1527
Jul 1 “Mary of Gilford (Guilford)” and “Sampson” found many great islands of ice in 53N and cast to the south and came into 52N and fell in with the mayne land and a great island of ice and then into Cape de Bas (Bauld). (From a letter by John Rut to King Henry VIII). (DWP).
1663
Feb 24 “Reformation” left Plymouth but ran aground. Left 8 days later and in 22 days came to the false bank of New Found Land where it was intolerably cold. Next morning [~Mar 27] we saw many great islands of ice and many smaller pieces. Apr 3, sea full of great islands of ice and very cold, maybe 8 leagues off land, fell in directly with Cape Bollard later. (JY).
1668
Mar 23 “Marigold” crossed Banks and met no ice until 23rd with shelfs of ice under the shore of Cape Spaire. It lay 4 leagues off shore, 2 or 3 miles broad and got through this patch with much rubbing and knocking, off Torbay. (JY).
1670
Feb 8 “Marigold” left Plymouth and on Mar 11 in 4620’N met islands of ice and eventually ice on all points; sounded in 90 fathoms in evening and stood off tho the south. Mar 12, through thick ice; 13th, 4640’N islands of ice but no shelfs; 17th, suppose we are 30 leagues off Cape Spayre, had 4720’N by observation, see a firm land of high ice in the NNW and divers islands about us; 20th, 10 leagues off Cape Broyle, south end of main ice, some scattered to the south. Our people in 36 voyages say they never saw so much ice; 21st, entered Bay Bulls unable to make St. John’s. East wind then filled bay with ice. Eventually made St. John’s Apr 17. (JY).
1704
Apr 21 Ship “Anne”, Thomas Manson, master, sailed Lisbon bound for Newfoundland, being about 50 leagues off that coast with 5 other ships in fog struck the tail of a huge island of ice which lay under water. A glimpse of it appeared of prodigious height. Ship leaking, bore off and very soon after hit same or another island of ice. Ship very rapidly went down; 26th, off Bay of Bulls then 4-5m off Cape St. Francis but couldn’t get in. Made St. John’s after 7 days (about Apr 28 – pages missing). 5 men perished in the open boat and 6 others soon after arrival at St. John’s. 3 survivors, Treby had both legs amputated. Apart form islands of ice, progress does not seem to have been hindered by any sea ice, but obviously very cold. (from A Narrative of the Shipwreck and Distress suffered by Thomas Manson of Lympson in Devon and his Ship’s crew, near the Coast of Newfoundland, in the year 1704, drawn up by Henry Treby 1724.
1706
Mar 26 British frigate “Langdon” on fishing voyage to Newfoundland was trapped and holed in ice field, having left Plymouth in February. 28 days after leaving the vessel by small boat arrived at Baccelieu Island after being held up by several ice fields before getting free. Exact position of sinking unclear. (FGMM JF).
Feb 27 Frigate “Langdon” sailed from Plymouth; Mar 26, ground at 75 fathoms, by observation 4650’N and by estimation 50 leagues (though it proved to be 70 leagues) off land we saw some shattered ice. Despite efforts fell in with a land of ice in evening. An unhappy blow near the Harber bilged her. Next 28 days striving for shore. 9 survivors out of 96. Arrived Baccalew Apr 24. (from Ebeneezer: A true account of 9 men in a small boat which was enclosed within islands of ice about 70 leagues from land and continuing in distress 28 days). (AG).
1726
From Journal of a Voyage by God’s Permission in the Christian of Leith Capt. Alexander Sutton, Commander from the Roads of Leith to St. John’s.
Jun 3 Departed; 10th, left St. Kilda.
Jul 23 At 5 pm we saw an island of ice bearing NW by W (?) distance 2 leagues. We bore towards it to make it plain, at 7 we were within 2 miles of it, it appeared about the hight of ? very near as broad above water … there were 2 small islands of ice near to the bigger one. Brought too overnight for fear of collision (and following ones).
Jul 25 Sounded and had ground on the Banks 60 fathoms.
Jul 26 Met brig said we were but 25 leagues from Shoar
Jul 29 Sighted land
Jul 30 Entered St. John’s harbour. (#231).
1741
Jul 7 Issue: The “Joseph & Elizabeth”, for Newfoundland, was lost by the ice, as was the “Crown” from Biddeford to Maryland; but the crew of both ships got safe on shore in Newfoundland [would probably refer to April or May]. (LL).
1742
LL missing for this year.
1743
LL missing for this year.
1744
Jun 19 Issue: “Susanna” arrived at Newfoundland 28 Mar last. (LL).
No mention of ice this year.
1745
LL missing for this year.
1746
LL missing for this year.
1747
No mention of ice in LL, mainly concerned with vessels captured and taken.
1748
No mention of ice in LL.
1749
No mention of ice in LL.
1750
No mention of ice in LL.
1751
No mention of ice in LL except for 3 vessels lost in Greenland ice.
1752
No mention of ice in LL except for 4 vessels lost in Greenland ice [whalers].
1753
May 4 Issue: The “Betty” from Lyme for Newfoundland, being 500 leagues to the westward, fell in with a great quantity of ice, which cut off most of her sheathing, and stove in her counter, after which she proved too leaky, that he was obliged to put back to Plymouth to refit, one of the crew was lost. (LL).
1754
LL missing for this year.
1755
No mention of ice in LL.
1756
LL missing for this year.
1757
No mention of ice in LL, mainly concerned with French wars.
1758
No mention of ice in LL, mainly concerned with French wars, except for 1 vessel lost in the Greenland ice.
1759
LL missing for this year.
1760
No mention of ice in LL except for 1 vessel lost in the Greenland ice.
1761
Aug 28 Issue: The “Nancy” from Glasgow to Virginia struck against an island of ice in 46N and foundered but the crew taken up by the “Leopard” and carried to Quebec.
1762
No mention of ice in LL.
1763
Jul 23 Issue: The “Sally” is lost in the ice at Newfoundland.
1764
No mention of ice off Newfoundland in LL, though some mention in the River of St. Lawrence and in Greenland.
1765
Mar 5 Issue: The “Friendship” from Quebec for London, is ashore a few leagues above the Isle of Candre [or Caudre, probably in the River St. Lawrence] with the loss of her anchors and much shattered with ice. (LL).
1766
From Journal of a Voyage to Newfoundland and Labrador commencing & April and ending 17 November 1766 by Sir Joseph Banks. Unfortunately could not find mention of the name of the vessel or its Captain, though a Captain Williams is mentioned later.
Apr 7 left London, Apr 22 left Plymouth, Apr 30 couldn’t find Rodney Island.
May 8 At 12, sound and find 75 fathoms, at 6 sound again, 50 fathoms. At 10 tonight for the first time we see an island of ice. The night is hazy but the sky clear, no moon. The ice itself appears like a body of whitish light, the waves dashing against it appear much more luminous. The whole is not quite unlike the gleaming of the Aurora Borealis. When first it was seen, it was about half a mile ahead. It drives within one fourth of a mile from us. It is accompanied by several small pieces of ice which the seamen call field ice which drive very near us and is easily seen by its white appearance, not unlike the breaking of a wave into foam.
May 9 This morn seven islands of ice in sight. One very large but not high, about a league from us. We steer very near a small one which from its transparency and the greenish cast in it makes a very beautiful appearance. Two very large cracks intersect it lengthways and look very like mineral veins in rocks. From its rough appearance the seamen judge that it is old ice, that it was formed the winter before last. In the course of the day we steer still nearer to another island which appears as if layed stratum upon stratum, one of white, another of greenish. At half past five this afternoon we made Newfoundland. … Tonight e stand off with too little wind to carry us in.
May 10 Mist and frost, see land again but again too little wind.
May 11 About three got into St. John’s, on the twentieth day of our voyage.
May 12 … Found the spring very little advanced but hope its approaches will be quick as it is warmer than I ever felt it at this time in England.
May 20 Snows.
Jul 19 … had intelligence that a white bear with two cubs had been seen on a hill above St. Julian’s.
Oct 20 Left St. John’s for Lisbon.
Memorandum: St. John’s contains about 300 houses. In the winter of 1765-66 its inhabitants were 1,000 .. summer fisherman can increase it to 10,000… For dirt and filth of all kinds, St. John’s may, in my opinion, reign unrivalled as it exceeds any fishing town I ever saw in England…
1766-1776
No mention of ice off Newfoundland in LL but does mention casualties. Also accounts of losses and catches of Greenland whale fishery.
1777
No mention of ice in LL, mainly American war encounters, even Greenland fishery barely mentioned.
1778
LL missing for this year.
1779
No mention of ice in LL, mainly American war.
1780
“The ice-blockade of the Middle and East Atlantic coast, which has not been exceeded in severity before during the present century, being comparable to that of 1780.” MWR February 1875
No mention of ice in LL, mainly American war.
1781
Sep 7 Issue: The “Betsey” and “Speedwell” both foundered by means of ice, in sight of Trinity, Newfoundland, where they were bound. (LL).
Oct 9 Issue: The “Carboneir” [sic] from Lisbon to Newfoundland is supposed to have foundered in the ice on the coast of Newfoundland. (LL).
1782
No mention of ice in LL, except for Greenland ice.
1783
From Log of the Ship “Viper” from London to St. John’s via Madeira and New York: passed an island of ice close to Cape Spear on July 11. Left St. John’s 16th and on 19th in ~4755’N 4656’W saw an island of ice distant about 5 leagues (?). George Browning, Commander.
Jun 20 Issue: The “Fly” from Lisbon to Newfoundland was lost in the ice; the crew saved, but 2 or 3 since dead, and the captain despaired of. (LL).
1784
No mention of ice off Newfoundland in LL.
1785
The “Winchelsea” and “Lion” with great difficulty got into Trepassey Harbour where they were detained till the ? May on account of the ice. “Winchelsea” arrived at Trepassey ? May. “Lion” arrived at Trepassey 12 May, sailed early June for Fogo. (GB1).
Sep 13 Issue: The “Bristol” pqt. from Bristol to Newfoundland and New York met with considerable damage being entangled in the ice, and remained for a month, had a lucky escape from foundering. (LL).
1786
No mention of ice off Newfoundland in LL.
1787
Mar 9 from account by Capt. William Wier: “.. 42N 5540’W was called by the mate to see a line of breakers: altered my course from ESE to S, the appearance of breakers being NNE and trending from ENE to WSW. March 11th, 4334’N found myself in a large body of ice trending ENE and WSW; soon got through. March 13th, 4403’N at 8am, made a large body of ice, extending beyond view from masthead, and trending NE by E and SW by W. At 10pm, met a larger body of ice, which entirely blocked the ship’s way. On the morning of the 14th, found myself enclosed, and could see no water from masthead, except one small hole, into which I pressed the ship. In this dismal situation lay with sails hauled up till the 21st. ..” (WCR).
Mar — Iceberg aground 4415’N 50W. (WCRM).
May 5 A letter from Cape Breton: I have been on board a vessel her, mentions, Capt. Martin, for Quebec, being in distress, after having thrown part of her cargo overboard, and seen in the thick of ice; the captain who gave me this information, has little hopes of his safety. (LL).
May 14 Extract of a letter from Ferryland: the early ships have had fine passages out, and there has been no ice on the coast this spring. (LL).
1788-1789
No mention of ice of Newfoundland in LL.
1790s
One spring in the 1790’s Captain William Bartlett of Brigus, distant relative of Bob Bartlett, had to go as far north as Spotted Islands, Labrador to find ice and seals. (GW).
1790
Apr 20 The “William & Mary” from Dartmouth to Newfoundland was lost in the ice on the coast of Newfoundland, the crew saved. (LL).
1791
No mention of ice off Newfoundland in LL.
1792
In the winter of 1791-92 a succession of hard gales from the north east brought the seals in great numbers before the middle of January, unaccompanied by any ice, a circumstance that rarely occurs. (in a letter by John Bland 1802 quoted by D.W. Prowse in a History of Newfoundland p 420.
Jul 31 The “Diana” of Dartmouth is lost on a rock of ice on the coast of Newfoundland; crew saved. (LL).
1793
No mention of ice off Newfoundland in LL, being primarily concerned with French encounters.
1794
No mention of ice off Newfoundland in LL, being primarily concerned with French encounters.
Jun 21 In 4518’N on the eastern steep edge of the Grand Banks, HM Frigates “Daedalus” and “Ceres” were suddenly involved amidst some very high and dangerous islands of ice. The “Daedalus”, commanded by Sir Chas. H. Knowles hauled up and passed close to the stern of a ship that lay stranded upon one of these ice islands, and sailed to windward of it through a great quantity of drift ice. The “Ceres”, Capt Thos. Hamilton, passed in the same track and saw the wreck on quarter of an hour later. (M9).
1795
No mention of ice off Newfoundland in LL.
1796
Jun 14 Issue: The “Mur” from Figuira to Newfoundland is lost in the ice near Cape Race; the mate and 1 man drowned. (LL).
1797-1798
No mention of ice off Newfoundland in LL.
1799
In 1799 when the ice went even south of St. John’s the [seal] kill was exceptionally good. [p.225 original source Public Records Office]. (CGH).
No mention of ice off Newfoundland in LL.
1800
No mention of ice off Newfoundland in LL.
1801
Apr 29 The “Success”, sealing vessel, of St. John’s was lost in the ice on the coast of Newfoundland. Crew saved. (LL).
1802
No mention of ice off Newfoundland in LL.
1803
Jun 22 “Lady Hobart” Packet sailed SE from Halifax to clear Sable Is; 24th, hauled to northward of the great bank of Newfoundland; 26th, on the grand bank discovered a French schooner, shot at and captured her; 28th, blew hard from the westward, thick fog at times. At 1 am at 7 mph struck against an island of ice. Barely time to lower the cutter (18 people) and the jolly boat (11 people), before she went down, estimated 350m distant from St. John’s. Passed 2 more islands of ice during the day. An observation gave 4533’N, St. John’s bearing 3/4N, distant 350m; Jul 1, cutter low in water, cast off from jolly boat in fog and separated. St. John’s estimated 148m W by N; boats reunited on 2nd; 4th, fell in with land between Kettle Cove and Island Cove, Conception Bay and picked up by schooner; some frostbitten, French captain had thrown himself overboard in a fit. (from the Loss of the Lady Hobart Packet on an Island of Ice. from Wonderful Escapes, Dublin 1818, printed by Brett Smith.
Jun 28 The “Lady Hobart” Packet from America was lost on an island of ice in 4633’N 44W. Passengers and crew saved and arrived at Newfoundland. (LL).
1804
25 vessels wrecked in the ice. (CGH).
Mar 17 The “Neptune” experienced bad weather on the Banks of Newfoundland and suffered some damage, no ice mentioned. (LL).
1805
Apr 23 The “Sally” of Boston from Charleston to Liverpool was lost in the ice. Captain and 5 of the crew saved. (LL).
Apr~25 The “Nymph” of Montrose was struck by the ice off Domeness [!] and foundered with all crew. (LL).
Jun 14 Issue: The “Jupiter” from London to New York is lost in the ice on the Banks of Newfoundland. Captain and some of the crew arrived at Marblehead. (LL).
1806
Jul 11 Issue: The “Lovely” from Bristol is arrived at Newfoundland; she got entangled in the ice and was deserted by the crew in the night and carried into port by some people from the shore the next morning. (LL).
1807
No mention of ice off Newfoundland in LL.
1808
Jun 7 Issue: The “Hasp” of Poole is lost in the ice at Newfoundland. (LL).
1809
No mention of ice off Newfoundland in LL, though several vessels lost.