In this region of the ocean, the icebergs melt rapidly because of the sunshine and warm ocean water. Parts of the icebergs may break off to form bergy bits, which are the size of an average house, or smaller pieces called growlers. Growlers are named for the noise they make as they float in the waves. The greatest numbers of icebergs reach the routes of transatlantic liners in April, May, and June. That is why ships crossing the Atlantic follow a more southerly course during these months.
Many icebergs drift out to sea from the great Antarctic icecap.
Some of these icebergs are many times larger than those found in the North Atlantic. Icebergs can be extremely dangerous to ships. One of the greatest sea disasters in history was the sinking of the Titanic during the night of April 14 and 15, 1912. The Titanic was the largest ship afloat then, and was on its first trip from England to New York. The ship struck an iceberg, and about 1,500 persons died.