1832 Season
Dec “Pictou, Jan 4 – The schr, “Two Brothers”, of Arichat, William Boudroit, Master, from St. John’s NF, bound to Three Rivers, PE Island, laden with East India produce, and having on board 85 Irish passengers, sailed from the Gut of Canso, for the place of her destination, on the __ day of Dec., last but after three several [sic] attempts to proceed, was obliged from the formation of immense masses of ice, to put back to Ship Harbor, – Capt. Boudroit, being thus foiled, entered a Protest [?], preparatory to laying up the vessel for the winter. – The passengers, becoming aware of this, resolved upon making a further attempt to reach P.E. Island, and Capt. Boudroit, having objected, he was thrown overboard. His brother was not only similarly treated, but shot at while in the water; both got safe ashore. …” (NS 11/01/1832 p11 #3)
Dec 6 Pictou Harbour froze over on the night of the 6th – the barque “John Atkins”, bound to New York, and several other vessels, it is feared will be detained all winter. (NS 14/12/1831 p398 #4)
Dec 6 The winter seems now firmly set in…the quantity of drift ice in the harbour is, however, inconsiderable and the navigation may as yet be considered free. (RG.C 6 Dec p3 c2)
Dec 13 The mail from Pictou, due last week, the packet has been lying off the Warran Farm since yesterday morning, being unable to get farther in due to the ice. Our harbour is now completely frozen over and we may safely say that a similar circumstance has not occurred in the season for twenty years past. The “Eliza” from Halifax made the harbour this forenoon but was prevented by the ice from getting in, the barque “Quebec Trader” having been run on the bank about forty fathoms above the wharf to have her bottom examined was forced off the bank early on the morning of Friday last by the pressure of the drift ice, which broke her fastenings and carried her out of the harbour. She was brought to an anchor at Indian Cove, where she at present lies in shoal water and cannot be got back owning to the quantity of ice in the harbour. (RG.C 13 Dec p3 c3)
Dec 20 PE Island, the schr “Eliza”, after losing cable, anchor, rudder irons and having all her sails rent to pieces succeeded in making her way through the ice to the Brickmaker’s Point, where her cargo has been discharged. “ (NS 11/01/1832 p11 #3)
Dec 28 Halifax: The “Eliza” Jollaotta, from Halifax, made the harbour this forenoon, but was prevented by the ice from getting in. Exertions, however, are making to cut a passage for her through the ice. The brigantine “George and Henry”. For Barbados, has gone hither to finish her loading. (NS 28/12/1831 p410 #3)
Jan 9 The schooner “Catherine” from St. John’s N. F. bound to Pr. Ed. Island, put into Arichat on Monday the 9th of January and has since been frozen up. (RG.C 14 Feb p3 c4)
Feb 26? Halifax. The “Cordelia” was 2 days off the Light, entangled in the ice, of which there was an immense quantity, drifting about 20 miles to the southward.” (NS 01/03/1832 p 67 #4)
Feb 26? Halifax. The “Opossum” packet, which arrived from Bermuda on the 23d ult, received her mail on the 26th and cut her way through the ice on Mon. last. The Harbour is not entirely clear of ice.” (NS 08/03/1832 p79 #2)
Feb 28 “The “Margaret”, on the 28th ult. saw six sail of vessels in the Ice, about 50 miles from Sambro Island. Capt. F. states that as far as the eye could see, the Ice appeared in one unbroken field. (NS 08/03/1832 p79 #2)
Apr 2 Last night,…two persons… left the opposite side of the river to come to Town and on approaching within two or three hundred yards of the wharf they fell through the ice. (RG.C 3 Apr p3 c4)
Apr 2 The mail carriers, after repeated attempts, from the 23rd of March up to the 2nd inst. effected a passage to Cape Tormentine on the last day mentioned. The day following they had got part of the way across on their return, but from the state of the ice, were forced to put back and to remain at Cape Tormentine until the morning of the 7th on which day they managed to re-cross the strait and arrived on the morning of the 8th…this is the longest delay that has occurred since the Western route has been established. (RG.C 10 Apr p3 c3)
Apr 10 Issue: The schooner “Catherine” which left Newfoundland last Fall after wintering at Arichat, arrived last week at Bay Fortune. The north side of the island is said to be clear of ice. (RG.C 10 Apr p3 c3)
Apr 16 The ice on the Hillsborough is now in motion. Passage through the openings; today the channel is very little obstructed. (RG.C 17 Apr p3 c2)
Apr 21 On Saturday we had an arrival in our harbour being the first for the season. The “Leander” from Arichat; in this vessel came passengers, several young men belonging to this Island, who had gone to Newfoundland late in the Fall of last year and were prevented from returning in consequence of the severity of the winter there which had set in much earlier than usual. (RG.C 24 Apr p3 c2)
Apr 23 Ship “Canada”, from Greenock, abreast of Cape Ray, through ice on the 28th and arrived Quebec May 6. (#575)
Apr 25 Pictou, arrived. “Lady and Janus”, hence brigs Hall, Portsmouth; “Hope” and “Athlone”. Fell in with large quantities of ice off St. Paul’s Island on the 25th Apr. St. Paul’s Island bearing N.N.E. distance 10 mi, saw 8 sail in ice ; ..“ (NS 10/05/1832 p147 #1)
May 5 Brig “Ann Maria” from London to Quebec was totally lost in the ice at Breton – crew saved. (SCL)
May 5 On Sat the 5th May, about 12 o’clock, am., the brig “Anna Maria”, from London, bound to Quebec, struck on a field of ice about 40 miles south of St. Paul’s Is. The vessel filled and sunk immediately. The master and crew (12 in number) took to the boats, and arrived safe at the Sydney coal Mines the next morning.” (NS 24/05/1832 p102 #4)
May 5 The “Hickman” brought four men of the brig “Anna Maria” from London, for Quebec, totally lost in the ice on Cape Breton coast May 5th; crew saved in the boats. (QM #62 Thursday May 24 1832)
May 15 Quebec: Vessels arriving are badly worn by ice. (LL)
May 22 Miramichi, the barque “Hope”, Forsyth, which vessel unfortunately got on shore at Egg Island, in the river on her passage homeward last fall, has been condemned [sic]and her hull and materials were advertised for sale. She received much damage by the drift ice this spring, which has rendered her a perfect wreck.” (NS 30/05/1832 p174 #4)
May 29 Halifax: The “Anna Maria” from London to Quebec struck on an iceberg in Indian Bay and sunk; crew saved. (LL).
Jul 13 Ship spoken to in this location: “Aquatic” from Liverpool to Quebec making the nearest port having been in the ice 5 weeks, spoken to in 47°N 60°W. (LL) [No clues as to actual location and dates]