1907 Season
John Hourn, Master, C.G. Icebreaker “Montcalm”: In the year 1907 all the E coast of Cape Breton was blocked from Cape North to Scatari until late in June. Sydney harbour was full of drift ice on the 7th of June that year. (CIS IC1056)
Nov 24 Last eastbound steamer through the Strait of Belle Isle. (WBB)
Nov 25 Lat 43° lon 58°21’W [position correct?] seven large icebergs; sea covered with small icebergs. (NYMR 6 Feb 1907 p. 10, col. 1)
Nov 30 Cape Ray, ice making fast. (HB #901 Dec 5, 1906)
Dec 5 Cape Magdalen: Ice making fast. (HB 902 Dec 12)
Dec 6 Father Point: Light open ice inshore. Cape Ray: Ice making fast. (HB 902 Dec 12)
Dec 8 L’Islet: River covered with ice. Matane: Ice making fast. (HB 902 Dec 12)
Dec 10 Vessel (“Delamore”) arrived North Sydney damaged by ice. (LL – 11 Dec)
Jan 3 The schooner “Eva May” sailed from the port of Crapaud yesterday afternoon for Glace Bay, C.B. It is not very often that vessels sail from Crapaud at this time of year. The harbour is reported almost clear of ice and very little could be seen outside. The schooner had a fair wind out and everything seemed to be favourable towards her succeeding in making the trip. (Ex 3 Jan p8#3)
Jan 4 Charlottetown harbour with its open expanse of blue water presents rather an unusual sight for this time of year. Ships entering and leaving the port of Georgetown. (Ex 4 Jan p8#3)
Jan 10 The “Stanley” reached Pictou today at noon. (Ex 4 Jan p8#2)
Jan 18 Gulf now blocked with ice. (LL 19 Jan)
Feb 1 North Sydney. “Beatrice” Navigation is now closed; there is considerable ice in the Gulf. (LL 2 Feb)
Feb 14 SS “Amelia” from Canso for Halifax arrived Arichat with propeller broken by ice. (NYMR)
Feb 20 The steamer “Wobun” arrived at St John’s, Nfld, last week after a hard fight with the ice. Leaving Sydney she struck the heavy Gulf ice just outside the harbor and worked south between Low Point and Scattarie Island, lying up in the floe that night. Next day she cut away south slowly for 45 miles and while forcing through it the plates on her starboard bow were dented and rivets loosed so that the fore peak soon became partly full of water. She was carefully nursed along and on getting clear, steamed to 50 miles east of Scattarie before the ice was left behind. (HH 25/02/1907 p10#4)
Mar 1 SS “Parthenia” 43°16’N 65°37’W saw light field ice. (HB #915 Mar 13)
Mar 2 French Cable Ship “Contre Amiral Caubet”: from Halifax to 44°36’N 61°30’W, passed loose ice. (HB 918 Apr 3)
Mar 3 SS “Victorian” 44°17’N 62°58’W: passed through a quantity of light field ice. (HB 917 Mar 27)
Mar 3 French Cable Ship “Contre Amiral Caubet” 44°36’N 59°W: passed drift ice, some pieces of which seemed heavy. (HB 918 Apr 3)
Mar 4 The steamer “Minto” which left Georgetown, PEI, on Monday morning arrived at Pictou Saturday evening. She will leave Pictou this morning to attempt to return to Prince Edward Island. The steamer “Stanley” which has been en route to Georgetown is till stuck in the ice off Cape Bear. About 55 of her passengers went ashore at Pictou and are there yet. The “Minto’s” passengers who came ashore over the ice arrived ahead of the steamer. (HH 04/03/1907 p1#2)
Mar 5&6 French Cable Ship “Contre Amiral Caubet”: 46°35’N 56°27’W to Cape Race, met light ice. (HB 918 Apr 3)
Mar 6 SS “Numidian” about 20 miles ES [SE?] of Sambro Island passed through patches of slob ice. (HB #916 Mar 20)
Mar 8 Canso, the steamer “John L Cann” has had some hard experiences during the past two weeks with ice in the strait which almost rival the battles of much larger boats such as those plying between Pictou and Prince Edward Island. Last week only one round trip was made to Mulgrave because of the heavy ice. Failing to reach a wharf the steamer is forced into ice until it is of sufficient strength to bear the weight of passengers and freight which are then landed and conveyed to the shore. Oldest citizens have never seen larger ice walls around our shores than those that have piled up during the past two weeks and the indications now point to a late fishing season. (HH 12/03/1907 p3#5,6)
Mar 11 A Marconigram from Sable Island, stating that there are immense quantities of ice along the north shore of the island, heaviest at the east end. Not for years has so much ice been seen in the vicinity of the island. (HH 11/03/1907 p12#4)
Mar 11 Charlottetown, the SS “Minto” is still stuck in the straits off Caribou, where she has been for the past week, and while the wind still is east, there is little hope of any news of her release. It will require a strong southerly wind as the ice is closely packed and very heavy. It is rumored that she is getting short of provisions, as she has a hundred passengers besides the crew. The “Stanley” also struck a little outside of Georgetown, which port she left this morning for Pictou. (HH 12/03/1907 p1)
Mar 12 Lunenburg, only twenty fishing schooners of the Lunenburg fleet will make the early spring trip to the Grand Banks. The first visit to the fishing grounds will be later this year than in former seasons, owing to the great quantities of ice on the shores. The brigantine “Scepter” for the West Indies, made an unsuccessful attempt to sail from this port Wednesday afternoon, owing to the heavy pack of drift ice off the shore. (HH 16/03/1907 p6#4,5)
Mar 23 [prior to] Boston: Captain Dawson, of the steamer “Dominion”, from Louisburg, CB, reports heavy field ice along the Cape Breton coast, extending seaward nearly 30 miles. [Report to Philadelphia Maritime Exchange.] (HB 917 Mar 27)
Mar 23? L’Islet: no ice. Father Point: no ice in sight. Martin River: heavy close packed ice inshore. Fame Point: light open ice everywhere. Southwest Point: heavy open ice distant. Heath Point: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Fox Bay [Point?]: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Seven Islands: solid ice seven miles out. Esquimaux Point: ice breaking to east end of harbour. Point des Monts: light close packed ice inshore. Point Amour: Straits clear; bays and shore ice breaking up. (HB 917 Mar 27 CSS)
Mar 25 Boston: Report of heavy field ice along the Cape Breton coast extending seaward nearly 30 miles. (LL 3 Apr)
Mar 25 SS “Platea” [cf Mar 26]: from 60 miles SSE of Louisburg, C B, passed through large fields of ice for more than 70 miles which badly damaged the bows. The ice extended as far east as could be seen. (HB 918 Apr 3 CSS)
Mar 26 The “Platia” [cf Mar 25] reports this side of Newfoundland she met much field ice and her bow was slightly damaged by contact with the ice about the waterline. (HH 26/03/1907 p1#5)
Mar 27 North Sydney. “Beatrice” Still surrounded by ice. (LL 28 Mar)
Mar 29 L’Islet: no ice. Fame Point: light open ice everywhere. Southwest Point: light open ice everywhere. Heath Point: heavy close packed ice distant. Cape Ray: heavy close packed ice distant. Long Point: heavy close packed ice. Esquimaux Point: heavy close packed ice. Point Amour: Straits full of thin sheet ice. (HB 918 Apr 3 CSS)
Apr 3 Quebec to Fame Point, practically clear of ice. Cape Roster[Rosier?], heavy, close and packed everywhere. Anticosti, west and southwest, no ice. East end, heavy ice everywhere. Point Maquerian [sic], light, close packed everywhere. Point Escuminac, heavy, close packed in shore. Cape Tormentine, no ice. Gut of Canso, clear. Meat Cove, heavy, close and packed everywhere. Amherst Island, (Magdalens), very close packed everywhere. Grosse Island, heavy, close packed everywhere. Above Quebec, still solid with ice. (HH 03/04/1907 p12#4)
Apr 4 Fame Point – Light and fine ice inshore. Cape Rosin[Rosier?] – Heavy, close packed ice everywhere. Point Maqerian [Maquereau?] – Heavy open ice everywhere. Point Escuminac- Heavy open ice everywhere. Cape Tormentine – Heavy, close packed ice everywhere. Strait of Canso – Clear. Port Hood – Heavy ice as far as can be seen. Cape Ray – No ice. Low Point – Heavy, close packed ice everywhere. (HH 04/04/1907 p10#5)
Apr 4 The “Minto” succeeded in reaching Georgetown at 9:10 this morning. The “Stanley” got into Pictou about ten o’clock. (Ex 4 Apr p8#2)
Apr 6 Cape Rosin – Heavy open ice everywhere. Anticosti, South Point – No ice, all other points heavy ice everywhere. Maquereau and Escuminac – Heavy open ice everywhere. Tormentine, Cape Traverse and Souris – Heavy, close packed ice everywhere. Strait of Canso – Clear. Port Hood, Cheticamp, and Low Point – Heavy, close packed ice everywhere. Cape Ray – Heavy, close packed ice distant. (HH 06/04/1907 p16#3)
Apr 6 The SS “Stanley” arrived at Pictou at 9:30 a.m. today. Captain Brown reports, “A thick snow storm. Straits full of ice, impossible to return today will leave at 7 a.m. tomorrow if favourable. The “Minto” has not yet arrived in Pictou. A Marconi report, “”Minto” five miles south west of Cape Bear. East in ice. Heavy north east [text blocked out] storm.” (Ex 6 Apr p1#4)
Apr 8 Anticosti – westward, no ice; eastward, close packed everywhere. Cape Rosin, Point Maquereau, Escuminac, Tourmentine, and Cape Traverse – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Strait of Canso – Clear. Port Hood – Ice moving off. Low Point – Heavy, close packed ice distant. North Shore, St. Lawrence – Very little ice. (HH 08/04/1907 p12#5)
Apr 8 The steamer “Minto” after being out in the ice since Saturday morning succeeded in reaching Pictou at nine o’clock this morning. The “Stanley” left Pictou this morning and 11:20 reached Georgetown. (Ex 8 Apr p9#2)
Apr 8 L’Islet: river covered with ice. Fame Point: light open ice everywhere. Cap des Rosiers: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Southwest Point: heavy close packed ice distant. Heath Point: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Fox Bay: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Point Maquereau: heavy open ice distant. Point Escuminac: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cape Tormentine: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cape Traverse: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Souris, P.E.I.: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Mulgrave: a little drift ice in Strait. Low Point: heavy close packed ice distant. Pointe des Monts: light close packed ice distant. Seven Islands: bay still fast. Point Amour: ice distant to south. (HB 919 Apr 10 CSS)
Apr 11 SS “Tonke” from Halifax to Louisburg returned to Halifax prevented from reaching her destination by heavy ice. (NYMR)
Apr 11 Fame Point – Light, open ice everywhere. Cape Rosin – Heavy, open ice distant. Anticosti – Westward; scattered ice everywhere. Maquerian – Heavy open ice everywhere. Escuminac- Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Tormentine – Heavy, close packed ice everywhere. Cape Traverse – Reports broad stretch open water, ice not heavy. Strait of Canso – Clear. Port Hood – Heavy ice everywhere. Cape Ray – Heavy close packed ice distant. Low Point – – Heavy, close packed ice distant. (HH 11/04/1907 p10#5)
Apr 11 The “Stanley” succeeded in reaching Pictou at 5 o’clock this morning and left there at 1:00 for Georgetown. The “Minto” is in the same position as yesterday afternoon, about two miles south west of Cape Bear. Early this morning the mails were landed from the steamer at Little Sands. She will coal there this afternoon and leave for Georgetown tomorrow morning. (Ex 11 Apr p1#4)
Apr 12 Fame Point – Light, open ice everywhere. Anticosti – West Point, light open ice everywhere. Southwest Point – Heavy, close packed ice distant. Heath Point and Fox Bay – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cape Rosin – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Maquerian, Escuminac, Tormentine, Cape Traverse and Souris – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Strait of Canso – Clear. Port Hood – Not much ice outside; heavy close inshore. Cheticamp – Heavy ice twelve miles off. Cape Ray – No ice. Low Point – – Heavy, close packed ice distant. (HH 12/04/1907 p10#5)
Apr 12 The “Minto” arrived at Pictou at 11:30. The “Stanley” at that time was four miles southwest of Cape Bear doing well. (Ex 12 Apr p8#2)
Apr 15 L’Islet: heavy ice inshore. Cap des Rosiers: heavy open ice everywhere. Heath Point: light open ice inshore. Fox Bay: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Point Maquereau: heavy open ice everywhere. Point Escuminac: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cape Tormentine: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cape Traverse: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Souris: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Mulgrave: Strait Canso clear. Port Hood: large body of ice from here towards the Strait. Cape Ray: no ice in sight. Low Point: heavy close packed ice distant. Cape Race: light open ice distant. Seven Islands: harbour clear of ice. Point Amour: open slob ice all over the Strait. (HB 920 Apr 17 CSS)
Apr 16 Movements of the Fish. The operations which began last night report fishing extremely dull, owing to the ice-pack all along the coast, which may prove beneficial to mariners in general vis: Whitehead – Fishermen afraid to put out gear on account of drift ice reported easterly off shore. West Arichat – Drift ice prevents fishing. Arichat – Drift ice prevents fishing. Cheticamp –Navigation not open. Gulf still blocked with ice. Gaspe Bay full of ice yet. (HH 16/04/1907 p11#5)
Apr 16 Cape Rosier and Point Maquereau – Heavy open ice everywhere. Anticosti, West and South Points – No ice. Heath Point – Light open ice inshore. Fox Bay – Close packed ice everywhere. Escuminac, Tormentine, Cape Traverse and Souris – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Strait of Canso – Clear. Cape Ray – No ice. Low Point – Heavy close packed distant. (HH 16/04/1907 p12#5)
Apr 16 Glace Bay, shipping here is at a standstill owning to the immense fields of ice. For two weeks two steamers at Louisburg have been waiting an opportunity to sail for Montreal and Boston. Yesterday both steamers were in the ice off the Harbour, endeavouring to reach port. There is a mile of solid ice. This is the first time the shipping at Louisburg has been interfered with to such an extent. (Ex 16 Apr p1#1)
Apr 16 The “Stanley” left Georgetown at 6:30 a.m. and arrived at Pictou at 11:45. (Ex 16 Apr p8#4)
Apr 18 General movement of ice out of the gulf and heavy, close packed and impenetrable fields of ice extending many miles south of Scatarie and the coast west of Louisburg. Nearly all stations except Cape Ray reporting heavy close packed ice. (NYMR)
Apr 18 Sydney: The first general movement of ice outward from the Gulf of St. Lawrence this season occurred on April 10 since when very extensive fields have continuously moved seaward. During January, February and the first two weeks of March, temperatures of 6 degrees below the average obtained throughout the Gulf, and the ice is exceptionally heavy, closely packed, and moving in impenetrable fields, which extend many miles south of Scaterie Island, and during the past few days have enveloped coast west of Louisburg. North from Cabot Strait to Fame Point is still practically full of ice, all signal stations, with exception of Cape Ray, reporting daily, “Heavy, close packed ice, everywhere”. (NYMR 24 Apr)
Apr 20 Port Elgin, NB: Navigation has not yet opened in the district and it will probably be the first week in May before the ice runs clear. The season is fully 2 weeks late. (LL 2 May)
Apr 21? Québec to Cap des Rosiers: no ice. Fox Bay: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Point Maquereau: light open ice distant. Point Escuminac: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cape Tormentine: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cape Traverse: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cheticamp: heavy close packed ice everywhere moving eastward. Grosse Isle: heavy close packed ice moving east. Amherst Island: heavy close packed ice everywhere moving east. St. Paul Island: heavy close packed ice everywhere moving southeast. Meat Cove: heavy close packed ice everywhere moving southeast. Low Point: heavy close packed ice 3 miles distant moving southeast. Cape Ray: heavy close packed ice inshore moving southeast. (HB 921 Apr 24 CSS)
Apr 22 SS “Mongolian” 45°01’N 58°44’W: a quantity of field ice. (HB 922 May 1)
Apr 23 Ice Report. Above Quebec – Still solid. Quebec to Cape Rosier- No ice. Anticosti, Westward – No ice; eastward, heavy open ice. Point Maquereau – Light open ice distant. Northumberland Strait – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Strait of Canso – Clear. Magdalen Islands, St. Paul’s Island and Cheticamp – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Meat Cove – Heavy open ice. Low Point – Heavy close packed ice distant. Cape Ray – Heavy close packed ice inshore. Cape Bay – Heavy close packed inshore. All points report ice moving south or southeast. (HH 23/04/1907 p12#5)
Apr 23 The steamer “Wasis” is at present at Sydney and will leave for Charlottetown as soon as navigation to this port is open. Charlottetown harbour from the Hillsboro Bridge down, with the exception of a few floating cakes, is now entirely clear of ice. (Ex 23 Apr p8#2)
Apr 24 SS “Marina” 47°13’N 58°38’W: encountered field ice which was more or less heavy until Apr 25, 48°16’N 61°16’W (HB 922 May 1)
Apr 25 Cape Tormentine – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Strait of Canso – Clear. Cheticamp – Heavy close packed in along shore; moving westward. Grosse Isle – Heavy close packed ice distant, moving westward. Amherst Island – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. St. Paul’s Island – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Low Point – Heavy close packed 12 miles distant, moving east. Cape Ray – No ice. (HH 25/04/1907 p12#5)
Apr 25 Port Mulgrave, ice jam came in today. Strait solid full. A St. Pierre fishing schooner came in with the ice and is safe to anchor. Port Hawkesbury, after clear navigation on the Strait of Canso all winter, the jam at the northern entrance broke yesterday and the ice in North Bay scattered some. The schooner “Lorraine,” of Newfoundland, passed north yesterday evening but came back this morning among the drift ice and anchored in the harbor. The Strait is full of ice, but a couple of days of southwesterly wind would open navigation north. (HH 26/04/1907 p9#4)
Apr 26 North Sydney: Harbour is nearly free of ice. Steamers passing up and down unimpeded but sailing vessels will have a little difficulty. There is considerable ice in the Gulf. (LL 27 Apr)
Apr 26 Sydney: Although strong favourable winds predominated throughout the past week, carrying a large quantity of heavy ice from Gulf of St. Lawrence, conditions are still extremely backward and ice is reported everywhere from Cape Rosier to entrances at Canso and Cabot Straits. Indications are that at least two weeks more will be required to clear and permit safe navigation. (NYMR 1 May)
Apr 26 Anticosti and Fox Point – Heavy open ice moving east. Other points no ice. Point Maquereau – Heavy open ice moving east. Escuminac – Heavy close packed ice inshore. Tormentine, Cape Traverse and Souris – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Strait of Canso – Clear. Cheticamp – Eastern harbor, clear, ice moving easterly. Low Point and Cape Ray – No ice in sight. (HH 26/04/1907 p10#5)
Apr 27 Quebec: There is considerable ice in the Gulf. The ice has come to a stand Cap Rouge [upper river?]. (LL 29 Apr)
Apr 27 Anticosti, West Point – No ice; east Point, no ice. Heath Point – Light close packed in shore. Fox Bay – Heavy open ice everywhere. Cape Tormentine – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cape Traverse – Ice appears rotten on this side of the Strait. Souris – Heavy close packed on north side, some open water on south side. Strait of Canso – Full of drift ice. Magdalen Islands, Cape St. Lawrence, Meat Cove and St. Paul’s Bay – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Low Point – Heavy open ice distant. Cape Ray – No ice. (HH 27/04/1907 p16#5)
Apr 27 The “Minto” left Pictou this morning and was to have attempted to reach Charlottetown. Off Caribou heavy ice was encountered and the steamer immediately headed for Georgetown. The steamer “Stanley” should now be given the opportunity of opening Charlottetown to navigation. (Ex 27 Apr p8#2)
Apr 27 Heath Point: light close packed ice inshore. Fox Bay: heavy open ice everywhere. Cape Tormentine: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cape Traverse: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Mulgrave: some drift ice in Strait. Cheticamp: ice 2 miles from shore, moving eastward. Cape St. Lawrence: heavy open ice everywhere. Low Point: heavy close packed ice distant. Cape Ray: no ice. (HB 922 May 1 CSS)
Apr 28 North Sydney: Heavy ice from the Cape Breton coast blocking it for miles. 3 steamers damaged. (NYMR)
Apr 28 SS “Ottawa” at Montreal, via Halifax from Liverpool reports: left Halifax 3 am 28th ultimo, met the first ice 4 pm of the same date 10° [sic=miles?]south of Scatari Is., steamed 90° to the ESE and got round it, came in on the north side of Cabot Strait and met the ice again at 3 pm of the 29th 36° [sic] SE of Cape Ray. It set in thick fog at midnight of the 28th and continued until 6 am of the 1st. We then entered the ice and found the thickest 10° SE of Port Basques, from there to Bird Rocks met heavy floes with clear water between. Saw the last of the ice 15° [sic] NW of Bird Rocks. (NYMR 8 May)
Apr 29 North Sydney: As a result of encountering heavy ice which blocks the Cape Breton coast for miles there are 3 damaged steamers in port. (LL 8 May)
Apr 29 Sydney, as a result of the encounter with the Gulf ice no fewer than three damaged steamers are now in port at North Sydney. The steamer “Agnar” had a big hole punched forward of her forepeak. The discovery was only made when she was being unloaded at the pier yesterday. Had the hole been made a little further aft, there is no doubt the steamer would have been sunk. The latest arrival in damaged condition was the Norwegian steamer “Hirundo” which arrived last night from Cardiff. Yesterday she struck ice off the coast, and as a result several of her plates are started. This morning she pulled into Dominion wharf about six feet of water in her forward part. Before leaving Cardiff the “Hirundo” had ten new plates put on. (HH 30/04/1907 p7#3)
Apr 29 Charlottetown harbour open. (Pat 21 Apr 1923 p 6#4)
Apr 30 SS “Corinthian” in 46°41’N 58°4’W heavy field ice as far as could be seen in fog. (LL 27 May)
Apr 30 Ice Report. Above Quebec – Ice still solid. Quebec to Anticosti- No ice. Traverse – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Strait of Canso – Some drift ice. Port Hood Bay – Full of drift ice. Cheticamp – Heavy ice along Magdalen Islands and St. Paul’s Island, fog. Cape St. Lawrence – Heavy close packed everywhere. Low Point and Cape Ray – Heavy close packed distant. (HH 30/04/1907 p12#5)
Apr 30 SS “Ontarian” 46°52’N 57°57’W: saw heavy field ice. (HB 925 May 22)
May 1 Liverpool: Steamer from Liverpool to Montreal working way through heavy pack and field ice extending right across Cabot Strait from Cape Breton to Cape Ray. (LL 18 May)
May 1 – 4: SS “Corinthian” from 47°N 58°10’W to 48°38’N 60°10’W passed through field ice. (LL 27 May)
May 2 Havre: The Newfoundlander “Galatee” from La Cancale has arrived at Louisburg, CB where she is waiting the disappearance of ice. (LL 4 May)
May 2 SS “Bellane” in 46°30’N 59°10’W heavy field ice from W through N to E with patches of open water. May 4: in 47°43’N 60°33’W cleared field ice. Round Bird Rock and Magdalen Island close packed ice. (LL 24 May)
May 2 Sydney: Heavy icefields are still present off the coast and cause much detention to shipping. The Gulf of St. Lawrence shows signs of breaking, and quantity of ice is diminishing, and becoming more open. (NYMR 8 May)
May 2 Gulf of St. Lawrence Pilot: .. The [Cabot] strait was full of pack ice, and there was apparently no passage through. (CIS IC1003)
May 2 Cheticamp – Gulf yet full of ice. Margaree – Ice moving out from the coast. Mabou – Ice going north rapidly; very little of coast visible to-day. Malpeque Bay – partly clear of ice which is moving off shore. Port Daniel, Que – floating ice in bay again. (HH 02/05/1907 p12 bottom)
May 3 SS “Sardinian” at Halifax from London to Montreal unable to enter the St. Lawrence on account of the ice. She passed 3 steamers supposed to be the “Vancouver”, “Ontario” and “Ionian” fast in the ice. (NYMR)
May 3 Quebec: Navigation entirely free. (LL 3 May)
May 3 River St. Lawrence – Clear of ice from Montreal to Cape Rouge. Anticosti – Westward no ice. Heath Point – Heavy close packed inshore. Fox Bay – Heavy close packed inshore. Cape Tormentine – Heavy close packed everywhere. Cape Traverse – Considerable open water. Magdalen Island – Heavy open ice distant. St. Paul’s Island – Open water eastward, heavy close packed in westward. Meat Cove – Heavy close packed everywhere. Low Point – Heavy open ice distant. (HH 03/05/1907 p12#5)
May 3 Navigation to Charlottetown has at last been opened. The SS “Stanley” left Pictou this morning at 6:30 direct for Charlottetown and arrived here at 10:15. She encountered ice in considerable quantities all the way across the strait. The “Minto” is expected to leave Pictou tomorrow for this port. Navigation has opened this year exactly a month later than last season, the “Minto” having made her first trip on April third. (Ex 3 May p8#2)
May 4 St. Lawrence river is now open to navigation and the first steamers arrived Montreal yesterday. (LL 4 May)
May 4 St. John’s: The liner ”Virgin” conveyed by icebreaker “Montcalm” with 4 other vessels bound for Montreal were stopped by ice floes off Cape Ray today. Ice pack extends as afar as eye can see and progress impossible. (LL 6 May)
May 4 Cape Ray, heavy close packed ice everywhere moving NE. (HB #923 May 8)
May 4 Magdalen Islands: heavy close packed ice everywhere. St. Paul Island: heavy close packed ice everywhere moving northeast. Mulgrave: Strait Canso clear of ice. Cheticamp: heavy open ice along shore moving northeast. Cape Tormentine: heavy close packed ice everywhere. (HB 923 May 8 CSS)
May 5 St. John’s: Boats attempting to enter the Gulf of St. Lawrence state that considerable ice extends from Cape Ray and it is feared that conditions within the Gulf are even more unfavourable. (LL 5 May)
May 5 SS “Lake Manitoba”: no passage between Cape Ray and St. Paul’s Rock; blocked by field ice; altered course to SE; proceeded toward Louisburg; stopped all night; no passage to westward. May 6: proceeded toward Cape Ray; no passage; stopped for night. May 7: proceeded toward St. Paul’s Island passing through broken field ice. Passed last field ice 48°10’N 60°10’W. (LL 24 May)
May 5 Sydney, the CPR steamer “Montcalm” arrived at Louisburg this afternoon to ascertain ice conditions in the gulf. She has been off Cape Race [Ray?]since Saturday awaiting an opportunity to get up the St. Lawrence. (HH 06/05/1907 p1#3)
May 5 The mild spurt of late has played havoc with the ice in Humber Arm, and Sat., was the last time it could be crossed over. 2 years ago today [1906], the winter ice broke up here, and last year [1907] it went out on May 5; but this year [1908] it broke up yesterday. (TWS 1908 pg 4, Col. 4)
May 7 Charlottetown, PEI: Harbour is again open for navigation. (LL 8 May)
May 7 SS “Ontarian” 48°03’N 60°30’W: broken field ice. (HB 925 May 22)
May 8 Anticosti, Port Maquereau, and Point Escuminac – No ice. Cape Tormentine – Heavy close packed, distant. Cape Traverse- Heavy close packed on this side. Port Hood – Scattered ice north. Magdalen Islands, Meat Cove and St. Paul’s Island – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cape Ray – Light open ice in shore. Low Point – Scattered ice distant; moving east. (HH 08/05/1907 p12#5)
May 8 Tormentine – Heavy close packed ice, distant. Cape Traverse- Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Strait of Canso – Clear. Grosse Isle – Heavy close packed, stationary. Amherst Island – Ten miles close packed ice moving west. Meat Cove – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. St. Paul’s Island – Open ice east, close packed west. Low Point – Heavy close packed distant. Cape Ray – No ice in sight. (HH 10/05/1907 p12#5)
May 9 Halifax: SS “Virginia Lake” arrived at North Sydney from Port au Basque yesterday having passed through an immense field of closely packed ice. She reports the “Montcalm” in heavy ice off Cape North and is supposedly on its way to relieve a steamer stuck in the ice off St. Paul’s Island. (LL 21 May & NYMR 15 May)
May 9 SS “Hibernian” 47°35’N 59°32’W saw large quantities of pack and field ice extending ~20 miles. (LL 24 May)
May 9 SS “Tunisian” off Cape Ray as far as could be seen to NW and SW much field ice. (LL 29 May)
May 9 The steamer “Empress” which left Charlottetown at 4:00 yesterday morning, succeeded in reaching Summerside at 2:15 p.m. This is the latest opening of that harbour for many years. Much ice was encountered on the way up, most of it in fields making navigation very difficult. The steamer will leave for Point du Chene as soon as that harbour is known to be free of ice. (Ex 9 May p8#2)
May 9 SS “Tunisian”: off Cape Ray, passed through a large quantity of field ice. (HB 925 May 22)
May 9 SS “Ottawa” 46°57’N 59°W: saw field and pack ice stretching across Cabot Strait. (HB 926 May 29)
May 9-13 SS “Hibernian” reports Gulf of St. Lawrence to Cape Race passed quantities of pack ice and numerous bergs of various sizes. (LL 22 May)
May 10 Sydney: Backward conditions, with light variable winds obtained in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Eastern Nova Scotia throughout the past week. Heavy ice continues from Cabot Strait across to Scatarie; Spanish Bay is clear throughout. In Northumberland Straits the heavy ice shows indications of breaking, but has blocked the northern entrance to Canso all this week. Cape Ray northerly to Anticosti, fairly clear, but all shipping has suffered detention. (NYMR 15 May)
May 10 SS “Devona”: 47°30’N 59°35’W, to May 11, 47°55’N 60°40’W, steamed through thin open field ice which extended north and south as far as could be seen. (HB 925 May 22)
May 10 SS Philae”: approaching Cabot Strait, passed through a quantity of field ice, and 48 miles W by N of Cape Ray, also passed through a large quantity of field ice. (HB 925 May 22)
May 10-11 SS “Devona” from 47°30’N 59°30’W to 47°55’N 60°40’W steamed through open field ice. Ice extending N and S as far as could be seen. (LL 24 May)
May 11 SS “Athenia” from Montreal to Glasgow reports 10:45 am to 4:45 pm from Bird Rocks to 10 miles W of Cape Ray sighted several patches of field ice setting NW. (LL 21 May)
May 11 The “Minto” reached Charlottetown today at 11:20. She met with plenty of ice all the way over. (Ex 11 May p8#2)
May 11 SS “Kensington”: off Chaleur Bay, saw field ice stretching to the southward as far as could be seen. (HB 925 May 22)
May 11 SS “Athenia”: from off Bird Rocks to 10 miles West of Cape Ray, passed several large patches of field ice. (HB 927 Jun 5)
May 12 SS “Englishman” 46°35’N 58°45’W: entered heavy field ice and cleared it May 13, 46°57’N 59°04’W. (HB 925 May 22)
May 12 SS “Virginian”: from Bird Rocks to Cape Ray, saw heavy field ice extending as far as could be seen to the SW. (HB 927 Jun 5)
May 13 Sydney, the report received today shows that ice conditions off the coast are rapidly improving, and that if the present trend of wind continues to prevail it will be but a matter of time before navigation to and from this port can be resumed with absolute freedom. The steamer “Virginia Lake” arrived this morning from Port Aux Basque shortly after eleven o’clock and reports that although she steamed through forty miles of ice without much difficulty, she found heavy and close packed ice about five miles in width close to the Cape Breton coast. This it is learned is now loosening up. The “Virginia Lake” reported the steamer “Harlaw” which left North Sydney on Saturday morning for Channel, Newfoundland, still in the ice. The Russian volunteer cruiser “Smolinsk” arrived at the international pier at eleven o’clock this morning. It is stated that she had little if any difficulty steaming through the ice and it is assumed that she is specially equipped for difficulties of that kind. The ice breaker “Montcalm” reports that she was in communication with the “Virginian,” which left Montreal with the English mails on Friday last and states that the Allan liner passed the southern coast of Newfoundland freely and with no interruptions from ice. The Low Point plot station reports that the ice was rapidly leaving the coast, and that if the present wind prevailed it would disappear in the course of a day or two. (HH 14/05/1907 p2#4)
May 13 The “Empress” did not return to Summerside last night, but came over this morning reaching there at ten o’clock. Owing to the large amount of ice in the strait. (Ex 13 May p8#2)
May 13 Cape Traverse: very little ice and strait full [of] light open ice [to the] west. Souris: ice very heavy north side. Cape St. Lawrence: heavy open ice moving west. Meat Cove: heavy open ice everywhere. St. Paul Island: light open ice distant. Cape Ray: No ice. Low Point: heavy close packed ice 2 miles distant moving southeast. Point Amour: light open ice moving east. (HB 924 May 15 CSS)
May 13 SS “Englishman”: from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., steering to the eastward of field ice off St. Paul Island. (HB 925 May 22)
May 13 SS “Cassandra”: between Cape Ray and Bird Rocks, passed through light field ice. (HB 926 May 29)
May 13: SS “Corinthian” a few patches of light field ice 6 miles off Cape Ray. (LL 27 May)
May 14 Charlottetown, the ice which still persistently hangs about the Straits of Northumberland is keeping a number of fishing schooners in Souris and Georgetown __? cannot sail because of drifting ice. The “Empress” on the Summerside, Pt Duchene route, has to leave the island at daylight in order to reach Pt. Duchene, so that the regular service has not yet been arranged on that route. (HH 15/05/1907 p1#7)
May 14 SS “Manchester Importer” 47°30’N 58°40’W: saw a large iceberg, and in the vicinity of Cape Ray and Bird Rocks, saw field ice. (HB 925 May 22)
May 15 Cape Tormentine – Clear, northwest no ice. Cape Traverse – Clear, northwest, very little ice. Souris – Heavy, close packed ice on north side, apparently extending to Cape Breton coast. Cape Ray – Light, open ice inshore. Low Point – Heavy, close packed ice, distant. (HH 15/05/1907 p12#5)
May 16 SS “Smolensk” 46°15’N 59°41’W to 45°40’N 58°15’W saw field and pack ice. (HB #928 Jun 12)
May 16 Cape Tormentine – Heavy close packed, distant. Cape Traverse- Very little ice in sight. Strait of Canso – Clear. Port Hood – Large quantity of drift to north. Cheticamp – Heavy ice along shore, stationary. Magdalen Islands – Two miles ice along shore, stationary. Cape St. Lawrence – Heavy close packed ice everywhere, moving northwest. Meat Cove – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. St. Paul’s Island – Light open ice distant. Cape Ray – No ice in sight. Low Point – Heavy close packed five miles distant moving south. (HH 16/05/1907 p12#5)
May 16 The “Minto” arrived today at 10:20. The steamer reports a good deal of ice yet in the strait and was obliged to come around the east end of Pictou Island. (Ex 16 May p8#2)
May 17 Cape Traverse- No ice in sight. Cape Tormentine – Heavy open ice distant. Souris – North side packed with ice also around East Point. Mulgrave – No ice in sight. Port Hood – Large quantity of drift ice between here and Cheticamp. Grosse Isle – One mile ice along shore, moving south. Amherst Island – No ice. Meat Cove – Light open ice everywhere. St. Paul’s Island – Light close packed ice distant. Cape Ray – No ice. Low Point – Heavy close packed everywhere, moving south east. (HH 17/05/1907 p12#5)
May 17 Louisburg, owing to the lateness of the drift ice on the coast the inhabitants of Scatteri are running short of provisions. They cannot get any flour at Main-a-dieu; no vessels having yet arrived there with spring supplies of the merchants and the ice prevents them from getting to Glace Bay, Morlen or Sydney. Yesterday some men arrived here thinking they would get the SS “Sea Bird” to take supplies out to the island, but the vessel had sailed for Gabarus before they got here. Tea, flour, and sugar is mostly needed by the residents of the island. (HH 18/05/1907 p1#5)
May 17 Port Hawkesbury, Captain May arrived last night with the cruiser “Constance” and reports meeting considerable ice in Northumberland Strait with quite a heavy field between Pictou Island and PE Island. His arrival here last year was about a month earlier. (HH 18/05/1907 p15#4)
May 18 SS “Bergenhus” arrived Louisburg reports heavy field ice off the Cape Breton coast. Saw SS “Dominion” from Montreal 15th outside Sydney harbour. Entrance was blocked with ice and steamers could not enter. (LL 28 May)
May 18 Rexton, NB:- Strait of Northumberland is still blocked with ice. Schooners that sailed from here for Charlottetown last week only got as far as Shediac. (NYMR 29 May p. 10, col. 4)
May 18 SS “Southwark” 45°49’N 57°45’W: saw large patches of field ice stretching to the southward and to SE of St. Paul Island. (HB 926 May 29)
May 19 Lat 41°42’N lon 59°50’W three icebergs. (NYMR 29 May p. 10, col. 4)
May 20 Glace Bay, the ice is commencing to leave the coast and stretches continuously for about forty miles out. The Dominion Coal company by reason of the blockade for the past few weeks are nearly 250,000 tons of coal behind in shipments compared with former years. (HH 21/05/1907 p1#6)
May 20 Souris: north side appears clear of ice, large quantity off East Point. Low Point: heavy close packed ice everywhere outside, scattered inshore. Cape St. Lawrence: light open ice distant. Point Amour: straits full of light ice. (HB 925 May 22 CSS)
May 21 Cape Traverse, Cape Tormentine, Strait of Canso, Magdalen Islands and Meat Cove – No ice. Port Hood – Ice moving north. Cape St. Lawrence – Light, open ice, distant. St. Paul’s Island, Cape Ray and Low Point – Fog. (HH 21/05/1907 p10#5)
May 21 SS “Cervona”: SW of St. Paul Island, saw field ice. (HB 926 May 29)
May 22 The schooner “Bohemia”, owned by Hollett Bros., frozen in the ice all winter at Woman Cove, Middle Arm, was driven ashore on May 12 by drift ice. This vessel was chartered last fall for Mr. Robertson, of St. John, N.B., to take a cargo of frozen herring to market, but when about 450 brls. were put on board, she got caught in the ice, and there she remained until it broke up. (TWS, p.4).
May 22 The SS “Harlaw” came into port Sunday afternoon, being thirteen days out from Halifax, two of which she spent trying to butt through a barrier of ice at the entrance to Bonne Bay. (TWS, p.4).
May 22 The drift ice which filled Bay St. George for several days, moved off this week, and herring fishers are now very busy getting their gear in the water. (TWS, p.4).
May 23 Quebec: SS “Nancy Lee” now at Chicoutami experienced considerable delay and damage from ice in the Gulf. (LL 4 Jun)
May 23 Quebec: SS “Otta” was in the ice 10 mi S of St. Paul’s Is. today. (LL 4 Jun)
May 24 Cape Traverse, Cape Tormentine, Strait of Canso, Port Hood, Magdalen Islands and Cape Ray – No ice. Cheticamp – Heavy open ice distant, moving northeast. Meat Cove – Light open ice inshore. Saint Paul’s Island – Light close packed ice, distant. Low Point – Heavy close packed, three miles distant. (HH 24/05/1907 p10#5)
May 25 Low Point, heavy close packed ice distant, scattered in Spanish Bay and inshore. (HB #926 May 29)
May 26 North Sydney: Schooner “Flora W. Sperry” from Trinity, NF for here was crushed in the ice 45 miles off Scatterie. Capt. and crew landed here today. (LL 7 Jun)
May 26 French fishing vessel “Lorraine” which was crushed in the ice and foundered 30 miles off Sow [Low?] Point. French schooner “ Fauvette” picked up crew and landed at North Sydney June 8. (LL 19 Jun)
May 26 Sydney, the Cape Breton coast is again blocked with ice. For the past two days a strong wind from the north drove the ice down the straits and to-night it is closely packed along the shore. The steamer “Crown of Allenore,” which arrived from Barbadoes for Montreal was delayed twenty-four hours in the ice field before being able to enter went out this morning but had to put back as also the “Catalone” and “Phoenix,” coal laden for Montreal. The government steamers “Arranmore,” which has been taking bunker there, left to place buoys around the coast but on account of ice was obliged to return, and is now anchored in the stream. The “Montcalm” reports ice pretty heavy, but well broken up. The steamer, thought to be the “Dargi,” from Charlottetown, to Sydney, is caught in the ice off this coast. The ice extends out only about five miles. The Dominion, from Montreal to Sydney, is outside waiting for a chance to get in. The schooner “Flora W Sperry” 95 tons from Trinity Bay to North Sydney, —ty days out, foundered on Wednesday last off Scatterie Island. The vessel had been buffeted by adverse winds, by ice and storms, all this time, only to be crushed between two huge ice pans when within a short distance of the coast and sent to the bottom in the space of a few minutes. The crew had barely time to launch a boat and throw in some provisions, when the vessel went down, leaving the men with their boat upon the ice floe. For over twenty hours they drifted about unable to make land on account of the immense drifts, which on many occasions came near crushing the frail craft and drowning its occupants. (HH 27/05/1907 p1)
May 27 Vessels arriving at St. John’s, Nfld, report a large number of icebergs and ice floes sweeping south over the Grand Banks into the track of the trans-Atlantic steamers. Immense floes are also reported off the northern coast and off Labrador. Similar conditions prevail on the western coast fronting on the Gulf of St. Lawrence. (HH 27/05/1907 p12#4)
May 28 Cape Traverse, Cape Tormentine, Strait of Canso, Port Hood, Magdalen Islands, Cape St. Lawrence, Meat Cove, Saint Paul’s Island and Cape Ray – No ice. Low Point – Heavy close packed, ice in shore, stationary, extending from Ciboux Island to Flint Island about four miles wide. No ice outside. (HH 28/05/1907 p12#5)
May 28 Sydney, at noon today Low Point reported the following ice conditions: Light easterly, and southeasterly winds since midnight have improved ice conditions. Ice is slackening and extending slowly out towards Point Aconi. Steamer “Dorgi,” which since Sunday has been fast in the ice just outside Low Point, has worked into port. The “Montcalm” came out through ice at eight o’clock yesterday evening, and along with the Dominion, “Sygna Savoy,” is lying off here about two miles. The “Catalone” and “Crown of Arramore” are still off North Sydney. Should the present conditions continue, the steamers should be able to work their way through by the evening. (HH 29/05/1907 p11)
May 31 St. John’s: The Gulf is still heavily encumbered with ice which is preventing the fishing fleet from reaching Labrador. (LL 1 June)
May 31 Schooner “Guardian” from Bonaventure, NF to Sydney, CBI sunk by ice off North Sydney. (PR)
May 31 [Cable Ship] “Mackay-Bennett”: ice is reported around the northeast side of Cape Breton Island in large quantities. (HB 927 Jun 5)
Jun 1 North Sydney: Schooner “Guardian” cut through by ice and sank in 5 fathoms of water off the harbour. (LL 3 Jun). 2 miles north of Cranberry Head. (LL 10 Jun)
Jun 3 Point Amour: scattered ice all over straits, few bergs. (HB 927 Jun 5)
Jun 10 Philadelphia: Telegram today all ice has disappeared from Louisburg and Sydney. None can be seen. (LL 19 Jun)
Jun 10 First Westbound steamer through the strait of Belle Isle. (WBB)