Oceanography of the Baffin Bay Region

Abstract

THE United States Coastguard in 1928 sent an expedition in the ship Marion into Davis Strait and Baffin Bay to carry out scientific investigations connected with the international ice patrol, particularly in regard to ocean currents, ocean depths, and ice conditions in the region north of that usually covered by the ice-patrol vessels each spring and summer. The ship followed a zigzag track northward from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to and fro between Labrador, Greenland, and Baffin Island. An account of the expedition and its results are being issued as the U.S. Coastguard Bulletin 19, published in three parts. Part 1 (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1932; pp. 81, 50 c), just issued, contains a fascinating narrative of the cruise, illustrated by 38 well reproduced photographs; it gives also a report and discussion of the sounding work accomplished (by the echo method), and a description and discussion of the bottom samples obtained at some of the places where wire soundings were made. Part 3, published last year, dealt with the arctic ice and its drift into the North Atlantic Ocean, while Part 2, to be issued shortly, will report on the oceanography of Baffin Bay and Davis Strait.