Gulf Ice Charts 1844

Jan 29 The schr “Enterprise”, which left Halifax on the 26th ult. got entangled in the ice off Mainadieu on the 29th, about 2 o’clock in the morning and remained in that situation until the following evening, when she struck and went to pieces. The first man who attempted to leave the wreck, named John Neville, of Bridgeport, disappeared beneath the half liquid ice and never rose again. The remained of the crew, we are happy to state, got safely to land.” (NS 26/02/1844 p71 #4)

Feb The Cape Breton Spirit of the Times, states that a boat belonging to St. Anne, containing 6 individuals got entangled in the ice in her passage from North Sydney to that place. The boat was found completely imbedded in a mass of ice, driven by the wind on the north shore of St. Anne… (NS 26/02/1844 p71 #4)
Feb 3 The schooner “Enterprise” Capt. Kennedy, left Halifax on the 26th ult. Became entangled in the ice off Main-a-dieu on the 29th at two in the morning and remained in that position until the following evening when she struck and soon went to pieces. The first man who attempted to leave the wreck, named John Neville of Bridgeport, disappeared beneath the half-liquid ice and never rose again. The remainder of the crew go safe to land. (The Spirit of the Times and the Cape Breton Free Press, 1844 from Early Cape Breton Newspapers 1992 p37)

Apr 23-24 Arrived Sat 11th May – “Victory, Arichat; reports steamer “Unicorn”, Douglas, hence for Quebec, in McNair’s Cove on Mon., arrived on Sun., – paddles broken by the ice; bark “Acadian”, Greenock, 44 days – general cargo, to William Stairs & Sons, and others – reports from 23rd to 28th ult. fell in with large quantities of ice, saw 8 vessels entangled in it. (NS 13/05/1844 p166 #4)

May (early, or late April) Captain Allan, of the ship “Caledonia” reports that [from the 21st to 24 th April in 46°03’N 46°14’W to 44°20’N 48°W he has never seen such a large quantity of heavy ice and icebergs to the eastward of the Banks. It had very little appearance of decay. Saw no ice in the Gulf. (QG #6186 06/05/1844 P3 C3c)
May 2 “The schr “Joseph Howe”, hence for Miramichi was cut in two by the ice on the night of 2nd May at the Gut of Canso and sank in 5 fathoms of water.” (NS 13/05/1844 p166 #4)
May 5 Sun 5th – … brig “Demerest”, Liverpool, G.B. 52 days general cargo to Black & Brothers – Left on the ice on Thurs, 28th ult, saw one brig a long distance off; sailed for upwards of 350 miles along it. The “Demerest” was struck by a heavy sea, leaks badly.” (NS 06/05/1844 p159 #1)
May 8 Shipping News Memoranda “The Brig “Southampton” from Porto Rico, for Quebec, with cargo of sugar, was sunk by the ice on the 8th of May in 7 fathoms of water.” (NS 20/05/1844 p175 #2)
May 9 “Lady Colebrook”, Halifax for Quebec, struck the ice near Scatarie and sunk, crew saved. (LL)
May 9 Sun May 19 – Schr “Elizabeth”, from Sydney – coal ; brought up Capt. Maitland, and crew or the bark “Lady Colebrooke”, hence on the 6th inst. for Quebec. On Thurs. the 9th off Scatterie, fell in with the ice; at 6 a. m. was cut through by it and immediately sank. Capt. and crew put off in the boat and got to land about 4 p.m. same day. Cargo insured for £3050. On Wed the 8th inst. spoke the bark “Countess “of Durham, from the West Indies, bound to Quebec; reported they had been detained by the ice some days – could not get through. Saw another bark in the ice the same day – name not known.” (NS 20/05/1844 p175 #2)
May 14 A wreck embedded in the ice passed by “Glenlyon” in 46°N 58°W for Quebec, which also fell in with a very large field of ice in 43°N 45°W. (LL)
May 14 Arrived Halifax, Tues. 14th – Brig “William Griffith”, Liverpool, G. B. 47 days, general cargo to Black & Brothers, saw 2 brigs in the ice … (NS 20/05/1844 p175 #2)
May 15 Arichat: Ice off here and Cape North, vessels damaged. (LL).
May 16 Gut of Canso choked with ice [vessels have been lost]. (LL)
May 17 The Barque “Lady Coldbrooke” from G. Britain, bound to Quebec, sunk off Scatterie by striking the ice. The crew reached Main-a-dieu. (The Spirit of the Times and the Cape Breton Free Press, 1844 from Early Cape Breton Newspapers 1992 p36)
May 22 Issue, via Quebec 13th: SS “Unicorn” delayed 3 days by ice in the Gut of Canso and 3 vessels lost there. (SCL)
May 22 Arr “Wed May 22 – … brig “Elizabeth Walsh”, St. John’s, NF 7 days, dry fish – to J.C. Kinnear & Co. Fell in with large quantities of ice, saw a number of vessels in it. … “ Thurs. 23rd – … Barque “Margaret”, London, 32 days, saw large quantities of ice.” (NS 27/05/1844 p182 #4)
May 30 “Thurs. 30th – … brigt “Amaranth” from Gut of Canso, with her outward cargo, of Molasses. Herring and oil bound for Quebec, stranded in the ice; … (NS 03/06/1844 p190 #4)

Jun 14 Ship “Glenlyon” saw in 45°53’N 58°W wreck of a barque, probably “Jas Harris”, abandoned and embedded in the ice (see May 22). (SCL).

Jul 10 “Apollo” 43°54’N 58°12’W immense ice-island. (WCR).