1871 Season
Nov 23 Local ice formed Bonne Bay. (GR p.85)
Dec 5 On Sunday and Monday last, the harbour was partly frozen over, but the easterly wind of Tuesday broke the ice all up and drove it away. Up to this morning, the harbour was open, and there is every prospect of the streamer coming tomorrow and getting into Shediac. S.J. (Pat 10 Dec p2#5)
Dec 20 Local ice formed Bay of Islands. (GR p.88)
Dec 23 Last night and today was the coldest weather we had this fall. There is a good deal of ice and lolly in the harbour, and it is quite probable that the Ferry boat will cease running after today. (Pat 24 Dec p2#5)
Dec 29 The ‘Alice Myrick’, Gallant which cleared on the 29th sailed on Sunday. She worked her way through the ice from Queen Wharf (Charlottetown) to open water near Canso [Canceaux] Point. It is an unusual sight to see on New Year’s day. Captain Gallant is a smart, active seaman, he has a good vessel and we hope he may reach his destination in safety. (Pat 5 Jan 1870, p2#5)
Dec 30 The Echo, belonging to the Wheatley River Lime Co. is reported in the ice between Wood Islands and Wallace, N.S. The ‘Jane’ is in the ice on the north side of Point Prim. The Barque “Clifton” from Liverpool arrived in Georgetown on the 30th ult. (Pat 7 Jan 1870, p2#6)
Jan 6 The schooner “Glynwood” sailed from Georgetown for Newfoundland on Sunday last. The brigt. “Express” cleared Georgetown yesterday with oats for London. (Pat 12 January 1871, p2#6)
Jan 12 Halifax, two schrs were seen in the ice in the Northumberland Straits on Thursday last. The largest of the two displayed a signal of distress. (BC 12/01/1871)Jan 13 By telegram from Georgetown – 13 Jan – no ice in harbour. Ferry boats running as in summer. (Pat 14 Jan 1871 p2#6)
Jan 16 The schooner “Minnie R. McKenzie” with merchandise from Halifax, arrived at Georgetown, on Monday. She reported no ice in the Gulf. (Pat 20 Jan 1871 p2#6)
Feb 10 Northern ice arrived Bay of Islands; departure date unknown. (GR p.88)
Feb 11 “St. Mary Hallowell” from New York for Antwerp, while lying in Terneuse Roads Jan 21 was set adrift by the ice; she was subsequently towed into the inner harbor. (NYMR)
Feb 15 “Freden” (Nor.) Bech, loading at Bordeaux for New York sustained ice damage prior to Jan 26 and had to discharge part of her cargo and was repairing on the 27th. (NYMR)
Feb 18 “Nelson” (of Darien Ct.), Capt. Reed, has been lying off Hay Island Reef for some time past, ice bound. The crew endeavored to cut their way through the ice, but were unable to do so. The N sailed from Oyster Bay, Jan 3rd, and had not been heard from until she was discovered locked in the ice. (NYMR)
Feb 18 A trotting match came off this afternoon on the ice, between Dr. Jenkin’s horse and Mr. N.A. Large’s mare. The Dr. won. (Pat 18 Feb 1871 p2#6)
Feb 21 Port Hood, February 21, 1871 – There is a vessel in the ice just abreast of this place about 2 miles off. She is either a brig or brigantine and is said to belong to P.E.I (Pat 4 Mar 1871 p3#1)
Feb 23 Harbour ice at Burgeo, broke up next day. Only mention of ice at Burgeo this year. (GR p.94)
Feb 25 “Zoe”- The cause of the wreak of the vessel, from New York to Brest, was that her cargo shifted loose, and choked the pumps of the ship. The ship leaking badly at the time, made for Shelburne, but the ice prevented her reaching that place. (NYMR)
Feb 27 Northern ice arrived Bonne Bay. (GR p.85)
Mar 16 The ice is breaking up rapidly. The channel is not open from the three tides to Pope’s wharf. The crossing on the Hillsborough between Charlottetown and Southport is unsafe for even foot passengers. Horses were falling in almost everywhere during the week. Everything indicates an early spring. (Pat 16 Mar 1871,p2#5)
Mar 23 We are indebted to the politeness of our friend Mr. Jermans, operator at Sackville, for a telegram stating that Shediac harbour has been clear of ice for several days and that there is no trouble for any kind of craft to get to the wharf. (Pat 23 Mar 1871 p2#5)
Mar 25 The ice is pretty well broken up in the harbour. Boats are crossing from Charlottetown to Southport and Rocky Point. (Pat 25 Mar 1871 p2#4)
Mar 28 The harbours of Charlottetown and Shediac are now free of ice, and there is nothing to prevent the steamer from running in the Straits of Northumberland except the fact such an early spring was not expected, and the boat is not ready. (BC 28/03/1871 p3 #4)
Mar 30 The harbour of Pictou is now entirely clear of ice. (BC 30/03/1871 p2 #5)
Apr 1 Northern ice departed Bonne Bay. (GR p.85)
Apr 2 Arrived at Georgetown, schooner Arrow & Amateur from Halifax. (Pat 6 Apr 1871 p3#1)
Apr 3 The port of Murray Harbour has been for some time past entirely free from ice, and as far as the eye can reach nothing is to be seen but a clear expanse of open water. The barque “Gauntlet” which loaded here last fall and remained all winter, sailed last Saturday morning, and a brigantine passed up the Gulf yesterday morning, supposed to have come from the Straits of Canso, from which it appears that the passage is clear. A schooner also went up yesterday afternoon. I have seen a brig sail out of Murray Harbour on the 17th of Jan. which got safely to England, but I have never seen vessels on the move so early in the spring before. Yours truly, J.B.C., Murray Harbour, April 3, 1871. (Pat 8 Apr 1871 p2#3)
Apr 6 Plaister Cove, CB, reports that the Straits and Bays are clear of ice. (BC 06/04/1871 p3 #1)
Apr 15 From Sable Island – The Government steamer “Lady Head,” from Sable Island, arrived here [Halifax] on Thursday. The capt. reports no wrecks at the island. The severity of the winter killed nearly all the ponies on the island, very few having survived. (BC 15/04/1871 p3 #1)
Apr 17 Ice off Bird Rocks. (LL).
Apr 22 Strait of Canso icebound. (LL).
Apr 24 “Patruus” at Arichat from Jersey passed large quantities of ice. (LL)
May 1 Local ice cleared Bonne Bay. (GR p.85)
May 5 Local ice cleared Bay of Islands. (GR p.88)
May 11 The Charlottetown paper reports that owing to the prevalence of E and NE winds the north shore of P E Island is blockaded by very large quantities of drift ice. The barque “Candace,” from Liverpool for Casumpec is reported to have been driven ashore by ice on the coast between Richmond Bay and New London. (BC 11/05/1871 p3 #1)