Gulf Ice Charts 1840

1840 Season

Dec 13 “Extract of a letter from Plaister Cove dated Dec 13th 1839. Nothing new; our navigation quite open; weather mild, more like Sept then Dec …” (NS 02/01/1840 p3 #4)
Dec 14 The weather conditions mild and open, and several vessels have left the harbour within the last two days. Several arrivals are yet expected. (CH 14 Dec p3 c2)
Dec 21 After a long continuance of easterly winds, it came on to blow pretty fresh from the north-west on Thursday morning, and the wind still continues to blow from that quarter. Although the weather for the last two or three days has been pretty cold, there is not as yet any appearance of ice in the harbour. (CH 21 Dec p3 c3)
Dec 28 Our port is now completely deserted, with the exception of a few vessels laid up for the winter, for although there is no ice to impede the navigation, there has not been a single arrival in the course of the week. (CH 28 Dec p3 c3)

Jan 11 The ice on the harbour is scarcely yet deemed secure for horses although several have crossed during yesterday and the day previous. (CH 11 Jan p3 c4)

Apr 4 The mail carriers from this side, after several fruitless attempts, succeeded in getting across to the other side. The quantity of loose ice in the strait is sufficient however, to account for their not being able to return, until some change takes place. (CH 4 Apr p3 c1)