Above normal +1. (M).
A large volume. (GR).
A body of ice on April 15th, met by French bankers. May 4th, a large body 4556’N 4750’W. (GR).
Northern ice at St. John’s arrived Feb 19th, departed Apr 16. (GR).
At Ferryland, drift ice arrived Feb 18th and cleared away by Apr 8. (JW in GR).
May 27th, heavy ice 150m of Battel Harbour, Labrador. Jun 22nd, heavy ice off Cape St. John, 400 sail detained. Jul 12th, SS “Plover” could only reach Fogo. Belle Isle strait clear Jun 28th, but heavy ice blocked Cape Norman and Cape Bauld. Jun 9th, large body of ice eastward of Belle Isle. (GR).
The ice prevented landing on the east coast before the 19th May. (CH/GR).
Sealing fleet had to cut its way out of St. John’s harbour. (JEC).
Twillingate Diary starts May 1, regular arrivals and departures during the month, some sealers clean or with few seals.(#509).
Mission Ship “Harmony” saw many icebergs 130m off the coast of Labrador but the drift ice bordering the coast to a distance of 40m did not impede her progress. (EW).
“Icebergs.-In view of the remarkable number of icebergs and extensive fields of ice which have been reported off the banks of Newfoundland, the following table has been compiled from such marine reports as have fallen under the notice of this office. The quantity of ice reported has been greater than that of any year since 1875. In this connection, the following meteorological notes are of interest: Maritime Register, June 9th.-“The past winter in southern Greenland has been very severe and stormy.” ….. Large iceberg reported by steamer “Nederland”, June 21st in 4012’N 4418’W, is probably one of the most southerly ever reported in that longitude.” (MWR June 1880).
See MWR June for monthly limits.
NYMR (except as noted):
January/February
Jan — St. John’s, Nfld: “Norman Monarch” from New Haven (Connecticut) for Bretts Cove, has arrived here, prevented reaching its destination by ice. (LL).
Jan 15 St. John, N.B: Miramichi, a survey has been held on the barque “Miramichi” in Bay Desverte. Several of her planks are cut through by the ice and considerable damage along both sides results from chafing….. (LL).
Feb 3 The Master of the SS “Sardinian” arrived here from Baltimore, reports having passed ice coming down on Jan 27 three bergs 60 miles N of St. John’s, and ice in 48N on the Banks. (LL).
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 Halifax: In 4850’N 4457’W, the SS “Austrian” reports having sighted large quantities of field ice to Westward, and altered ships course to Southward to get clear of it. On the 15th, in 4626’N 4748W, she passed a large berg and two small ones. (LL).
Feb 14 Cow Bay, Cape Breton is clear of ice. (LL).
Feb 19 Rotterdam: The SS “Mass”[?] arrived here from New York, reports as follows; on the 19th of Feb. in 4452’N, 482’W, passed an iceberg about 80 feet high with some pieces of ice around it and breakers between them, so that we supposed the whole to be of great extent. (LL).
Feb 21 Issue: The “Glover” in consequence of the quantity of ice in the Bay on 18th and on subsequent days was not able this week to make her customary trip to the Cove (HGS). (PL).
Feb 23 Schooner “Constance” put into Fayal, prevented from getting closer to St. John’s than 14 miles.
Feb 24 The SS “Iowa” from Liverpool to Boston in 47N 48W passed an iceberg about 50 feet high and about 200 feet long, and on the same day saw another about 100 feet high and 400 to 500 feet in length. (LL).
Feb 26 SS “Ethiopa” 4608’N 4908’W passed several pieces of ice.
Feb 26 Mention of ice off St. John’s. (PL).
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 27 The SS “Newfoundland”, after a long detention in the ice, arrived St. John’s from Halifax on 25th. (Newf.).
Feb 28 Issue: The SS “Newfoundland” having sustained injury to her cutwater on her passage from Halifax had to undergo repairs before leaving (ice ?). (PL).
March
Mar — St. John’s: SS “Xanthus” from Peterhead for whale fishery has put in here on account of ice. (LL).
Mar — New York: There are three dangerous bergs in 4354’N 4535’W. There is also ice in 44N 47W. (LL).
Mar 2 Weather turned mild, SW winds given the ice round about a good offing. (Newf.). Mar 5 Halifax, N.S: The Brig. “Violet” from Figueira for St. John’s (Nfld) has put in here and reports that she made the run to Cape Race in 17 days, and arrived Feb 5th; then encountered Westerly gales; was blown off the coast 3 times and was in heavy ice for 13 days; lost several; the longboat was stove, and the bows were badly chafed. (LL).
Mar 6 Halifax: Barquentine “Violet” from Figueria, reported by telegraph as having put in here leaky, having been in contact with ice. (LL).
Mar 9 SS “Plover” arrived 7th (see PL). (Newf.).
Mar 11 The SS “Averill” from Bristol to Liverpool in 4630’N 4740W passed a large iceberg from 40 to 60 feet long. (LL).
Mar 12 The steamer sealing fleet left here and the outports 10th. Some of the St. John’s steamers were caught off the harbour in the ice but got clear next day. (Newf.).
Mar 15 SS “Fernville” left Hartlepool for Boston. Hit berg and sank, crew landed at St. Pierre. (see MMR)
Mar 18 New York: The SS “Newfoundland” arrived at Halifax yesterday from St. John’s (Nfld) she made her way from Cape Race to St. Whitehead. The sealing fleet left St. John’s Mar 7 for the ice. (LL).
Mar 21 First arrival from the ice having taken seals with about 10 other steamers near Bonavista. (Newf.).
Mar 22 “Plover” arrived from the westward reporting heavy ice to the south of Cape Race. (PL).
Mar 22/23 SS “Pierrmont”, from West Hartepool to Boston on March 20th encountered ….. on the 22nd and the 23rd passed through large quantities of ice, which extended all the way across the Grand Banks. (LL).
Mar 23 Issue: Harbour tightly frozen over; 6 steamers are reported off Ferryland and 10 off Cape Bonavista. (PL).
Mar 23 SS “Xanthus” reports having been driven in the ice 90m to the SE of Cape Race and only got clear on the 20th when a heavy swell hove through the ice. Could see 5 steamers. ( PL).
Mar 23 SS “Rotterdam” from New York to Rotterdam 4413’N 5451’W was steaming through floating ice, among which were large and thick ice fields the floes of which had a thickness of 2 to 3 feet. In 4330’N 4830’W the vessels got out. She afterwards passed two icebergs. (LL).
Mar 24 Halifax (NS): Navigation of the Straits of Northumberland has been very difficult of late and is now completely filled with ice floes. (LL).
Mar 24 SS “Canopus” from Boston to London passed through ice from 4 am till 2 pm, 44N 4951’W. (LL).
Mar 25 Issue: 11 steamers in vicinity of Gull Is. without any seals. The “Iceland” has been as far as Graos Is. (from Gull Is.) and reported nothing but slob. No heavy ice in the vicinity of Gull Is. (PL).
March 25 The SS “Spain” from Liverpool to New York passed an iceberg 4320’N 4940’W. (LL).
Mar 25-26 SS “Rhwindda” encountered heavy drift ice & upwards of 100 bergs; heavy floe stove in both bows. Ship cleared ice 4525’N 49W having come through 180m of it. (MMR).
Mar 26 SS “Fernville” hit berg 46N 48W filled and sank following morning. (MMR).
Mar 26 SS “Rhwindda” holed in bow by drift ice from NY to Cardiff. (see MMR)
Mar 26 Halifax (NS): The SS “Enmore” from Barrow for Philadalpheia put in here tonight short of coal, and reports that she had experienced a succession of heavy gales and had to lie to for 63 hours in 4330’N she fell in with a heavy field of ice off the Banks. (LL).
Mar 30 East wind packed ice off St. John’s harbour allowing seals to be taken from shore. 2 sealers 16m S by E of Cape Francis (in ice ?). (Newf.).
Mar 30 New York: The SS “Glendale” arrived here from Newport reports a fearful passage all the way, and would recommend steamers taking the lane track to Europe to keep a good look out for the ice. She passed numerous bergs on the SE edge of the Grand Banks, some of them apparently a half mile in circumference. (LL).
April
Apr — Report the Newfoundland Seal Fishery: There was mention of several boats that were caught in the ice and also there was mention of several vessels with good catches. (LL).
Apr — British steamer “Pierremont” has arrived with plate broken; damaged by ice; lost boats; slight repairs are necessary. (LL).
Apr 1 Austrian Barque “Achille F.” 4350’N 4952’W saw an immense field of ice and all the night was in the midst of ice. (LL).
Apr 2 North-easter has jammed the coast with ice. (Newf.).
Apr 3 Halifax (NS): “James Stewart” from Cadiz for St. John’s (Nfld), put in here yesterday, and reports having encountered heavy gales the whole passage: was jammed in the ice for 5 days on the banks and passed around 250 miles of ice; was off this point 4 days trying to get in. (LL).
Apr 3 “Labrador” passed a small berg 44N ?W.
Apr 6 “?” 4630’N immense fields of ice ? to E. 40m in length.
Apr 6 Ice jammed against the shore as far as Ferryland with people sealing from the shore. (Newf.).
Apr 6 Ice off shore, some men drifted out 25m ESE of Cape Spear. (PL).
Apr 9 SS “Newfoundland” arrived from Halifax detained by ice near Cape Race. (PL).
Apr 9 SS “Newfoundland” arrived after 4 days in the ice. (Newf.).
Apr 10 SS “Plover” arrived from westward having been jammed in ice at Trepassey. (PL). 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 12 St. Pierre (Miq): SS “Vizcano” [“Vizcane”?] of Bilbao, from New Orleans for Antwerp (corn), struck an iceberg and sank; crew picked up by the French Schooner “Concorde”, landed here the 12th. (LL).
Apr 13 Sealing schooner “R.S.C.” lost in the ice (“Heron” and “Fling” lost off Holyrood. (Newf.).
Apr 13 Issue: Topsail schooner “Fling” crushed by ice in St. Mary’s Bay and became a total wreck. Brigantine “Heron” shared the same fate at Holyrood Pond, St. Mary’s Bay; Also, the sealing brigantine “Isabella Ridley” bound for Harbour Grace hove too off the Narrows on the 12th to land the crew of Winsor’s vessel which was lost in the ice with 1,700 seals; Also, the “Great Placentian” packet while running into Placentia Roads from the westward struck the ice stoving her bows and sank, crew saved. Also, sealing voyages one of the worst on record. (PL).
Apr 13 St. John’s ( Nfld): “Fling” from Oporto and “Heron” from Barbadoes, destination here, abandoned in sinking condition; badly damaged by ice, in St. Mary’s Bay, crew saved. (LL).
Apr 14 SS “De Ruyter” 4357’N 4810’W passed an iceberg.
Apr 14 SS “Prior” 46N 47W collided with an iceberg. She was in the ice for 24 hours afterwards.
Apr 16 Ship “Comet” 45N 50W encountered large fields of ice and was fast in it for 2 days.
Apr 16 Port Au Basques: This port is blocked with ice from Cape Ray. There is also much ice in the Gulf. (LL).
Apr 17 SS “Newfoundland” arrived Halifax from St. John’s. 4 days in ice, lost 2 propeller blades.
Apr 17 “Brunette” passed several vessels fast in the ice including steamer supposed “Glensannox”, 150 miles from land.(LL).
Apr 18 SS “Aragon” 4419’N 4750’W passed several icebergs.
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; Also, the brigantine “Brunette” reports brigantine “Ariel” and English schooner “Pride of the West” in same ice where the “Glensannox” jammed (last seen 150m ESE of Cape Spear). (PL).
Apr 20 SS “Bassano” 4520’N 49W passed several large bergs; from 8pm steamed through broken ice and some small bergs; observed a sailing ship to the S apparently surrounded by ice; 21st at 2am came out of the drift.
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 21 The SS “Glensannox” arrived having got clear of the ice, in which she was jammed up, up to the previous Monday (12th ?). Several sailing vessels which were also caught in the ice arrived very much damaged.(PL).
Apr 22 Issue: We expect the SS “Caspian” now due form Liverpool has met the ice and proceeded to Halifax. (“Caspian” arrived 23rd but struck on the Wash Balls making a hole in her bow). (PL).
Apr 23 Liverpool: SS “Persian” arrived here from Boston, reports that in 45N 49W she passed an iceberg, apparently 100 feet high and 600 feet long. (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 SS “Devon” at New York reported large quantities of field ice and small bergs encountered on the Grand Banks.
Apr 24 Bark “Ebenezer” encountered heavy field ice in a voyage from Grimstadt, Norway to Halifax and was badly cut about.
Apr 24 SS “Thingvalla” from Shields to New York fell in with a lot of small icebergs, approximately 4650’N 4826’W.
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 25 SS “Sueva” passed a berg 4316’N 4928’W.
Apr 26 SS “Leutonia” from Portland passed 4 large icebergs in 43N 49W. (LL).
Apr 27 SS “Oder” passed 1 iceberg 444’N 4352’W; passed 2 bergs 4355’N 4032’W.
Apr 27 Bathurst (NB): The harbour here is clear of ice and the weather is quite springlike. (LL).
Apr 29-May 2 Halifax, NS: The SS “Morawan” from Liverpool for Quebec, Apr 29th 4520’N 4515’W passed an iceberg and the following day met with floating and field ice. 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 1 SS “Iowa” from Liverpool to Boston in 4248’N 4915’W passed 6 icebergs and on the 2nd saw another iceberg about 70 feet long and 40 to 50 feet high. (LL).
May 1 “Thordean” from Genoa for Quebec was totally lost in the ice during a gale on the South Coast of Newfoundland; crew saved. (LL).
May 3 SS “Main” 4334’N 4915’W passed different icebergs.
May 3 SS “Tarfia” for Liverpool passed an iceberg in 42N 51W, 2 1/2 miles to the N 25 to 30 feet high; in 42N 50W passed a large iceberg about 2 miles to the S, 80 feet high and 400 feet long. (LL).
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 6 SS “Weser” approximately 4319’N 39W passed a berg.
May 6 St. Pierre: Norwegian Barque “Gudrun” from Dram for Miramichi got into the ice and had rudder carried away…. (LL).
May 7 SS “Ethiopia” approximately 4702’N 4616’W field ice extending SE by E; 8th, noon? 4454’N 4905’W passed 20 bergs some of huge dimensions. Last field ice and bergs 9am ?N 4822’W. (poor copy).
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 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 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 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 18 Cold east wind has been incessant for weeks (but no mention of ice). (Newf.).
May 21 Quebec: “Morning Star” from Liverpool for Quebec, has been sunk by contact with ice off Cape Ray, crew saved. (LL).
Jun 21 SS “Nederland” 4012’N 4418’W a large berg. (MWR).
Jun 22 Heavy ice in the northward. 400 vessels near Twillingate waiting to get north. (Newf.).
Sailing sealers “Elsie” and “R.S.C.” lost at seal fishery. (NW).
( A very bad sealing year).