The Washington times., 1914-07-12
USSERAND LAUDS
CUTTER ICE PATROL
rites Secretary Bryan Conn.,
mending Work of Vessels on
Steamship Lane.

Ia Eh commendation of the ice patrol
|ncucted by the Revenue Cutter Serv-
e during the season of greatest dan
kr to transatlantic shipping from ice
5erCs, has just been received by the
kate Department in a letter from Am
hssador JUsserand, of France The
ttor is as follows:
Mr.. Secretary of State: / have re-
fy I'd from Commander Ponceiet of the
ench navy, row in command of the
ail steamer La France, of the Trans
uantic Company, a letter in which
laws stress on the important
Irrices rendered to navigation by the
Z 10 vessels Employed by the Govern
! ert of the United States in the waters
the Atlantic ocean where floating
/ e is met, which give information re-
. be ting ice to vessels of all nation
! |uics.
r commander Poncelet says the fol-
wing on the subject: The value of
lie patrol conducted by Captains John
b. and Gamble. of the United States
evcnue Cutter Service, during the year
|S is beyond appreciation. Their de-
<tion. endurance, and intelligence
kouably saved many lives and their
kservations will make it possible here
fter to aCopt safer tracks than mere
bfore.
Warned of Bergs.
g American vessels commanded by
ther cartains are continuing their
sluabIe service this year. One of them.
be Miami. warned me long in advance
the presence of several icebergs d.
kcrlv on the international road OF the
la Thanks to the clearness Of the
eather. / was able to see and avoid
hem. keeping on my way, but If II had
Ieen foggy, or If l had had to pass
hem by Light. should have had no
Is ration in altering my course there
|nd then so as to avoid any chance OF
EplI!sion.
a. The presence of these vessels is
|essinc to navigation of all countries.
These views were confirmed TO me oy
he naval attache of the embassy, who,
b his last trip across. had also occasion
note the usefulness and remarkable
Hcuracy Of the information given
- beg leave to acquaint your excel
|n~y with the foregoing, and 1 also
b. making a similar report to my
|oveTnment. 1t shows that the services
'hirh the Government of the United
h. tes intended to render in organiz-
he the observation OF
Re fully as effective as expected, and
Re such as to call for the sincere CRATE
|Iluess of the mariners of all countries.
pc pleased to accept, Mr.. Secretary
4 state, the assurances of my nigh
|pnslderation ,JUSSERAND."
Eighteen Days of Fog.
The ice patrol was discontinued July
when. because of the strong set of
he gulf stream, all of the bergs were
Iriyen far to the northward. Lieuten-
mt Quinnan, commanding the cutter
diami, reported that during the last
Month of the patrol there were eighteen
avg of fog. and much heavy weather.
fe said the Arctic currents were weak
|nd the gulf stream had a strong set
|p~thward clearing the steamer lanes.
he scorfed at the report of a ship
hs ster who said he had just missed
|erE This shlpmaster reported that
proceeding in fog at night his whistle
|ch0ed back to him, apparently from
berg and he had to change his course.
Lieutenant Quinnan declares this is
|atursl phenomenon and can be du-
Heated any time when there are no
|erEs. but a heavy fog and still air.
At one time when he was forced to
ey too. the vessels crew had several
|rr,tfuI days fishing of the Grand
ea-ke