Charts 1934

SS “Eagle II”, photograph of her jammed in the ice.
SS “Imogene”, photograph of her in ice returning from seal hunt. (SR).
SS “Terra Nova”, photograph of preparations to blast her free from ice. (SR).

January/February

Jan 11-29 Extensive ice fields reported and one moderate sized berg was reported on and in the vicinity of the Grand Banks north of the Virgin Rocks, between the east coast of Newfoundland and longitude 47E. (JH1).
Feb 1 Between 4743’N 4725’W and 47N 4755’W several growlers.
Feb 11-17 Large areas of brash and slob ice were reported off the Nova Scotia coast, extending from Halifax eastward to the 60th meridian. (JH1).
Feb 17 4437’N 5057’W large field of soft pan ice.

March

Mar The southernmost ice reported during the month was a field of heavy ice situated near the western edge of the Grand Banks in 46N between 55W and 56W. (JH1).
Mar 1-15 A large field of ice and a few growlers were observed on the north-eastern side of the Grand Banks, north of the 46th parallel. (JH1).
Mar 5-6 SS “Baron Elgin” from Newcastle-on-Tyne to New York ran into a great field of ice when nearing the Newfoundland coast and was compelled to change course southward to clear it. 4820’N 47W encountered the first of the icy mass and was running through it as far as 4814’N. On the following day numerous patches of heavy field ice were met from 4744’N 47W to 41[!]N 47W. The ice field extended for a distance of ~90m.
Mar 5-6 From 4814’N 4715’W to 48N 47W heavy field ice and thence to 4744’N 47W numerous patches of field ice. [same as above ?]
Mar 5-13 Some large fields of ice and a few bergs were reported to the eastward of the northern edge of the Grand Banks between 47N and 49N, and 47W and 48W. (JH1).
Mar 12 A large berg sighted in 5023’N 4511’W. (JH1).
Mar 21 (from St. John’s): SS “Liberty” reports 200m off the coast of Newfoundland damaged [by ice] and heading for St. John’s. [Arrived 25th – plates opened and 4′ of water in the hold.]
Mar 31 Sealing steamer “Thetis” with broken propeller, ice presently tight and immediate assistance impossible [no location – later towed out by “Imogene”].

April

Apr Throughout the month numerous bergs and growlers were reported on and in the vicinity of the Grand Banks, between 43N and 50N and the east coast of Newfoundland and 47W. (JH1).
Apr 7 Heavy ice off Cape Breton.
Apr 15 Southernmost ice of the month reported as a growler in 4326’N 4021’W. (JH1).
Apr 20 Canadian Signal Service: St. Paul’s, light open ice everywhere; Belle Isle Strait, heavy open ice everywhere.(JH1).
Apr 24 MV “Georgic” sighted 20 bergs and numerous growlers when crossing the Grand Banks from west to east.