Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-01
TWO NATIONS SEEK
DATA ON ICEBERGS
y. S, and Denmark Fit Expe-
ditions for BaFfin Bay to Aid
in Protecting Ship Lanes.

That gsunt. silent killer of the NORTH
Atlantic. the iceberg which has sent
thousands 10 death. will be hunted this
Summer by two nations. intent on run
ming down the complete story Of this
menace TO the worlds most Travelled
ship lanes,
Both the United States and Denmark
are fitting expeditions to explore Bafin
Pay, between Greenland and Bafftn
Land. of the northwest coast Of North
America.
They seek the solution to these qucs-
items
Does branch Of the warm Gulf
stream actually dive Ia the bottom and
finally emerge far north in BafTin Bay
between Greenland and the North
American Continent9
Does the East Greenland current
stretch all the way across n Labrador
WHY is the west coast Of Greenland
So much warmer climatically than
Bsfin Land III the same ATTITUDES?
To Sail July 10.
The United States Coast Guard is
fitting up the Marion for officers and
90 men. planning to sail from Boston
July 10. The Danish party already has
sailed in the steamer Godthaab from
Copenhagen.
ARRANGEMENTS have been made for
the two expeditions 10 cooperate IN
their surveys. data and records TO be
exchanged all Of which greatly will
enhance the value of the entire
program
Reports Of the progress Of the eXpeoi-
tion will be sent to civilization through
Harry r. Reed Of Washington, now fit
ting the Marion With her radio set. Spe-
Ciallv constructed for the purpose.
The American expedition is in charge
Of a veteran Of the seas. Lieut.. CondT
Edward H Smith. who has had about
10 years service in the ice regions on
the regular ice patrol maintained by the
Coast Guard for IA maritime nations
He also Is a trained oceanographer, hav-
ing spent two years in Europe on this
work and several years scientific re-
search at Harvard University. Lieut.
n. G. Ricketts, is the second in COM
naand. and also has seen service in the
ice regions.
Only Fittest Chosen.
The element of danger and adven-
tlire IN the expedition appealed TO Coast
Guard crews, and none but the fittest
were taken. Many applications were
received. however. from volunteers eager
to 60 despite the dangers, the stormy
weather and the hardships.
Little is known Of the wild and un-
explored stormy region between Labra-
cor and Greenland. into which the
little i25-foot ship Marion soon viii
poke her nose.
A fairly complete picture has been
obtained by the Coast Guard of other
regions. such as the area Immediately
south Of Newfoundland and near the
transatlantic steamship tracks but little
is known Of the Bafhn Bay, home Of the
icebergs.
The vessel Marion. to many people
would seem insignifcantly small. never
tl7eleSs cnbodies many exemplary
qualifications for the trip this Summer.
No fuel or supplies will be obtainable
north Of Sydney, Nova Scotia, and,
therefore. ii requires craft not only
of extraordinary seawortl1ineSs. but one
which has an unusual cruising radius
The Marion is a DIESEL engine boat
capable OF cruising one-Quarter of the
way around the earth without seeking
rspIenishment of her fuel-oil. The
ship is being fitted out in New London,
Conn, with all manner of apparatus
capable Of Wrestling secrets from old
Father Neptune. II addition to the OBJ
servations Of temperature salinity and
current, the Marion viii take the depth
Of water every half hour during her
cruise by means Of an electric set Of
ampliferS lodged IN the hull which
catch the echo from an electric oscil-
ator sending out its pulsations.
Wants Many Soundings.
The United States photographic
Office is particularly anxious TO have
the Coast Guard expedition to the
region OF Bafhn Bay secure as many
soundings as possible. There are areas
OF $4,000 square miles over which the
expedition will sail, in which there
never has been. a sounding made BY
man. Villages along the Labrador and
Greenland coasts will be visited, their
facilities and other pertinent infoTnla-
ton of q maritime character recorded
for publication in photographic Once
publications.
The United States Weather Bureau
is interested in securing meteorological
observations. Data on storm tracks
percentages Of fog compared for Doth
sides the Greenland and the Labrador
All this viii be an accumulation OF
useful information.
The Coast Guard. under command Oi
Rear Admiral r. c. Billiard, who now
is attending the international confer
cree on safety at sea. meeting in Paris
is proud of the fact that since the jct
patrol was started in the North Atlantic
"A years ago, there has been not single
loss Of life due 10 collision with an ice
berg. Radio has proved an invaluable
ally in this work. enabling the patro
slaips not only 10 send out warnings oi
berps which they themselves have de.
tected, but also to receive from Other
ships warning Of bergs sighted else.
where. The exact locations Of thesf
drifting hazards are kept checked b1
the patrol ships. and all passing ship:
are informed By radio.
The greatest disaster due 10 an ice.
berg vas the sinking Of the gigantit
passenger liner Titanic. on its nader
voyage, which struck berg off thu
Grand Bank Of Newfoundland. April II
1912. and sank with loss Of ST. lives