U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Northland's ice and oceanographic observation cruise, Baffin Bay and Davis Strait, autumn of 1940

Abstract

During the latter part of 1939 and at the April, 1940, meeting of the International Commission of Snow and Glaciers, attention was called to the desirability of taking an iceberg‐census three successive summers for the value this information might have for ice‐studies in general and particularly to the efficient operation of the International Ice Patrol. The subject was presented to the Interdepartmental Board on Ice Observation, Ice Patrol and Derelict Destruction Service, at its annual meeting in December, 1939. The Board recommended that a survey of the present iceberg‐glacier fronts, and also the waters of Baffin Bay and Davis Strait, be carried out for three successive summers, beginning with 1940, if the Coast Guard could furnish the necessary ship for the cruise. The Commander, International Ice Patrol, recommended that the oceanographic and ice‐observation cruise be carried out by two separate vessels, the General Greene continuing with her usual cruise to Cape Farewell, and at the proper time during the summer, the iceberg‐observation cruise to Baffin Bay and Davis Strait be carried out with a Lake‐type cutter. At the request of Headquarters, as Commander, International Ice Patrol, I submitted a final letter on the subject, recommending that the ice‐observation cruise to Baffin Bay be performed by the Cutter Northland. No opportunity, however, appeared likely for the summer of 1940 until the Northland received orders to Greenland duty, and later, in August, when the latter was curtailed, the Northland became available for the earlier discussed cruise to Baffin Bay and Davis Strait, as authorized.