1836 Season
Dec 8 The winter has set in with unusual severity. The thermometer, at eight this morning stood at 4 below zero, and it must have been colder during the night. The harbour was partially frozen a week ago, and so completely by Friday, that the ice was passable for foot passengers a little above the town. (RG.C 8 Dec p3 c3)
Dec 14 After a recruit of a fortnight, Mr. Parry, and daughter, in company with a fellow sufferer, commenced Dec 14 an arduous journey of more than 300 miles, in one of the most inclement seasons on record….little Mary… in crossing the Northumberland Strait, she gallantly, where the ice was good, ran along…youngest child who ever crossed the Strait on the ice. (RG.C 12 Jan 1836 p3 c2)
Dec 15 The mail boat, in crossing from Cape Travers, on Thursday, met another boat with nineteen men forming part of the crews of the vessels belonging to this Island frozen in at Miramichi. (RG.C 15 Dec p3 c2)
Jan 5 The schooners “Annandale”, “Trial” and “Four Brothers” and a shallop, all belonging to this Island, are ice bound in Plaster Cove, Gut of Canso. (RG.C 5 Jan p3 c2)
Mar 31 “The earliest vessel for a seaport cleared at Quebec, was effected by our customs yesterday, the 31st Mar. She is a coasting schr, bound from Riviere du Loop, with 500 barrels of the flour saved from the barq “Alceus”. We have no doubt she will get to Halifax with less obstruction from ice than a month later, when the shore ice has been detached and floated into the Gulf and along the Cape Breton and Gut of Canso coasts. Quebec Gazette.” (NS 20/04/1836 p126 #3)
Apr 19 The ice is now in motion on the Hillsborough. The channel opposite the town, and for several miles up the river, is open, we can perceive clear water nearly out to the Block House. The ferry boat made several trips today, for the first time. (RG.C 19 Apr p3 c1)
Apr 22 Several schooners have been in sight for some days past, but are unable to find a passage, as the ice between the Islands still continues unbroken. The harbour itself is free from ice. The schooner “Annandale” for this port, which left Halifax late in December, and got ice bound in the Gut of Canso, arrived at Three Rivers, together with three other vessels from Arichat, on Friday last. (RG.C 26 Apr p3 c1)
Apr 26 “Miramichi, the ice has not yet commenced moving downwards, but that event is hourly expected as it is broken in all directions.” (NS 04/05/1836 p142 #3)
Apr 26 Arrived at Arichar, brig “Grog”, 37 days form Cadiz, experienced boisterous weather and was amongst the ice for several days and received considerable damage.” (NS 04/05/1836 p142 #4)
May 5 “ …At Quebec the ice in the River was 18 ft thick on the 5th of May – near the South Shore, 40 ft.” (NS 25/05/1836 p162 #3)
May 9 “Arve” from Bordeaux met a great quantity of ice between St. Paul’s Is. and Bird Rocks. (LL)
May 10 By the arrival of the Schooner “Mary” from Miramichi, which she left on the 8 of May, we learn that the ice has then commenced moving down the river. It was with difficulty that the “Mary” got out. One barque was seen trying to force her way in through the ice. (RG.C 10 May p3 c2)
May 11 “The Miramichi River is open. The first vessel arrived on Sun. week.” (NS 18/05/1836 p154 #3)
May 13 Quebec, the barge “Iolas” arrived this afternoon. She came through the Gut of Canso, met no ice. (NS 01/06/1836 p170 #4)
Jun 12 Brig “Planet” struck an island of ice [43°N 61°W – LL] which stove in her bow etc., arrived Halifax 15th. (SCL).
Jul 7 H.M. packet “Express” on the southern edge of the Sable Bank, about 75m SW from Sable Island 2 bergs, one 180′ high in 43°14’N 61°17’W and the other, 150′ high, in 43°09’N 61°26’W. (WCR).