Maximum amount +2. (M).
Very large volume. (GR).
Jan 18. SS “Sardinian” reports ice breadth off C. Race at 220m. E. (GR).
Jan 20th, heavy ice and bergs 225m E by N of St. John’s. Jan 19th, heavy ice at King’s Cove, Bonavista Bay. Feb 9th, heavy ice 80m south of Cape Race. May 1st, large bergs in 42 and 43N; 15th, floe ice in 45N banks. May 23rd, off Channel, no ice but scattered bergs. Jun 2nd, bergs in 42N banks. Jun 18th, heavy ice extending from Cape Bonavista to the Grey Islands. Jun 9th to 18th, White Bay and Notre Dame Bay full of heavy strings until Jun 26. (GR).
Apr 21st, field ice appeared in the vicinity of the Grand bank in 4414’N, perhaps crossing by 44N, with great density south. … Until Jun 18th it was impossible to enter the harbours of the east coast of Newfoundland, field ice blockading the coast from Groais island to Cape Bonavista, nor permitting a passage north. (CH in GR).
Access to St. John’s very difficult for several weeks. (GR).
Northern ice arrived St. John’s Feb 2nd, departed Apr 19th. (GR).
At Ferryland, drift ice arrived Feb 21 and on and off till Apr 6. (JW in GR).
May 15th, floe ice in a body in 45N. (GR).
Twillingate Diary: Ice around early Jan. (all broken up Jan 11). Jan 15 “Plover” could not get across the Bay for ice. 21st, report of “Plover” frozen in between Fogo and Change Is. Feb 10, 10 below zero this morning [-23C]; by end of March no mention of arrivals or departures. Much ice. Apr 11, ice breaking up in the Bight; 12th ice going out and started sailing for the ice soon after. Start returning end of April with no seals. Ice still running early June. Navigation a problem till mid-June. (#509).
MWR April Issue: ‘The “Sandusky Register” of April twenty-first, 1882, gives the following:
“A large iceberg which formed at Niagara Falls, has floated out into lake Ontario and is to be seen about one mile and a half northeast of the harbor. It has been there for several days and is attracting much attention, as it is said to be the first iceberg seen in that vicinity for the past twenty-eight years.”‘
NYMR: (except as noted)
January/February
Jan 27 Difficulty navigating through thick slob ice in narrows. (PL).
Jan 28 [Brigantine] “Terra Nova” from Harbour Grace to Valencia struck ice soon after leaving on the 26th. Gale blew up and being jammed in ice went ashore near Cripple Cove & lost. (PL).
Jan 30 SS “Glamorgan” 4730’N 4835’W passed a large iceberg about 40′ high; Feb 1, 4643’N 5224’W passed through a great quantity of field ice extending 40m in length.
Jan 31 Very cold weather even for this time of year -7 -8F [-22C]. (Newf.).
Feb 2 – 27 Bark “William” closed by ice presumably off Halifax and put into Sable Island leaking badly.
Feb 3 SS “Devonia” 47N 46W passed an iceberg.
Feb 3 Barquentine “Harriet” lost at Pouch Cove, crew made shore by ladder over ice. (Newf.).
Feb 7 SS “Kite” left here 2nd for Pools Is., returned 5th encountering heavy weather and danger from ice. (Newf.).
Feb 9 SS “Averill” 4730’N 47W came through a large quantity of field ice with several icebergs; was among it for 12 hours.
Feb 9? SS “Pollux” 4634’N 4837’W passed several bergs.
Feb 9? SS “Vandalia” 4719’N 4718’W passed a large quantity of filed ice and 2 bergs about 60′ high.
Feb 10 Issue: A German vessel “Insette” from New York to St. John’s got caught in the ice off the Southern Shore and eventually grounded and was lost off Petty Harbour Motion. (Newf.).
Feb 11 SS “Brooklyn City” 46N 46W passed several large icebergs.
Feb 11 SS “Lessing” 4640’N 4513’W passed 2 bergs.
Feb 12? SS “Australia” 4630’N 4530’W passed several large icebergs.
Feb 12 Bark “Johannes” 4650’N 4700’W passed 2 large bergs and large quantities of field ice. (MWR).
Feb 13? SS “Clintonia” in 4640’N passed 3 large bergs in the track of outward bound steamers.
Feb 15 SS “P. Callard” 4705’N 4432’W passed a large berg and large quantities of floating ice up to 4540’N 4643’W.
Feb 16 SS “Thingvalla” 4750’N 4630’W passed large quantities of ice and several bergs.
Feb 16? SS “Assyrian Monarch” 4630’N 4636’W passed a large iceberg.
Feb 16 Large iceberg aground at Cape Ballard Shoals 9m E (near Cape Race). (PL).
Feb 17 (from Catalina Feb 15): The “Eagle” has got as far as Burnt Point but cannot get in due to a heavy bar of ice across the harbour mouth. No seals during past month the Bay being full of ice. Bonavista Bay is full of ice.(Newf.).
Feb 17 SS “Ethiopia” 4710’N 4650’W passed an iceberg and large quantities of field ice.
Feb 18 SS “Newfoundland” arrived at St. John’s from Halifax reported heavy strings of ice off St. John’s.
Feb 18 SS “The Queen”, approximately 4557’N 4754’W passed a large berg and 2 hours later field ice.
Feb 18 SS “Bolivia” 4620’N 4555’W, 46N 4655’W, 4620’N 4716’W passed 3 large icebergs.
Feb 18 Bark “Nova Scotia” in 46N 49W passed through large quantities of drift ice. (MWR). Feb 19 SS “State of Indiana” 4740’N 4328’W passed a large berg.
Feb 19 SS “Cimbria” 4610N 4630’W passed ice fields.
Feb 20 SS “Plantyn” 4632’N 4725’W passed an iceberg about 100′ high and 4 hours afterwards a large ice island.
Feb 20 & 21 SS “Cornwall” between 4621’N 4140’W and 4519’N 4958’W passed 3 large icebergs and some field ice.
Feb 22 Issue: ship unable to get into Cow Bay, C.B. because of large amounts of ice in the vicinity.
Feb 22 Bark “Argonaut” 4630’N 4530’W saw a large berg about 70′ high; 24th, 4430’N 50W passed numerous pieces and one large field of drift ice.
Feb 23 SS “Helvetia” reported having met with immense fields of floating ice northward to the banks; in 47N 47W she was completely surrounded by ice. (MWR).
Feb 23 SS “New York City” 4520’N 46W passed large quantities of pack ice and several icebergs from 60′ to 300′ high. (MWR).
Feb 23 The coast is blockaded with ice and continuous North Easterly winds prevail. No arrivals are possible. (LL).
Feb 24 SS “Bavarian” 45N 48W passed a berg and large quantities of drift ice. (MWR).
Feb 24 SS “St. Germain” 4530’N 49W was in an immense ice field. (MWR).
Feb 24 Brig “Trusty” at Trepassey from Crookhaven reported having passed 300m of drift ice off Coast of Newfoundland.
Feb 25 The harbour and the coast are still blocked with ice. (LL).
Feb 25 SS “Newfoundland” reports the harbour is full of ice, only had clear water off St. Peters Banks.
Feb 26 SS “Nederland”, approx. 47N 4744’W heavy field ice. 27th, heavy ice until 4330’N. (~49W?).
Feb 26 SS “City of Lincoln” 4600’N 4754’W passed ice. (MWR).
Feb 26 SS “City of Paris” 4310’N 4900’W passed field ice and 1 small berg. (MWR).
Feb 26 SS “Palestine” 4400’N 4900’W passed large quantities of field ice and small icebergs. (MWR).
Feb 27 SS “Rialto” 4620’N 47W ran into a large quantity of field ice and in trying to steer clear stove in both bows (and was obliged to steer SE for 200m to clear the ice – MWR).
Feb 27 SS “Bulgarian” 4425’N 48W met large quantities of packed ice, with numerous outstanding icebergs; as far as could be seen by moonlight the ice formed a complete barrier from 4430’W to 43W.
Feb 27 SS “Lessing” from New York, Reports in lat 44 N lon 49 W saw large quantities of ice and several icebergs. (LL).
Feb 28 The ice pack has been hemming in our harbour well lately, a north east wind being hard at work for several days. The Dundee sealing fleet of 6 steamers have been off here the last3days awaiting entrance. The “Esquimaux” reported having been steaming through ice all the week before. (Newf.).
Feb 28 SS “Esquimaux” whaling steamer arrived at St. John’s and reports having been 13 days among vast fields of ice that stretched SE and S over 200m from the Newfoundland coast. The pack caught her tightly, and she remained in it until she drifted up to St. John’s Harbour. At last accounts 5 steam whalers were visible from Cape Spear locked in the ice and drifting helplessly southward. Between Cape Race and Cape Bonavista there are now driving southward no less than 150 icebergs, and their rate is about 2 1/4 mph -MWR.
Feb 28 SS “Persian Monarch” 4626’N 4125’W approx. great quantities of ice; Mar 1, 4456’N 4641’W fell in with large quantities of field ice; Mar 2, 4317’N 5206’W quantities of ice first part.
Feb 28 SS “Main” 4359’N 4832’W passed a large icefield. (MWR).
Feb 28? SS “Emberiza” passed a field of ice which extended from 48N to 4330’N (no lon.).
Feb 28? SS “Hermann” reported being between ice fields from 4630’N 4710’W to 4340’N 4930’W of considerable thickness, slight damage to bows.
March
Mar 1 SS “Elbe” 4446’N 4929’W fell in with several icebergs and large icefields and had to steer SW for 2 hours to clear the ice.
Mar 1 SS “Germania” 4335’N 4910’W passed large fields of ice. (MWR).
Mar ~1 SS “Rotterdam” between 4630’N 46W and 44N 52W passed 27 icebergs and had to cross an icefield.(MWR).
Mar ~1 SS “Persian Monarch” 4458’N 4641’W passed a quantity of field ice. (MWR).
Mar 1 Vast fields of ice are now stretching SE for 200 miles from NFLD. Between Cape Race and Bonavista 150 icebergs were observed drifting southward, at the rate of 2 1/4 miles hourly… (LL).
Mar 1 SS “Elbe” arrived from New York, reports that in lat 44 46′ N lon. 49 29′ W she fell in with several icebergs and large icefields. (LL).
Mar 1&2 SS “Istrian” passed through large quantities of ice extending 40-50m. (MWR).
Mar 2 SS “Amerique” 4351’N 5152’W passed an iceberg.
Mar 2 SS “Lake Champlain” 4345’N 4840’W passed large quantities of field ice and icebergs.
Mar 2 SS “Parthia” from New York, Reports the Southerly routes are free of ice. Yesterday 26 icebergs were visible from Cape Race, and completely hid the water. (LL). Mar 2 Dundee, intelligence from St. John’s reporting that 5 Dundee steamers are jammed and drifting Southwards towards Cape Race. (LL).
Mar 3 New York: Steamers arriving report immense fields of ice, extending miles, 4548’N 4748’W. SS “Circassian” steered South 2 days to clear it. The St. Germain was fast for 17 hours in the same pack. (LL).
Mar 3 Brig “Birdie”, of Alberton, PEI, Dec 24 with cargo for St. John’s arrived at Halifax having been unable to reach her destination on account of the ice off the Newfoundland Coast.
Mar 3 Bark “Plymouth” 4340’N 5026’W while on the Banks passed through about 20 m of field ice and a large number of bergs, it being quite difficult to steer through them.
Mar 3 Trinity and Conception Bays full of ice. Brig “William” from Cagihara arrived Trepassey, rough passage for 34 days, 9 of which were spent in the ice. (Newf.).
Mar 3 The arrival of the SS “Newfoundland” from Halifax cannot be looked for until the ice blockade which surrounds our coast is removed. (PL).
Mar 3 Cable reports from Newfoundland: “William” and “Arctic” from Saltport, arrived at Trepassey. Coast still very blocked with ice. (LL).
Mar 4 SS “Milan…?” at Halifax from Boston to London, ice damage to bows.
Mar 4 SS “Newfoundland”, left St. John’s Feb.14 and cleared the ice the following morning . At 11:30 pm the steamer met with heavy ice off Scatterie, and was in it until yesterday evening… (LL).
Mar 4 Trepassey, large bodies of ice ashore and the coast is entirely blocked with ice. (LL).
Mar 6 SS “Otranto” 2pm (no lat. etc) passed an iceberg of great size and from that time to 1030pm passed 16 others, and then fell in with field ice, some of the floes extending as far as could be seen; ran 5 or 6m south to clear the packs, was about 30m south of Maury’s Lane Route.
Mar 6? Bark “Leocadia” 4725’N 4930’W passed several bergs.
Mar 7 SS “Riversdale” for Liverpool, for 36 hours after leaving Halifax passed through immense quantities of field ice.
Mar 7 Coast still fast with ice. SS “Plover” left Trepassey yesterday and landed at Cape Race to have a good look at the ice surroundings before searching for the “Fruit Girl” supposed to be in his SW neighbourhood. Half a dozen vessels ice bound at Trepassey waiting for favourable winds to enable them to get here or the Bay. (Newf.).
Mar 8 SS “Oder” from 4509’N 4350’W [4850’W – MWR] to 4452’N 5003’W passed numerous icebergs and floating ice.
Mar 8 SS “Rotterdamn” and “Rialto” at New York, report passing many icebergs, with field ice, between 46N to 44N 47W to 52W. The “Rialto” went 200 miles SE, in order to clear the ice. (LL).
Mar 9 SS “Shildon” 47N 45(?)W passed through several miles of floating ice and passed numerous large icebergs sustaining some damage.
Mar 9 Reports from St. John’s state that the coast is still blocked with ice, and that the Dundee steamers still remain fast in the neighbourhood of Cape Race. (LL).
Mar 9 SS “Carrie Harvey”, from Malaga for St.John’s Nf was 58 days out and had very heavy weather. Was in ice since Feb 11 and was put in short of provisions. (LL).
Mar 10 A vessel arrived here last night reports a barquentine and a schooner in the ice near Cape Race …. Harbour Grace is still blocked with ice. (LL).
Mar 10 Bark “Compassion” 4611’N 5420’W was seen by the SS “Newfoundland” in the ice with her stern damaged.
Mar 10 SS “City of Brussels” 4230’N 50W a small berg.
Mar 10 SS “Thorne Holme” 47N 4630’W passed a large iceberg. 3 hours later forged their way through a large field of ice 5 or 6 miles long. Mar 11, 6am, passed 2 very large icebergs one of which was estimated to be 4 miles in length and very high.
Mar 11 SS “Iberian” 4558’N 4840’W passed through large quantities of field ice and several large bergs were in sight all the time.
Mar 11 SS “Hobe”, from Leghorn for St. John’s put in here on account of the ice. (LL).
Mar 11 The wind gone back to the NE, and the ice is about 10 miles off and pressing again. The sealing prospects are beginning to look gloomy. (LL).
Mar 12 SS “Donau” 4409’N 4912’W a berg & 1 hour later another one.
Mar 12? SS “Aragon” 4247’N 5020’W a large berg.
Mar 12? SS “Mosel” 4244′ 5038’W a large berg.
Mar 13 SS “Devonia” 4439’N 4736’W passed several small icebergs; same day 4421’N 4832’W passed 2 small bergs.
Mar 13 Schooner “Sisters” was driven from her moorings by the ice, and was wrecked on Bottles Cove Point, New Bay.(LL).
Mar 14 SS “Speed”, from Demerara was totally lost in the ice off Nfld; crew at St. Pierre. (LL).
Mar 14 SS “Newfoundland” arrived 12th after 9 days detention in the ice off Cape Pine. (Newf.).
Mar 14 SS “Batavia” 4329’N 4905’W a berg.
Mar 14 SS “Erin” 4231’N 5005’W an immense iceberg. Mar 14 Brig “Feodore” caught in the ice and driven ashore at Cape Spear; probably wrecked. (Later towed to St. John’s as salvage – I think).
Mar 15 SS “Lake Manitoba” 4347’N 49W passed 3 large bergs and several detached pieces of ice.
Mar 15 Brig “Amanda” in the ice in a dangerous position off C. Spear.
Mar 15 SS “Newfoundland” had difficulty leaving the wharf at St. John’s due to ice and collided with the SS “Iceland”.(LL).
Mar 16 Mail steamers for Halifax passed Cape Race last evening, having passed before the ice again closed in. (LL).
Mar 17 Brigantine “Feodore” left for Spain 14th, had just cleared the Narrows when the ice forced her against Cape Spear and she was lost. (Newf.).
Mar 17 SS “Glamorgan” 4335’N 4910’W passed a large berg 300′ long and 80′ to 100′ high.
Mar 18 SS “Salier” 4404’N 4753’W several [large] bergs.
Mar 19 SS “Limosa” 4630’N 4730’W passed through heavy field ice. Reported seeing ice as far south as 4330’N. (stove stbd bow – #93)
Mar 19 Bark “Vista” had bows stove in, attempting trip to Harbour Grace from St. John’s but couldn’t because of ice blockade.
Mar 20 St. John’s, NF prospects continue gloomy. The wind changed yesterday and started the ice off from the headlands, but the bay and harbour are still blocked. The Dundee steamer “Resolute” was seen from the Blockhouse today forcing out through the pack. The Harbour Grace fleet of 2 steamers and 9 sailing vessels are firmly stuck inside the mouth.
Mar 21 Still frequent easterly winds and ice jams. (Newf.).
Mar 23 SS “Velant” from Montreal, reports that heavy ice was moving inward as she came round Cape Spear. (LL).
Mar 23 SS “Wolf” from Greenock, reports that the vessels of the other fleet were practically clean as a result of being in contact with the ice. (LL).
Mar 24 Schooner “Fruit Girl” arrived at Burin after a passage of 107 days from Liverpool. She reported having been jammed in the ice several weeks during which the crew were reduced almost to starvation.
Mar 26 Bark “Antwerp” passed a large berg and on the same day a large field of ice. On the 27th saw over a dozen bergs. (from Dublin to St.John, NB).
Mar 27? Ship “M P Grace” 4947’N 3952’W (from San Fransisco to New York!) saw large quantities of ice. Starboard bow cut through.
Mar 28 Bark “Fremad” from Carthegenia passed through a large field of ice. [2 days sail from New York on the 21st – MWR].
Mar 28 2 Brigs jammed in the ice 30m SW of Cape Pine, seen by SS “Newfoundland”. She reports heavy ice everywhere on the coast and the movements of the sealers will be much retarded by it. The Harbour Grace fleet is still jammed.
Mar 28 Conception Bay steamers still waiting for an opening. (Newf.).
Mar 28 Dundee sealing steamer “Resolute” jammed in the ice in Conception Bay. (LL).
Mar 29 Issue: Navigators of the North Atlantic should keep a sharp lookout for ice floes, broken ice and icebergs when between the latitudes of 40 and 50 and longitudes 40 and 60. Much ice has been seen between these points by incoming vessels and the movement of ice is both early and heavy.
Mar 30? SS “Ayrshire” reported having sighted an iceberg of immense size when off the Banks of Newfoundland and a large quantity of drift ice was passed through.
Mar 31 Bark “Solid” supposed to have been struck by a heavy floe and sunk about 50m SW of Cape Pine.
Mar 31 Schooner “Promise” sank 45m SW of Cape Pine after struck by large ice floe.
Mar 31 A favorable change has commenced, and ice is breaking up all over conception Bay. The Harbour Grace sealing fleet is expected to be free from the pack ice this evening. (LL).
April
Apr — SS “Arctic” damaged in ice off the Horse Islands. (JF).
Apr 1 Brig “Queen of Beauty”, from Liverpool to St. John’s, was 46 days in ice trying to reach port. That being impossible, bore up for Halifax. Some damage.
Apr 3 The Harbour Grace fleet is still confined by the ice, 16′ thick at the mouth. All hope for successful seal fishery has been abandoned and great privation in many of the outports expected. (LL).
Apr 3 There is at present over a hundred icebergs in the vicinity of Cape Race, all of enormous size. (LL).
Apr 3-5 SS “Averill” passed several large icebergs between 4555’N 4550’W and 4349’N 5256’W. (MWR).
Apr 4 Schooner left St. John’s for Lisbon, soon got into ice to the southward and her bows were driven in and she was lost. Crew and much cargo saved by “Dawn”. (Newf.).
Apr 4 Issue: The SS “Tiger” at Round Harbour very much injured by ice and unable to further prosecute her voyage. The SS “Plover” had to run into Salmonier to escape a large body of ice which was closing in on the shore. The SS “Nimrod” from Channel is probably in the ice near Cape Race. The SS “Leopard” is also reported in the ice off Cape Pine. (PL).
Apr 5 SS “Denmark” 4323 4603’W [4636’W – MWR] passed a berg.
Apr 7 SS “Merlin” 120 miles ESE of Cape Spear in ice, propeller gone and leaking. Apr 7? SS “Cohanim” from Swansea to New York reported that when near the Banks between 44N and 46N passed several large bergs.
Apr 8 SS “Hermod” 4630’N 4650’W, 4520’N 48W next day. In thick field ice and sustained damage (entry barely legible). (see #93) MWR reports on the 8th in the latter position during a strong NE gale and heavy swell, the ice began to move, crushing heavily against the side of the vessel. It finally stove in the bows, filling the fore compartment with water. Heavy icebergs were seen all around. Some were apparently 1,000′ long and 500-600′ high.
Apr 8 SS “Gloucester” 4051’N 5225’W passed an iceberg, from 120′-150′ high. (MWR).
Apr 9? SS “P. Calland” 49N then 4230’N, 49W saw several icebergs.
Apr 9 SS “Donau” 4605’N 4436’W passed a berg and on 11th in 43N 4840’W passed 3 large bergs. (MWR).
Apr 10 Bark “Sirrah” [“Seriah” – MWR] 4730’N 47W fell in with heavy ice fields and was surrounded for 5 days.
Apr 10 SS “Donau” 4605’N 4136’W passed a berg and on 12th in 4229’N 5537’W, 3 large bergs. (MWR).
Apr 11 SS “Cornwall” 4619’N 45W fell in with ice which continued for 24 hours.
Apr 11 – 18 Bark “M Smith Petersen” 4630’N 46W passed numerous icebergs and large quantities of field ice.
Apr 11 The SS “Newfoundland” had been jammed in the ice off C. Race (freed 8th). (PL).
Apr 11 Sealing seems to be off St. John’s and Bonavista Bay. (Newf.).
Apr 11 SS “Hermod” in 44N 4920’W found open water to the south, while to the NE and NW we had close ice. These fields of ice seem to end in 4400’N, as south of that no field ice could be discovered, even from the top gallant yards in clear weather, and a few icebergs only were seen. (MWR).
Apr 12 SS “Alaska” 4313’N 4640’W passed field ice. (MWR).
Apr 12 SS “Silesia” 4025’N 4912’W passed a berg.
Apr 13 Brig “Peerless” arrived having been detained several weeks on the coast by ice and the SS “Hercules” arrived from Conception Bay having been 10 weeks locked up in the ice jam. (Newf.).
Apr 13 Schooner “Edward Aleno(?)” crushed in ice 13m SW of C. Race.
Apr 13 SS “Salier” 4442’N 4546’W passed a large number of bergs and large quantities of field ice; 14th, 4347’N 5320’W [5220’W -MWR] passed a large berg. The “Salier” on her outward voyage in 4332’N 5015’W saw a quantity of field ice; and in 4341’N 4908’W passed an iceberg which was estimated at 300’high and 600′ long.
Apr 13 SS “Surrey” 4230’N 4905’W when had a heavy gale from the W which lasted till 14th, during which passed several large icebergs.
Apr 13 SS “Alaska” 4313’N 4640’N passed several hummocks and pieces of field ice.
Apr 13 SS “Athambra” arrived St. John’s from Halifax reported having passed through an immense field of loose ice on the passage.
Apr 13 SS “Italy” no position passed an iceberg; same date 4302’N 4650’W to 4244’N 49W passed several icebergs.
Apr 13 & 14 Brig “Freihandel” 4520’N 4530’W to 4252’N 4757’W passed 23 large bergs and a great many small ones.
Apr 14 Issue: The Harbour Grace steam and sailing fleet have at last been liberated from the ice and have succeeded in getting to sea. The steam tug has been frozen in the mouth of Conception Bay for the last 3 months. (PL).
Apr 14 Bark “Norge” 4630’N 4710’W met ice and got clear of it 43N 48W passed a large number of icebergs.
Apr 14 Ship “Roseneath” from Glasgow to Halifax was in ice almost continuously and saw a large number of icebergs, some of them 200′ in height.
Apr 15 Bark “Mary Barbara” arrived St. John’s from Cardiff. Been in the ice since Feb 1. Bows badly damaged.
Apr 15 SS “Lydian Monarch” 4325’N 4652’W passed a berg 70-80′ high.
Apr 15? SS “Oder” 4320’N 4920’W passed a berg, also one in 4255’N 4730’W.
Apr 16 SS “Braunschweig” 4307’N 4624’W passed 2 large bergs.
Apr 16? SS “Edam” 4250’N 4610’W passed 2 large bergs.
Apr 17 SS “Lady Glover” from Harbour Grace to St. John’s encountered much ice near Cape St. Francis and had her bows badly damaged.
Apr 17 SS “Queen of Beauty”, from Liverpool, arrived, the Captain reports strong variable winds and that the vessels was 46 days in the ice, trying to reach a port. (LL).
Apr 18 SS “Australia” 4321N 4807’W passed several large bergs and some loose ice.
Apr 18 SS “Lake Winnepeg” at New York from Liverpool reported having passed several icebergs and some field ice off the eastern edge of the Banks.
Apr 18 SS “Fountain’s Abbey” from Middlesborough to St. John’s met ice and had bows stove in; 22nd, cleared ice in 4430’W.
Apr 18 SS “Brantford City” 4257’N 4552’W passed a small berg. Apr 19 Steamer “Renpor” from West Hartlepool for Boston, their vessels have sunk in consequence of damage by ice sustained in the South coast of the Newfoundland. (LL).
Apr 19 & 20 SS “Nevada” 45N 45W [46W – MWR] to 43N 5150’W [51W – MWR] passed several large bergs and great quantities of field ice.
Apr 20 SS “Alhambra” at Halifax from St. John’s reported that hundreds of icebergs, some of them of enormous size, were passed on the passage. On the outward passage a large iceberg with a hut built upon it was seen 40m SW of Cape St. Marie.
Apr 20 SS “Sarmatian” from Liverpool to Halifax passed several bergs.
Apr 20? SS “Lake Champlain” 45N passed an iceberg and in 43 (?)saw several icebergs and quantities of loose ice.
Apr 21? SS “Stella” 4221’N 4200’W passed a berg 300′ long and 40′ high.
Apr 21 The SS “Newfoundland” arrived Halifax having passed through 60m of loose ice. (PL).
Apr 22? SS “Frisia” (at New York from Hamburg) 4233’N 4905’W passed 1 large and several small bergs.
Apr 22? SS “State of Nebraska” 4438’N 4449’W to 42(?)26’N 5015’W passed several large bergs and a quantity of small ice.
Apr 23 SS “Devonia” 4406’N 4841W passed a large berg; 4341’N 4920’W passed another one.
Apr 23 Ship “Glory of the Seas” 4348’N to 43N 5222’W passed icebergs and broken ice.
Apr 23 Brig “Marie Georgia”, from NY, arrived at Halifax unable to reach her destination on account of ice. She spent 15 days in the ice. (LL).
Apr 24 SS “Thingvalla” 4330’N 4745’W to 4950’W saw a great.. bergs.
Apr 24 SS “Persian Monarch” 4317’N 4840’W passed a berg.
Apr 24 SS “State of Nebraska” from 4438’N 4448’W to 4226’N 5015’W passed several bergs and a quantity of small ice. (MWR).
Apr 24 SS “Canima”, from New York via Halifax passed through a large body of ice SW of Cape Race. The weather is now fine and the ice is drifting out of the harbour and along the Southern shore. (LL).
Apr 25 Sealing Schooner “Ellen”, of St. John’s was crushed by the ice and totally wrecked off Cape Auguilla. Crew saved and landed at Channel. (LL).
Apr 25 SS “Glamorgan” 4620’N 4230’W passed an iceberg fully 500′ high on which was a number of polar bears. 26th, 4am ran into a field of pack ice and icebergs but soon got clear. A run of 20m was made to the SE when the ship was put on her course again. She steamed 160m on the southern edge of the ice field, and during that time passed fully 100 bergs on which were seen polar bears and a large number of seals.
Apr 25 SS “Kronprinz Friedrich Wilhelm” 4351’N 4739’W [4759’W – MWR] passed 2 great icebergs; 4349’N 4754’W passed 2 other large bergs.
Apr 25 SS “Daniel Steinmann” 4557’N 4342’W [4547’N 4342’W] passed a large berg and next day passed 16 other large bergs and an icefield about 1m long; from the 1st berg steered SW by W about 100m before passed the last one.
Apr 25 SS “Quebec” met heavy ice 4631’N 47W from which she did not clear until May 1; Apr 29, 4732’N 5935’W; Gulf completely blocked.
Apr 25 There has been a favourable change in the weather here [St. John’s?], and the ice is rapidly leaving this part of the coast. Navigation is now fairly open. (LL).
Apr 26 Issue: The winter of 1881-82 in the Arctic Regions has from all reports been comparatively mild. This accounts in a great measure for the numerous ice fields and bergs seen so early this season in the North Atlantic ocean.
Apr 27 SS “Valetta” arrived St.John’s from Boston reported having met ice 120m SSE of Louisburg and passed numerous icebergs scattered along the course to Cape Race.
Apr 27 SS “Brittanic” 4242’N 5155’W passed a small berg.
Apr 27 The SS “Fontaine Abbey” arrived in 21 days from Middlesborough. On the 18th she got into the ice and was unable to clear it till the 23rd sustaining damage and jettisoning 50 tons of cargo. (Newf.).
Apr 27 Bark “Pillan” 43N 44W passed several large icebergs and quantities of field ice. (MWR).
Apr 28 News of the loss of the “Pride of the West” at Red Island, Placentia Bay, having been caught in the ice some time ago, bound from Figuera to St. John’s. (Newf.).
Apr 28 SS “Arizona” 4237’N 4926’W passed small berg; 4237’N 5030’W passed a large berg.
Apr 28 SS “Polynesian” several icebergs passed in 4256’N 5058’W and others later in the day, but no field ice was seen until the day following when the ship passed a quantity. Early on the morning of Apr 30, Cape Race was sighted and at 120am gulf ice was met. Could not make progress westward so made for Halifax.
Apr 29 SS “Pensher” 46N 4630’W passed icebergs and field ice. (MWR).
Apr 29 Bark “Alaska” passed quantities of field ice and one iceberg on southern edge of the banks. (MWR).
Apr 30 Bark “Rothesay” from Christainsund to New York passed through large quantities of drift ice on passage.
Apr 30 SS “Katie” 4509’N 4652’W passed a berg about 80′ high and several other smaller ones; 4425’N 4830’W met large fields of ice very closely packed, stretching a distance of 35m from NE by N to SW by S; same time saw 40 icebergs, some of them 25′ to 125′ high…. .
Apr 30? SS “Bohemia” 4320’N 4746’W passed several bergs.
May — 3 other reports of incidents in or near the Gulf in #93.
May 1 Brig “Jessy” [“Jersey” – MWR] at St. John’s from Liverpool got clear of ice in 43N.
May 1 SS “Adriatic” in 4412’N 4536’W passed a large berg. (MWR).
May 1 SS “Jason” in 47N 46W met ice and remained in ti for 3 days; passed numerous very large icebergs.(MWR).
May 2 Issue: The coastal steamer “Plover” on her last trip to the westward sustained considerable injury through contact with the ice. (PL).
May 3 SS “Egyptian Monarch” 4252’N 4846’W passed 3 large bergs. (MWR).
May 3 SS “Otranto” 4224’N 4850’W passed several bergs. (MWR).
May 3 SS “Elysia” 4223’N 5103’W passed 3 small bergs also loose ice. (MWR).
(To see remainder of MWR iceberg sightings, see photocopy)
May 4 SS “Fountains”, from Middlesborough arrived at St. John’s with bows stove in by ice. (LL).
May 4 SS “Texas” arrived in Channel, Captain reports the Gulf blocked with ice. (LL).
May 5 Steamer “Leopard”, from the seal fishery was jammed in Placentia Bay ice until Saturday last. (LL).
May 5 SS “Lake Manitoba” at Halifax from Liverpool was detained 4 days by ice. She passed about 130m of ice outside and 100m inside of Cape Ray. She saw 2 steamers and 1 ship in the ice to the S of Cape Race.
May 6 SS “Polynesian”, has put in to coal; prevented getting up the Gulf by ice. (LL).
May 9 “Lillan”, reports meeting immense ice fields and innumerable huge icebergs off St. John’s. Some of them are in the track of the Atlantic steamers. (LL).
May 9 SS “Polino” forced through field ice 6m broad, extending from Newfoundland to Cape Breton. Steamers report that the Cape Breton coast is blocked by ice. (MWR).
May 9 The first vessels are arriving from the seal fishery and report having found an interminable stretch of ice about 20 miles broad along the Labrador coast., without an opening through which a Harbour or Bay could be entered.(LL).
May 10 Telegrams from St. John’s state that there are 45 sailing vessels and 8 steamers caught in the ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. (#93).
May 10 SS “Polaria” 4259’N 4655’W passed a quantity of ice. (MWR).
May 11 SS “Volo” from Cardiff which arrived at noon, had favorable weather and met no field ice, but passed several icebergs on the banks. (LL).
May 18 Reports of scattered ice around St. John’s, poor seal fishery, ice is now passing. (LL).
May 20 Advices from Placentia Bay state that several vessels are still jammed in the ice there, and some are very short of provisions. (LL).
May 21 Reports state that vessels are still locked in the ice at Cape Race. (LL).
May 22 Bark “Nimbus” in 44N 46W sailed through 200m through fields of ice and passed several icebergs.
May 22 SS “Palestine” in 4226’N 5007’W passed 2 large icebergs and much field ice. (MWR).
May 22 Bark “Emile” (or “Emilie”) in 4342’N 4836’W passed hundreds of icebergs and large icefield extending from ENE to WSW. (MWR).
May 28 SS “Plover” arrived from northward reports bays still full of ice and got her bows damaged. (Newf.).
May 28 SS “Surrey” 42N 50W passed several bergs and a quantity of loose ice. (MWR).
May 28 Ship “Saint Nicholas” 4240’N 40W was in the ice 24 hours. (MWR).
May 30 SS “Friary” arrived 28th, left Newport 16th bound for New York hit a huge iceberg 25th at half speed carrying away her figure head and smashed in her bows. (Newf.).
May 31 SS “Kansas” from 42N 48W to 50W passed several icebergs and some field ice. (MWR).
June 7 Issue: first chart of icebergs in North Atlantic (p.3) showing extent of ice for April 1882: Easternmost – 41, southernmost – 41 August 2 give ice chart for June, September 13 for July (May is also in there somewhere).
Jun 9 The “Trial” ran against a pan of ice off Lon Point and sank. (#509).
Jun 9 Bark “Alice M. Claridge” passed 7 bergs and a quantity of drift ice on the Banks. (MWR).
Jun 11 SS “Istrian” in 4230’N 50W passed several bergs and considerable drift ice. (MWR).
Jun 12 Little Bay reports heavy pack in the Bay. (Newf.).
Jun 16 SS “Pera” struck berg off Cape Race at full speed, cut her through the hull to the foremast. Crew picked up by the “Florella” about 32m SE by E of Cape Race. (Newf.).
Jun 16 Fishing schooner “Massasoit” from Gloucester to the Banks hit berg at full speed, some crew took to the boats and landed at St. John’s, other feared lost. (Newf.).
Jun 20 “Curlew” detained at Renews by ice and fog. (Newf.).
Jun 20 SS “Asdrubal” from St.John, NB to Bristol struck against iceberg ~5m off Cape English opening her bows. Crew took to the boats, rescued and brought in to St.Mary’s. Sank with bows still above water. (Newf.).
Jun 21 SS “Ashdrubal” struck a berg 20m off Cape Race and sunk. (#93). Jun 23 Barque “Lizzie Cameron” sailed from PEI for Bordeaux 10th. Hit berg 16th at 8 knots crushing her port bow and in half an hour filled with water and turned on her beam ends. Crew took to the boats and aimed for Newfoundland 230m distant, later picked up by the banking schooner “J W Bentley” and landed at Bay Bulls. (Newf.).