1880 Season
Dec ~11 Steamer Prince Edward sailed for Liverpool, G.B. (Pat 11 Dec p3#2)
Dec 18 Local ice formed Bonne Bay. (GR p.85)
Jan 11 Local ice formed Bay of Islands. (GR p.88)
Jan 15 St. John, N.B: Miramichi, a survey has been held on the barque “Miramichi” in Bay Desverte [sic]. Several of her planks are cut through by the ice and considerable damage along both sides results from chafing… (LL)
Jan 24 Yarmouth harbor has not been frozen over this winter and is entirely free of ice. (MH 24/01/1880)
Jan 27 Northern ice arrived Bonne Bay. (GR p.85)
Feb Northern ice arrived Bay of Islands; departure date unknown. (GR p.88)
Feb 6 Halifax, arrived, steamer “Peruvian; Feb 6th and 7th passed a quantity of field ice. ([MH] 10/02/1880 p3 #5)
Feb 10 Halifax, arrived, steamer “George Shattuck” from St. Pierre, Miq. reports on Tuesday night passed quantities of drift ice. (MH 13/02/1880 p3 #5)
Feb 11 Halifax, arrived, steamer “Newfoundland” St. John’s, reports on Wednesday night last, passed through 30 miles of heavy Gulf ice. (MH 16/02/1880 p3 #6)
Feb 13 Halifax: The SS “Geo Shattuck” which arrived here yesterday from St. Pierre, was eight hours in an ice field off Scatterie( C.B ) on the night of Feb. 10th. (LL).
Feb 14 Halifax: The SS “Newfoundland” arrived here from St. John (N.B), reports that she met heavy Gulf ice on the night of Feb 11., and passed through 30 miles of it before striking clear water again. (LL).
Feb 14 Halifax: A dispatch from Cow Bay announces that the Cape Breton Coast is clear of ice. (LL).
Feb 14 Cow Bay, Cape Breton is clear of ice. (LL)
Feb 17 The “Alhambra” is detained at this port [Halifax], owing to the drift ice in Cow Bay. She will sail for that as soon as word is received that the harbor is clear of ice. (MH 17/02/1880 p3 #1)
Feb 26 New York: The SS “Alhambra” which left Halifax for Cow Bay, Feb 17th returned on the 25th, at the mouth of the Bay she encountered thick fog and drift ice and could not get in. Put ships head off shore, and at noon, on the 19th, when the fog cleared away, she was found to be closed in by heavy ice. For six days she drifted in the ice but at daylight on the 24th the ice began to scatter, and she steamed south into open water. (LL).
Feb 26 “Geo. Shattuck” beset off Scatari. (GR p.33)
Feb 26 The steamer “Alhambra,” which sailed from Halifax at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the 17th inst., bound to Cow Bay, returned to this port, arriving here yesterday morning. Captain McElhinney furnishes us the following report of the passage: “Had nothing to note until we arrived at the mouth of Cow Bay, where we entered on Wednesday night (the evening after leaving Halifax), when the weather set in foggy, accompanied with rain and a strong breeze from the South. There was considerable ice in the Bay to the North-East of us, but the weather being so thick, could not enter the Bay, and was compelled to head off shore; consequently getting into the ice. The wind continued blowing fresh from the south, with very thick weather until noon the day following, when the wind shifted to the West and N. W., blowing hard until Friday, driving us into heavy ice. We were at this time about 30 miles to the East of Scaterie [sic] Island, where we remained, drifting about, until last Tuesday morning, before we got out. The ice then slackened, which enabled us to sail and steam ahead, getting into clear water about 50 miles SE of Scatarie. As the wind at this time was blowing a gale from the East, decided not to attempt to proceed to Cow Bay, and returned to this port.” The “Alhambra” had sufficient coal to last her until her arrival here and she is in good condition, suffering no damage form her six days imprisoned in the ice. (MH 26/02/1880 p3#2)
Mar 3 MaCrair, M[?] open for navigation-There was heavy rain at Machlas, M[?] night of Feb 26 and the ice was all out of the Machlas River [localities unknown]. (NYMR)
Mar 6 Halifax: Barquentine “Violet” from Figueria, reported by telegraph as having put in here leaky, having been in contact with ice. (LL)
Mar 8 Steamer “Newfoundland,” which arrived yesterday from St. John’s, NF, encountered much ice during the passage. She left St. John’s harbor on the afternoon of Friday last, met with the ice on the morning of Sunday last, remaining in it for thirty hours. Her bow plates were damaged to some extent. (MH 08/03/1880 p3 #1)
Mar 25 Halifax, arrived, Sunday March 28 Steamer “Glendon,” Cape Canso. Reports on Thursday and Friday, while in Canso harbor, encountered a heavy gale; also reports that previous to the gale the harbor was full of ice, which broke up and sent seaward. Outside the Cape went through large quantities of loose field ice. (MH 29/03/1880 p3 #5)
Mar 28 Halifax, arrived Tuesday March 30, steamer “Newfoundland,” St. John’s, NF, reports met with heavy drift ice between Scaterie and Sable Island on Sunday and Monday last, remaining in it for 8 hours. (MH 31/03/1880 p3 #6)
Mar 29 The “Wheatfield” at Cow Bay, still remains in port [Halifax] on account of the CB coast being blocked by ice. (MH 29/03/1880 p3 #1)
Apr 2 The steamer “Wheatfield” has thrown up her charter to load coal at Cow Bay for New York on account of the prevailing easterly winds which blocks the coast with ice. (MH 02/04/1880 p3 #1)
Apr 5 Northern ice departed Bonne Bay. (GR p.85)
Apr 10 Montreal: The St. Lawrence is nearly clear of ice. Rain set in this morning and, if the present mild weather continues, navigation will be completely open within the next few days. (LL).
Apr 14 [Half of the column is cut off/unreadable] [?] Montreal, April 10-The St. Lawrence…[?] nearly clear of ice. Rain set in this [?]… present mild weather continues…[?] open in a few days. (NYMR)
Apr 16 Port Au Basques: This port is blocked with ice from Cape Ray. There is also much ice in the Gulf. (LL)
Apr 19 Halifax, arrived, steamer “Newfoundland”, St. John’s NF, reports experienced until yesterday, heavy Westerly gales and passed through seven[ty?] miles of field ice during the passage. Was four days in the ice and had two blades of the propellor [sic] broken off on the downward passage. (MH 19/04/1880 p3 #4)
Apr 20 Issue: Reports of large quantities of ice coming out of the Gulf. Also, reports of an English steamer and a Spanish one colliding with ice and sinking – no names or positions. (PL)
Apr 20 – SS “George Shatuck” which arrived here yesterday from St. Pierre (Miq), could not get into Cow Bay the previous day, owing to the Coast being blocked with ice. The ice is breaking up at North Sydney. (LL).
Apr 23 Canso: There is a large quantity of drift ice five miles from here. Several vessels can be seen in it. (LL).
Apr 23 Channel (Nfld): The Gulf is full of ice. The French vessels harbouring here cannot get passed Cape Ray. No vessels have gotten beyond yet. (LL).
Apr 24 St. John (NB) steamers are running on St. John River today. The ice has cleared out of Miramichi River. Shediac Harbour is also free of ice and the PEI steamers will commence voyage in the next few days. (LL).
Apr 26 Gulf ice first arrived La Poile. (GR p.92)
Apr 27 Bathurst (NB): The harbour here is clear of ice and the weather is quite springlike. (LL)
Apr 28 Two Pilot Boats arrived at Port Mulgrave, from Pictou, they reported that the Gulf and Straits are all clear of ice as far south as Cape Jack. (MH 01/05/1880 p3 #1)
Apr 29 The steamer “St. Lawrence” attempted in making the trip to Pictou on Thursday last (29th April) but owing to the quantity of ice encountered outside the harbour was obliged to put back the same day. (Pat 1 May 1880 p3#1)
Apr 29 Cape Breton coast packed. (GR p.33)
May 1 “Thorndean” lost, ice packed in Channel and La Poile. (GR p.33) [“Thorndean” lost off Grand Bruit. (LL)]
May 1 The “Cortes” arrived yesterday afternoon from St. John’s, NF, and had heavy southerly storm for 15 hours, after having, nine hours later, met the heavy ice and had it as far as Louisburg. Could not get into Cow Bay, as the ice is heavily packed along the shore. (MH 01/05/1880 p3 #1)
May 1-5 Shipping Intelligence; Port of Charlottetown – arrivals May 4 and 5. Port of Georgetown – arrivals May 1. Port of Murray Harbour – arrivals May 3. Port of Grand River – arrivals May 1 (Pat 6 May 1880, p3#3)
May 2 Halifax, NS: The SS “Morawan” [sic] from Liverpool for Quebec, May 2 turned N by E, and at 4:50 am entered a field of ice, Cape Ray bearing NNW, about 20 miles distant. (LL).
May 3 Local ice cleared Bay of Islands. (GR p.88)
May 4 Gulf ice last departed La Poile. (GR p.92)
May 5 SS “Polynesian” from Liverpool for Quebec, before reported as being fast in the ice, put into North Sydney on Tuesday as well. (LL)
May 5 Halifax, arrived, Tuesday, May 4, Steamer “Moravian,” Liverpool, GB., 22nd via Moville 23rd ult., bound to Quebec, reports May 1, 8 a.m., passed through floating ice; 10 a.m., met with field ice; noon passed detached fields of ice, engine slowed as found necessary, 2 p.m., entered light field ice, 5 p.m. getting heavier; 10 minutes afterwards steered a SSE course for clear water ; 8 p.m., no ice in sight ; 2nd 1 a.m., turned to N by [?] 4:50 a.m. entered field ice, Cape Ray, bearing NNW, distance about 20 miles; 7 a.m. ice heavier, steamed towards clear water; from 8 to noon tried to find a passage, but could not succeed, p.m. half speed, decided to go to Halifax, for coal and water; 7:30 p.m. passed the last field of ice, arriving at Halifax at 7 am today. Passed [several vessels] all waiting off the ice for a chance to get up the Gulf. (MH 05/05/1880 p3 #6)
May 8 Quebec: SS “Gouino” from Glasgow for Montreal fell in with large quantities of ice while coming up the Gulf…. (LL).
May 10 Father Point SS “Ocean King” which passed today reports that there is no passage by Cape Ray and that she came by the Gut of Canso and Northumberland Straits. The Master reports that 50 vessels in the ice 20 miles SE of Cape Race. The British Ship “Lake Huron” is close up to the ice, there are no vessels in the Gulf. (LL).
May 10 Local ice cleared Bonne Bay. (GR p.85)
May 11 Barque “Neptune” struck a berg and sank; crew lifted from boats by “Ganger Rolf” from Queenstown. Other report says off River St. Lawrence caught in ice flows estimate of position: 46°50’N 58°50’W – BH
May 12 50 vessels in ice 20m SE of Cape Ray.
May 12 New York: The “Polynesian” arrived at Quebec from Liverpool via Sydney (CB) reports having signalled several vessels icebound between Cape Ray and Cape North. (LL).
May 12 Steamer “Ocean King” (Br.), which arrived at Father Point May 10th, reported that there was no passage by Cape Ray, and that she came by the Gut of Canso and the Northumberland Straits. The captain reported 50 sailing vessels in the ice 20 miles southeast of Cape Ray. (NYMR)
May 12 Sydney, CB, the sealing steamer “Walrus” arrived here this morning, having been a week on the passage from St. John’s Nfld. She reports passing through nearly a hundred miles of heavy ice between St. Pierre and this port. (MH 14/05/1880 p3 #6)
May 13 New York: The British Barque “James Kenway” which arrived at Newcastle (NB) yesterday is the first vessel of the season. Her master reports 70 vessels outside in the ice. (LL)
May 14 Halifax, arrived from Burgeo, Nfld, on 14th inst. Reports having seen an immense field of ice, extending from west coast of Nfld to Cape Canso, and nearly one hundred sail of all sizes delayed from getting up the North Bay. Two large Norwegian barques totally lost near Rose Rlanche [Blanche?]. Crew all saved names unknown. It is supposed many more vessels will be lost as the ice is very heavy. (MH 21/05/1880 p3 #7)
May 15 Gulf ice into Channel. (GR p.31)
May 17 New York: The SS “Walrus” which arrived at North Sydney May 12 had been a week on the passage from St. John’s. She reports having passed through nearly 100 miles of heavy ice between St. Pierre and North Sydney. (LL)
May 20 North Sydney, CB, the steamer “Prinz” from Burow, May 2nd, for Montreal, arrived here at for repairs. The captain reports that on May 13th (a.m.), saw light ice off the coast of Scatarie, north-west, sixteen miles, slackened speed and dodged to the north-west. At 5 a.m. 14th, found current setting westward with ice increasing ; hauled ship to the northward, engines going dead slow, and stopped at times; wind increasing from the north-east with snow. At 7 a.m. found a small hole in both bows and fore compartment filling with water. Engine stopped, drifting south-west, ice jamming, and the holes increasing in size. The fore compartment filled with water and ice and the fore bulkhead split. Commenced immediately to discharge, and put a second bulkhead inside. The wind blew strong, with snow throughout the day. At 9 p.m. found ship drifting down on Scatterie, when anchored to save ship. The wind continued strong from the north-east, with a strong set of cakes of ice. At daylight, 15th found all the frames and plates gone in the fore compartment, and continued throwing the cargo overboard until the evening of the 16th when the damaged part was out of water. Built the ship up with wood inside to enable her to proceed to port. Continued fast in the ice until the 19th when then change of wind loosened the ice and enabled the ship to proceed to North Sydney. (MH 21/05/1880 p3 #3)
May 20 Halifax, barqt “Mary Agnes” St. John’s, NF, bound to Sydney, CB, reports encountered heavy drift ice 25 miles SSE off Scatterie, and 15 miles off the coast to Canso. (MH 21/05/1880 p3 #6)
May 20 North Sydney, arrived, “Prince William”, Barrow to Montreal, put in damaged from collision with ice. A considerable part of her cargo was thrown overboard in Mira Bay in order to lighten the vessel. (MH 21/05/1880 p3 #7)
May ~20 Ship “Morning Star” from Liverpool for Quebec, was cut through by ice and foundered at sea off Cape Roy [Ray?] prior to May 20th; crew saved. (MH 26/05/1880 p3 #5)
May 21 Quebec: “Morning Star” from Liverpool for Quebec, has been sunk by contact with ice off Cape Ray, crew saved. (LL)
May 21 The “George Shattuck” arrived at North Sydney yesterday morning. She was in the ice off the harbor, 7 days in company with a large number of sailing vessels, and two steamers. (MH 21/05/1880 p3 #1)
May 21 Canso, about 30 seal vessels are bound east but cannot proceed on account of drift ice; large quantities in sight yesterday. (MH 22/05/1880 p3 #7)
May 21 Halifax, Sunday May 23, steamer “Cortes” St. John’s NF, reports on Friday 10 miles south of Scatarie, got into very thick ice and had steering gear damaged. So could not go into Cow Bay and bore for this port. Barque “Minnet” reports May 12th, 48°N 45°W got among numerous ice bergs, some of which were from 200 to 300 feet high, and did not succeed getting clear of them until May 21st , in 42°N and 58°W. (MH 24/05/1880 p3 #5)
May 27 Port of Mulgrave, arrived schr “Paragon” from Magdalens, came through large fields of ice. (MH 29/05/1880 p3 #6)
May 31 North Sydney, barque “Emma” of Halifax, arrived here this evening from Liverpool; reports a large body of heavy drift ice to the north of St. Paul’s Island. Saw a large fleet of steamers and sailing vessels in the ice endeavoring to work through to the Gulf. (MH 31/05/1880 p3 #6)
May 31 Halifax, arrived brigt “Busy Bee,” from Glasgow, reports was bound to Sydney, but was prevented reaching there by heavy ice. (MH 31/05/1880 p3 #4)