Graham guardian. [volume] (Safford, Ariz.) 1895-1923, 1911-10-27

-SI1cN0 90
the arctic. they ind their way into
the Labrador current and begin their
journey to the southwark. Il ID mos
an unobstructed drift. but one attend
e.. With many stoppages and mishaps.
Many ground In the arctic basin and
break up there: others reach the
shores Of Labrador. where from one
end to the other they continually
ground and noat: some break up and
disappear entirely. while others get
safely past and reach the Grand bank.
The whole coast OF Labrador II emit
up BY numerous islands. hays and
headlands, shoals and reefs. whi:h
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,
1T IL the greatly increased surface
which the fragments expose to the
melting action of the oceanic waters
that accounts for the rapid dlsappear-
ance OF the ice after II has reached
the northern edge OF the warm chr
cuIatory drift currents Of the north
AtlsAtic ocean. II these procerses Of
disintegration did not 60 on and large
Dergs 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. b.
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 10 the Azores
rThey assume the greatest variety
Of shapes. from those approxtmating
to some regular geometric figure 70
others crowned with spires. domes,
minarets and peaks, while others still
are pierced by deem indentations or
caves Small cataracts precipitate
themselves, from the large bergs.
while from many icicles hang 10 clus-
ters from every projecting edge They
frequently have outlying spurs under
water. which are az dangerous AZ any
other sunken reefs For this reason
Il Il advisable for vessels C give them
wide berth. for there are number
OF cases on record where vessels were
seriously damaged BY striking When
apparently clear of the berg II -
generally best for vessels to 60 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 capsixinE
Of icebergs"
Collisions Have Decreased.
A few years ago collisions Of steam
ships with icebergs were reported fire.
Quently. That such accidents have
diminished IL due not to q decrease
in the number of bergs-they are
plentiful as ever-but to the remark
able development of the science Of
photography. The wireless also plays
an important role In reiaying from
ship to ship information regarding
distractions Of all types. whether they
be fugitive buoys. derelicts. floating
spars or dangerous bergs. Hanging
on thu wall OF the photographic Of
nee IN New York 10 pilot chart.
with red symbols marking the posi-
lions OF bergs and other ohstructions
az last reported Nearly every day
the once Is visited by shipmasters
and Junior ofYicers, who either bring
reports OF drifting objects they have
seen or seek the latest news from the
transatlantic lanes They examine
the charts. copy the daily memoraD-
dun Of distractions issued By the
Washington ONCE. as well as the
daily log of the Maritime Exchange.
and receive the weekly photographic
bulletin, which tells all about drift
ing objects and gives other facts Of
interest to seamen All of this In
formation Is given without charge
and the Office has no secrets lts OBJ
1ect 10 TO aid the men who are re-
sponsible for the safety OF valuable
ships and thousands Of passengers
AS a consequence. liners master,
when he leaves port. knows approx
mateIy what he is likely to encounter
on his voyage. He Is mere than likely
to add to his stock OF Information
through wireless conversation with
old friends of the high seas. His
chief concern is fog. Icebergs, unless
they are submerged. are not regard
ed with awe, except In foggy weather.
for rarely does ship strike one
when the atmosphere is clear. The
record OF collisions with Ice proves