Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-11-10

break up there; others reach the
shores Of Labrador. where from one
end to the other they continually
ground and float; some break up and
disappear entirely. while others get
safely past and reach the Grand bank
The whole coast OF Labrador is cut
up by numerous islands. bays and
headlands. shoals and reefs. which
makes the journey Of all drift long
one. and adds greatly to the destruc-
tion of the bergs by stoppages and
by causing them to break up.
"It is the greatly increased surface
which the fragments expose to the
melting action Of the oceanic waters
that accounts for the rapid disappear
ance of the ice after 1t has reached
the northern edge Of the warm cir
culatory drift currents Of the north
Atlantic ocean II these processes Of
disintegration did not go on and large
bergs should remain intact several
years might elapse before they would
melt and they would ever be present
In the trans-oceanic routes. In fact,
instances are on record in which
masses Of ice, escaping the influences
OF swift destruction or possessing
capability for resisting them, have. by
phenomenal drifts. passed into Euro
pean water and been encountered
from time to time throughout that
portion Of the ocean which stretches
from the British isles to the Azores.
"They assume the greatest variety
of shapes. from those approximating
to some regular geometric figure to
others crowned with spires. domes.
minarets and peaks. while others still
are pierced by deep indentations or
caves. Small cataracts precipitate
themselves from the large bergs.
while from many icicles hang IN clus-
ters from every projecting edge. They
frequently have outlying spurs under
water. which are as dangerous as any
other sunken reefs. For this reason
1, is advisable for vessels te give them
wide berth, for there are a number
of cases on record where vessels were
seriously damaged by striking when
apparently clear Of the berg 1t is
generally best for vessels to go to
windward of them. because the dis.
integrated fragments will have tend.
ency to drift to leeward. while open
water will be found to windward
Serious injury has occurred to vessels
through the breaking up or capsizine
Of icebergs."
Collisions Have Decreased.
A few years ago collisions Of steam
ships with icebergs we're reported fire.
quently. That such accidents have
diminished Is due not to a decrease
In the number Of bergs-they arr
plentiful as ever-but to the remark
able development Of the science o
photography. The wireless also play,
an important role In relaying from
ship to ship information regardini
distractions Of all types. whether the!
be fugitive buoys. derelicts. floatini
/ bpdlo VI udh6Ciouo OCi 30 AAoh6
on thu wall of the photographic OF
fee in New York Is pilot chart
with red symbols marking the posi-
tions Of bergs and other obstruction
as last reported Nearly every da!
the office Is visited by shipmaster'
and Junior officers, who either brini
reports of drifting objects they hav'
seen or seek the latest news from tn
transatlantic lanes. They examine
the charts. copy the daily memoran
dunn OF distractions issued by tn,
Washington office. as we'll as tn
daily log OF the Maritime Exchange
and receive the weekly photographic
bulletin. which tells all about drift
ing objects and gives other facts o
interest to seamen All OF this ir
formation Is given without charg
and the office has no secrets. Its OF
ject is to aid the men who are re
sponsible for the safety Of valuabl
ships and thousands OF passengers
AS a consequence. liners master
when he leaves port, knows approx
mately what he is likely to encounte
on his voyage. He Is more than likel
to add to his stock Of information
through wireless conversation wit
old friends of the high seas. HI
chief concern is fog Icebergs. unles
they are submerged, are not regart
ed with awe. except in foggy weather