernmost glacial ice seen on 3 

 May at 46°32'N near Cape Race. In 

 fact, "...not a single iceberg menaced 

 the United States-Europe steamship 

 tracks throughout the season." As a 

 result, continuous ice patrols were not 

 put into effect, in February and early 

 March, observers reported persistent, 

 strong northeast winds blowing for 40 

 days. By the end of March, no pack ice 

 or icebergs were seen drifting by St. 

 John's. Observations made by the 

 General Greene, MP's oceanographic 

 research vessel, in April and May 1931 

 indicated that in April the Grand Banks 

 SSTs were generally warmer than 

 normal. The May values were near 

 normal. 



By 10 April, the sea ice extended 

 southward to the area of 60 miles east 

 of Cape Bonavista, the southernmost 

 extent of the season. Although no 

 formal patrols were instituted, the 

 General Greene monitored ice and 

 oceanographic conditions near the 

 Grand Banks throughout the spring and 

 into the summer. The seven icebergs 

 they saw east of Cape Bonavista 

 during their early April cruise showed 

 evidence of rapid deterioration. 

 General Greene also conducted a 

 research cruise to document ice and 

 oceanographic conditions along the 

 Labrador (4-24 July) and south 

 Greenland coasts. In early July, they 

 found numerous icebergs near the 

 Strait of Belle Isle and modest numbers 

 of icebergs within 65 miles of the 



59 



