Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1916-12-30
The ICEBERG PERIL
How Vessels on the Atlantic Are
Warned of Danger.
WORK OF THE PATROL FLEET.

After the loss of the giant White
Star liner Titanic in April. 1912. by
striking an iceberg there was much
discussion In Europe ana America as
TO the possibility of adopting measures
10. lessen the likelihood of such disas-
ters in future. An international con
ference for the saving Of life at sea
which was held at London. resulted
among other things, Ia an undertaking
by the principal Llarine powers Of the
world 20 maintain an ice patrol gu the
north Atlantic from February TO June
in each year.
Ii was agreed that this ice patrol
should be carried out by the United
States on behalf of the various couu-
tries represented the cost to be borne
by them pro rata. Britain to pay %
per cent Of the total; Germany. France
aud the United States 10 per cent each
and Austria. Belgium, Canada, Den
mark Italy. Holland. Norway. Russia
and Sweden from to per cent each.
The American authorities inaugural
ed this patrol service with the naval
scout cruisers Birmingham and Ches-
ter but later assigned the revenue cut
ters Seneca and Miami to this duty
which ships have since continued It,
The first season St Johns was Chosen
for the work. but ultimately it was
found more convenient to utilize Hall
Fa . IN,
trolled was south of st. Johns and
extended farther south as the season
advanced and the armadas of icebergs
became more numerous.
Each cutter patrols the ice region
for 0fteen days. 1t is a three day run
from Halifax to the ice zone. with
return voyage Of about the same dura-
ton The ships arrange their move
ments by wireless communication. so
that the service Is absolutely contln-
nous. Daily bulletins Of the foes aud
bergs seen and of the trend Of the fog
Infested areas are furnished by wire
less to the photographic Offices in the
capitals Of the countries contributing
to the upkeep Of this service. and
f'et tAAAiF' a. 0t7R ftAA w NiititNH
telegraph TO all steamers plying In the
berg strewn sections.
Each season the patrol ships are add
Ing to the stock of knowledge regard
Ing the Ice area. and the results of
thcir Investigations are published I'm
the official records. but, as is too often
the case. the world gets 10 know very
little Of them. Among some of the
conclusions reached is that under ordl
nary conditions 1t is possible to see an
iceberg twelve 70 fifteen mics from the
ships bridge, ahou; au extra mile from
the crows nest, and stil another mile
from the signal yard on the foremast.
In especially clear weather bergs
may be seen from eighteen 20 twenty
miles, but ON cloudy day. with good
visibility. a deduction OF about two
miles must be made. With the search
light It Is possible to see an iceberg
about two miles on Il dimly moonllt
night ana about three miles when the
moon sets.
Another weiGhty fact for mariners Is
that IL Is possible for lookouts on very
large ships TO be higher than the top
Of a SmaIl berg. SO that on dark
night these observers would hive an
unbroken view of the horizon over the
top OF 'grower." or low lying berg
Lalf a mile or a mile away, and thus
easily miss seeing the obstruction untn
too late to avoid it.
\ theory exploded by the ice patrol
ships is that the proximity of Ice Is
marked by a notable lowering of air
temperature. Experiments covering
three years have proved that such Is
not the case and that, rs rule, there
is little or no change In the tempera
tire of the air near an iceberg Equal
ly fallacious is the idea that the pres.
euce of berg is denoted by a lower
ing Of the temperature OF the water
As matter of fact. the very contrary
is the ease
Other theories. as that echoes mdi.
cate the presence of bergS, that Ice dis
closes itself through what il known
as the Ice blink" and that submarine
ears on ships will reveal the near
ness Of ice by its peculiar motion
through the waves. have been proved
equally uufouuded IT, truth. the testi
mouy Of the commanders Of these pa
troll ships is that the only safe way te
navigate regions of icebergs Is TO stoI
during thick weather and 10 run very
slowly ON dark nights.
The outstanding fact. therefore. with
regard to this ice patrol service is that
it is markedly effective In lessening
the danger 10 ships traverSing the ice
zone lay the warnings which 1t sends
out from day to day. which enable
passing vessels 70 give wide berth
to these distractions. But the prob,
lem of detecting ice in the immediate
vicinity Of steamer has not yet been
satisfactorily Solyed.-P. r. McGrath
In American Review OF Reviews.
A Brush For the Laundry.
A great deal of wear on clothes can
be saved by the use Of small hand
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