1872 Season
No mention of ice at Burgeo this year. (GR p.94)
Fall 1871 “Emigrant” (Br.) from Quebec for Greenock, timber laden, which was abandoned by her crew in the ice last fall in the Gulf of S. Lawrence, has been found 18 miles NE of Cape Turner, PEI, deserted and full of water. (NYMR 24 Apr 1873)
Dec 9 On Saturday last the following vessels were in Cascumpec Harbour, having been detained there by the cold weather during the past week. The Harbour for some distance up was open and vessels outbound will be able to leave for some time to come. (Pat 9 Dec p2#6)
Dec 28 Local ice formed Bonne Bay. (GR p.85)
Jan 9 The crew of the schr “Wempatuck,” which arrived her on Friday last, reports left Sydney on the 9th, bound to St. Peters, struck the ice the same evening, at 2 o’clock next afternoon NSE [NNE?] of Scatterie, 35 miles in a sinking state, had to bear back for a port, could not reach Cape Breton shore and thought better to try for Halifax, otherwise would have swamped and life and cargo lost. (AR 15/01/1872 p3 #1)
Jan 12 Halifax, arrived, “Wampatuck” North Sydney, bound to St. Pierre, Miq. Reports that the ice being too heavy to get into St. Pierre harbor and had to make for this port. (BC 13/01/1872 p3 #4)
Jan 15 Local ice formed Bay of Islands. (GR p.88)
Jan 16 Schr “Garnet,” from Halifax via Cape Canso for Guysborough, struck the ice near Canso and sunk immediately. Crew saved. (BC 16/01/1872 p3#4)
Jan 16 Barque “Marie Eliza” from Quebec for Marseilles, before reported last in the ice off Father Point drifted past St. Pierre, Miq 10th inst since which date easterly winds have prevailed there; was 15 miles off at the time she passed. (BC 30/01/1872 p3 #4)
Jan 27 Father Point, a large full rigged ship was seen today drifting down in the middle of a quantity of ice distinguishable eight miles from shore. (BC 06/02/1872 p3 #4)
Feb Northern ice arrived Bay of Islands. (GR p.88)
Feb 13-17 SS “City of Halifax” left Halifax for St.John’s, Feb 13. On that night and during the next day she passed through field ice, but at 7 pm got clear of it; 15th, fresh gale; 16th, at 8 am gale moderated; 2 pm off Cape St.Mary’s, passed through slab [sic] ice; 17th, am, off St.John’s heavy ice and thick haze; 8 am stood off shore, the ice being too heavy and the wind packing it in shore; 6 am passed a large berg; 10 am wind hauling from SW, stood for the Narrows, and set all sails; 6 of the crew out ahead cutting ice and taking lines ahead, making fast to the ice, and having on the steam winch; ship drifting to SE with the ice, and working nearer the open water between the land and the ice; pm, fresh breeze with snow squalls; 5 pm, got clear of the ice; 6 pm arrived at the wharf at St.John’s. (LL).
Feb 13 Northern ice arrived Bonne Bay. (GR p.85)
Feb 17 White Head Lighthouse, last evening a large schooner was seen about five miles west of here, no sails set ; head northward; surrounded by heavy ice; wind west, blowing fresh. Saw nothing of her in the morning. Clear water can be seen to the westward. Today, in looking around for the schooner, saw a square rigged vessel eight miles south, in the midst of heavy ice. Could not make out the rig, but supposed her to be a brigantine having only her lower yards up. Wind WNW and vessel, drifting seaward out of sight at noon. (BC 27/02/1872 p3)
Mar 6 About 1800 more bales matting have been gathered on the beach from the wreak of bark Robert Fletcher, ashore opposite East Moriches, LI, and together with her chains and anchors, etc., will be shipped in lighters to New York as soon as the ice in the bay admits. (NYMR)
Mar 10 Halifax, returned, Brigt “Arabel” for New York which sailed on Saturday morning put back Sunday morning at 7 o’clock and reports when eight miles SE Sambro encountered heavy field of ice. Several American fishing schooners, names unknown, put into Sambro harbour Sunday on account of the heavy field ice outside. (BC 12/03/1872 p3 #4)
Mar 11 “White Fawn” at Halifax from the Grand Banks experienced bad weather on the Banks and had to pass through ~40m of field ice, ~35m from land. (LL).
Mar 11 “John Franklyn” at Halifax from Cape Breton encountered a great quantity of field ice 20m off Sambro and was in it 3 days. (LL).
Mar 12 “Thomas Albert” at Halifax from Cienfuegos passed great quantities of field ice [ large quantities of ice in Halifax harbour]. (LL)
Mar 12 Halifax, the steamer “Lady Head” which left this port on the 29th ult. for Sable Island arrived at White Head the same evening, got ice bound and remained until Saturday last, when she got out and returned to Halifax arriving her on Sunday morning. (BC 12/03/1872 p3 #1)
Mar 14 Heavy body of ice in Strait. (GR p.33)
Mar 19 Heavy body of ice in Strait. (GR p.33)
Mar 19 Schooner “Thetis” from Halifax to Havanna put back after collision with some ice sustaining some damage and leaking. (LL).
Mar 19 Halifax: Great quantity of field ice off the coast. (LL)
Mar 19 A telegram was received on Saturday last by Mr. J. Wright of Dartmouth, stating that his schr “Emma” was driven ashore in the ice on Tuesday last at Forchu Head. Crew saved, vessel lost and not insurance. (BC 19/03/1872 p3 #1)
Mar 20 Halifax, arrived steamer “Alexandria” Glasgow, reports saw in the ice off Cape Canso a large ship with black hull and double topsails, apparently bound for Halifax. She was surrounded by ice and drifting with all sails set. (BC 02/04/1872 p3 #4)
Mar 21 Perce, there never has been so much ice seen in the Gulf at this season of the year as during the present spring. For upwards of a month previous this date above mentioned, nothing was to be seen but close packed ice. (BC 09/04/1872 p3 #1)
Mar 23 Halifax, arrived, brigt “Empress,” Cienfuegos, March 4th bound to Boston. March 19th, of Nantucket, while bearing down for Halifax, struck the ice and sprung a leak. Capt. Matson and all the crew are frost bitten. (BC 26/03/1872 p3 #4)
Mar 29 Halifax, bark “Katie McDonald,” Hermitage Bay, Newfoundland, was towed up from the Lighthouse by a tug steamer. This bark left Charlottetown, PE Island, last fall for Georgetown, PEI there to load produce for England, but got in the ice and having been subsequently blown off the coast bore away for Newfoundland where she wintered. Brig “Plover,” St. John’s, NF, reports having been in the ice off Newfoundland for several days and had a very rough passage. (BC 30/03/1872 p3 #4)
Mar 30 Large bark seen in the ice off C.Canso, N.S. (NYMR)
Mar 30 A large bark was seen off Cape Canso, by steamer Alexandria, from Glasgow , at Halifax, NS, March 30th. (NYMR)
Apr 2 The Gulf full. No further mention. (GR p.33)
Apr 3 Northern ice departed Bonne Bay. (GR p.85)
Apr 3 Montreal: There is said to be more ice in the Gulf of St.Lawrence at present than has ever before been seen at this season. (LL).
Apr 15 SS “Tiger” from Nfld. at Halifax reports passing heavy ice fields [doesn’t say where!]. (NYMR).
Apr 20-23 “Cairrigorm”, from Clyde to Quebec ran into ice 40 miles E off St. Paul’s. On Apr 23 it got caught again off St. Paul’s. The ice extended from Cape Ray to the SW point of Anticosh. (LL)
Apr 25 The ice is breaking up about the city wharves, and parties to and from Southport now cross a part of the way in boats. (Pat 25 Apr p2#6)
Apr 26 The steamer “Flamborough” frozen in near Rocky Point during the winter, worked her way through the ice up to Peake’s Wharf yesterday. Mr. William White’s brigantine, the ship “James Duncan” and other vessels similarly situated, also moved up a part of the way towards the wharves today. (Pat 27 Apr p2#5)
Apr 27 Issue: New York (by cable); The “Heimsdahl from Kilrush to Richibucto has been abandoned at sea, icebound, in 46°N 59°W; crew landed at Cape Breton. (LL)
Apr 28 Charlottetown, schr “Marion” of Cheticamp, CB, started from that place for the Seal Fisheries, with a crew of seven men on the 21st ult; they sailed along shore as far as Cape North, the coast being clear of ice, from thence they worked their way to the North and up to a distance of about four leagues, SSE of the Bird Rocks; there they got jammed in a solid field of ice. Nothing of importance occurred until the am of the 28th, when on a sudden move of the ice the vessel was crushed, filling immediately, giving the crew barely time to save themselves a few articles of clothing some provisions and two small boats. Before leaving the wreck they unbent the sails and rigging which they left on the ice with the name of the schr. From thence they had to travel on the ice a distance of 60 miles; dragging the boats and what was saved from the wreck, living only on raw meat and few wet biscuits, they landed at Cape North where they were hospitably received by some of the inhabitants. (BC 23/05/1872 p3 #4)
Apr 28-May 4 Halifax, arrived, Sunday May 5, steamer “North American,” Liverpool, GB April 16th via Greenock, bound to Quebec, reports Apr 28th, encountered heavy field ice 30 miles North West off Cape Ray. From that date to May 1st made very little progress, the ice being almost impenetrable. May 2nd propeller being damaged by contact with the ice, and running short of coals, put back for Halifax. 29th, 60 miles NW of Cape Ray, passed Company’s ship Chippewa,” also ships “Lady Milton,” “Nildonah” and “Chevalier,” all in the ice, bound up; 30th, 30 miles NW of Cape Ray, passed ship “Forganhall” and Company’s bark “Cherokee,” bound up; in company with steamer “St Patrick,” do ; 40 miles W of Cape Ray, passed ship “Hope,” “Eveline” “Cumberland” “Queen of the Clyde” and “Protector,” all bound up, unable to proceed on account of the ice. May 1, 23 miles W and S of Cape Ray, passed ships “Marion” “Royal Charter,” of Yarmouth, NS ; “Edward Cardwell” “Confidence” “Kerch” “St. Lawrence” “Natolia” “Thorndean” “Frenchman,” “Homely” of Jersey, and a fleet of others, all bound up, 3rd , 45°28’N, 59°56’W, passed ship “Sarah Mandrell,” bound West ; 4th ,off Sambro Island, passed ship “Norjoka.” (BC 07/05/1872 p3 #4)
Apr 28-May 1 SS “North American” from Liverpool to Quebec encountered heavy field ice 30m NW of Cape Ray and from that date until May 1 made very little progress, the ice being almost impenetrable. (LL).
Apr 29 “Chevalier” is all bound up in the ice, 60 miles NW of Cape Ray. (LL).Apr 30 “Hope”, “Eveline”, and “Protector”, are all bound up, unable to proceed on account of the ice 40 miles W of Cape Ray. (LL).
May Northern ice departed Bay of Islands. (GR p.88)
May 1 “Golconda”, from Liverpool to Quebec, struck the ice and foundered, 18 miles from Cape Ray. (LL).
May 1 Ships “Marion”, “Kerch”, “St.Lawrence”, Natolid”, Thorndean”, “Frenchman”, “Homely”, of Jersey, and a fleet of others, were all bound up in the ice, 23 miles W and S of Cape Ray. (LL)
May 1 [In 1899] on Saturday afternoon the schooner “Cymbeline” for the third time set sail for Louisburg and was compelled to return. Heavy ice lay off the coast as far east and west as could be seen from the masthead. Captain Stewart says that such heavy ice has not been known since 1872. That year he was compelled to remain in Louisburg from the first day of May until the twenty-second. So this year’s ice is something phenomenal. Bras d’Or Gazette. (HH 20/04/1899 p8#1)
May 2 The ice in the harbour is completely broken up, though the Gulf outside is as full as it was in mid-winter. A schooner at Rocky Point was driven ashore by the ice. (Pat 2 May, p2#5)
May 3 Halifax, the schr “Rose Skerrit,” at this port from Newfoundland, reports that she was in the ice for six days. On May 3rd spoke ship “Hope,” from Glasgow for Quebec, in the ice, 70 miles NNE of St. Paul’s Island. On 7th inst spoke new steamer, “Horseguard” and the ship “Montezuma,” for Quebec, in the ice 30 miles NW of Cape Ray. Schr “President,” at this port, from Port aux Basques, NF, brought Capt. Elliott and seven crew of the ship “Golconda” of and from Liverpool, GB for Quebec, before lost in the ice off Cape Ray; reports the following vessels were in the Strait of Canso on the 15th inst; German bk “Germania” Stop fm Antwerp via Leanox Passage bound to Montreal, returned to Hawkesbury with three feet of water in hold. (BC 18/05/1872 p3 #4)
May 4 Gulf of St. Lawrence still full of ice. Ship damaged there on the 5th. (NYMR)
May 4 The Schooner “J.J. Marshall” frozen in all winter opposite the hospital, was, on Wednesday week, carried over in a pan of ice to the Nova Scotian coast near Wallace. She got up to the three tides three or four times and in each case she drifted off to sea again. She made Crapaud harbour at last and from there worked her way to Charlottetown on Wednesday. Captain Hughes reports the Gulf open to the westward but east of Point Prim there is a solid jam of ice. (Pat 4 May p3#1)
May 7 Local ice cleared Bonne Bay. (GR p.85)
May 7 Halifax. Disasters, on Tuesday last a vessel was observed drifting in the ice some two or three miles off Morristown shore and on being boarded by parties in that vicinity it was found that she was an old schr, called the “Sea Breeze,” about 70 tons, without sails or rigging. It is supposed that she must have drifted from some port in P E Island. (BC 07/05/1872 p3 #4)
May 8 Halifax, May 4-The Gulf of St. Lawrence is still full of ice. (NYMR)
May 8 “North American” (Br.) from Liverpool via Greenock for Quebec, with 640 passengers, put into Halifax May 5th, having encountered heavy ice fields in the mouth of the Gulf of St. Lawrence; damaged propeller no the 2nd. (NYMR)
May 10 Local ice cleared Bay of Islands. (GR p.88)
May 10 Halifax, the barks “Mozella,” “Marion” and “Ithluriel” from Europe for this port were in the Gut of Canso on Monday last waiting a chance to get through the ice. The steamer “Gaspe” from Canada bound to Pictou, ran down as far as Cape Tormentine on Monday last but was obliged to bear up for Shediac, being unable to get through the ice. (BC 16/05/1872 p3 #3)
May 11-12 SS “Redwater” to Quebec from Liverpool, passed Cape Race and through several icebergs on May 11. On May 12 it got into field-ice about 50 miles WNW of Cape Ray. Much of the ice was from 6-10 feet thick, but easily broken through. (LL)
May 24 Halifax, the barque “David Cannon” of Belfast, arrived at this port yesterday bringing the crews of the ship “Victoria” of Liverpool and bark “Evadane, of Sunderland, which vessel were cut through by the ice in the Gulf about ? miles north of St. Paul’s, on the 28th May while proceeding to Quebec. Capt. Henderson the master of the “Victoria” and one seaman Joseph Vander??? were drowned on the passage on the 20th M[ay]. (BC 06/06/1872 p3 #5)
May 25 Advices from Halifax NS state that the coast to the Eastward was seriously obstructed by ice, and that the Strait of Canso was full of vessels unable to proceed. ( LL).
May 28 SS “Chrysolite” from New Orleans to Liverpool put in here short of coal being unable to get in at Cow Bay and Sydney because of heavy pack ice. (Newf.)
Jun 6 Vessels arriving here report the existence of large fields of ice at Scatterie and other points on the coast. There is yet an immense amount of ice in the Gulf. (BC 06/06/1872 p3#1)
Jun 13 Halifax, barque “Kinara” of Pictou, from Antwerp for Montreal, struck ice in the Gulf and put into Pictou leaking. (BC 13/06/1872 p3 #5)