No mention of ice at Burgeo this year. (GR p.94)
Jan 2 For the past week the weather has been about as mild as it was cold the week previous. It has rained nearly every day during the present week, and the roads which were last week covered with snow to the depth of from 18 to 20 inches, are now bare in places – the ice in the Bays and Harbours is fast melting away and should the heavy thaw continue much longer, our winter bridges will be destroyed. There is one advantage to be derived from the present thaw – many vessels loaded and frozen up in different out ports, will probably, be released from the ice and pursue their voyage. (Ex 2 Jan p2#6)
Jan 2 The Brig “J.B. Strong” which left this Port of the 18th of December 1864, is frozen in, about three miles from the wharf; men have been employed in cutting her out for the past six or eight days, and have succeeded in getting her to within about 200 yards of open water, but it is thought that there is no possibility of her getting away this season. (The chances are, that the “J.B.Strong” will get clear of the ice this morning, and proceed to sea North about) (Ex 2 Jan p3#3)
Jan 24 PE Island, the Brig “Jupiter,” carried away by ice from the North Cape, in January last, had been drifting about in the ice, in the Gulf for the last three months, arrived safely in this port on Wednesday morning last, apparently not much worse from he contact with thick ice. She drifted down past Cape North and St. Paul’s on to the coast of Newfoundland before she got clear of the ice, when she made her way back by way of the Gut of Canso, having traversed completely around Cape Breton Island. (AR 24/04/1865 p2 #6)
Feb 20 The English Mail arrived at Cape Tormentine on Friday night last, and on Saturday the Couriers endeavoured to cross over to the Island, but had to put back on account of the bad state of the ice. We have not heard whether a crossing has been or will be effected today, but we should think it would be. (Ex 20 Feb p2#7)
Apr 3 The mails have, for the last fortnight, arrived here with great regularity. The crossing in the Straits is very good, and there is every reason to hope that intercourse with the outside world by the ordinary channels of navigation will be very soon resumed. (Ex 3 Apr p3#4)
Apr 10 Pictou, the weather continues fine, in a degree unusual for the season of the year. The harbour has been clear of ice for over a week and in a large part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, navigation has been unobstructed. Already the number of arrivals in port is unprecedented, as will be seen by reference to our shipping list. On Friday eight vessels entered the harbour and others continue to come in. (AR 10/04/1865 p2 #5)
Apr 20 The [Cabot] Strait clear. (GR p.33)
May 7 Capt. Day of the schr “Mary,” reports on May 7th ashore at Bay of Island, Nfld, brigt _ from Quebec, bound to St. John’s, Nfld … Capt. Day also reports, saw a schr lashed [?] up in the ice off St. Paul’s ; no persons on board. (AR 12/05/1865)