May 



Continued northeasterly winds promoted more soutlierly 

 iceberg drift. A ship report of two icebergs west of 40°W 

 extended the limits of all known ice to encompass over 

 250,000 square miles south of 48"N on 7 May, as shown in 

 figure 15. This date also represented the southernmost 

 iceberg of the season at 39°46'N 50°W as well as the 

 easternmost bergs of the month, two at 42°A1'N 39°27'W. 

 On 5 May a ship reported the southernmost ice for the season, 

 a growler in position 37°12'N 49°W or some 1250 miles due 

 east of the Virginia coast. After the first week of May, 

 offshore wind induced drift developed along the coast of 

 Newfoundland, loosening the sea ice south of latitude 49°N 

 and developing leads along the coast, finally reopening St. 

 John's harbor. Ice observation flights on 14, 15 and 17 May 

 (figure 16) located a total of 123 icebergs, 6 growlers and 

 64 radar targets concentrated on the Grand Banks and its 

 eastern slope. For the remainder of the month, the average 

 surface winds were from the southwest over the Grand Banks, 

 contributing no significant southward iceberg drift and 

 lessening the iceberg threat to mariners crossing south of 

 the Tail of the Banks. By the end of the month, sea ice re- 

 mained along the Newfoundland coast from Cape Freels to the 

 Strait of Belle Isle. The Strait was clear of sea ice and 

 open to unrestricted marine traffic on 30 May. It is estimated 

 that 159 icebergs drifted south of A8°N during this month. 



June 



Iceberg conditions on the first of June (figure 17) were 

 still very serious with 344 icebergs on plot south of 48''N 

 (155 bergs south of 46''N) many of which had crossed this 

 parallel during April and not yet deteriorated. Ice recon- 

 naissance flights on 7 and 8 June covered the area between 

 47 °N and 50°N to give an indication of the iceberg potential 

 for the remainder of the month. This area was last flown on 

 14 May and was not reflown due to the prevailing fog conditions. 

 Figure 18 shows the 137 icebergs, 10 growlers and 10 radar 

 targets located on these flights indicating that, in spite 

 of the early commencement. Ice Patrol would continue for at 

 least another month. Sea ice rapidly receded within Notre 

 Dame Bay until it became clear by mid-month. Mid-June also 

 had the southernmost and easternmost icebergs for the month 

 located in positions 42°02'N 48°14'W (15 June) and 44''52'N 

 41"25'W (18 June), respectively. A good sequence of ice 

 observation flights on 19, 20 and 21 June (figure 19) re- 

 vealed only 58 icebergs, 14 growlers and 4 radar targets, 

 however, with icebergs still south of the Tail of the Banks, 

 the Surface Patrol was continued. During June 151 icebergs 

 were estimated to have drifted south of 48°N. 



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