1891 Season
Dec 6 Storms and ice on the Cape Breton coast have caused a number of vessels to run ashore. (Pat 6 Dec p3#1)
Dec 21 Halifax, schr “Tyrone” from Souris for Boston left Souris at 2 a.m. Sunday 21st, and at 7 a.m. met heavy body of ice off Cape George, extending to Port Hood, and as far as could be seen from masthead of vessel extending about northwest from Cape George up the Gulf. Wind becoming very light Captain Smith considered it unsafe to put the vessel into the ice and str “Colfa” coming along he made an agreement with the steamer to tow the vessel to safe anchorage in Strait of Canso and arrived at Port Hawkesbury at 1 p.m. Sunday (21st.) (MH 24/12/1890 p3#4)
Dec 22 Canso, arrived Schooner “W D Richards and Darling”. (Pat 2 Jan 1891 p3#3)
Dec 23 Port Mulgrave, arrived, stmr “Neptune,” Sydney; schrs “Annie T Mckie,” and “Sunlight” had to return back to Mulgrave on account of heavy ice. The strait tonight is full of heavy ice; the “Neptune” is detained. (MH24/12/1890 p3#4)
Dec 25 Port Mulgrave, arrived schr “Brundeneil,” “Capio” and “Coronet” from PEI and sailed. Passed south in the ice brigt “Anguilla,” schrs “Orion” and “Athlete.” The straits is solid full of ice. The “Goliah” could not get into Port Hawkesbury for ice. (MH 27/12/1890 p3#4)
Dec 25 Halifax. sailed str “Rimouski,” [white out] returned on account of ice in the strait. (MH 30/12/1890 p3#4)
Dec 26 Local News – The Former says: “Georgetown Harbour was still open on Friday last and the ferry boat was making regular trips between there and Lower Montague.” (Pat 2 Jan 1891 p3#1)
Dec 31 Halifax. arrived, Schr “Maggie Alice,” Boston, was bound to Souris, PEI, but was prevented from reaching destination by the ice and will remain here for the winter with cargo. (MH 01/01/1891 p3 #4)
Jan 2 Canso, the schooner “Annie C. Hall, ” of Gloucester, while on a fresh halibut trip, sprung a leak and lost rudder in one of the recent gales on the Grand Banks. Making her way as best she could for Canso, she got into Chedbucto Bay in the snow storm of Monday and anchored. She safely rode out the frosty norwester till Wednesday night, when a body of ice from the Strait of Canso bore down upon her, sawed off her cable in short order brought her down to the northern entrance of Canso harbor, and piled her up on Hart’s Island. It was so surrounded yesterday with drift ice that nothing could be done about her, but to-day a wrecking crew have got off part of her fresh halibut and some of her gear. (MH 03/01/1891 p3 #3)
Jan 2 Canso, the schooner “Agility,” from Halifax for Glace Bay, was forced by the ice running through the harbor from her anchorage and grounded on the southern part of Burying Island, The crew attempted to get her afloat to day but failed. (MH 03/01/1891 p3 #3)
Jan 2 The “Stanley” left Georgetown at 5 o’clock yesterday morning with mail and a large number of passengers. This morning word was received that she was stuck in the ice off Pictou. (Pat 2 Jan p3#1)
Jan 5 Canso, Saturday was a hard day for the vessels anchored in Canso harbor. The drift ice dragged them all from their anchorage. Most of them got clear of Burying Island, but the “Bonnibell” and “Dido” of Isaac’s Harbor, got caught; so also the “Ability” which had been on the southern end and got off, now took the north end. The S.S. “Rimouski” towed the “Bonniebell” off and the “Dido” got a line to her and got afloat, only to go back a few hours later worse than at first. (MH 06/01/1891 p3 #2)
Jan 5 No word was received today of the “Stanley’s” movements. It is reported that she is stuck in the ice off Caribou. (Pat 5 Jan p3#1)
Jan 6 Pictou, the steamer “Stanley” left Georgetown at 6 o’clock on Monday and got outside Pictou harbor four hours later. At the mouth of the harbor she met with heavy ice, got stuck, and has been there ever since, with no immediate prospect of a change. The passengers and mails were landed and brought to town in teams. The “Stanley” has had a terrible time this winter, this being due to the severity of the weather. (MH 07/01/1891 p3 #3)
Jan 6 There was a two-masted steamer reported in the ice off East Point yesterday. (Pat 7 Jan p3#1)
Jan 8 The Steamer “Harlaw” arrived at midnight completing her last trip to Newfoundland coast. Left Channel Sunday evening, 4th inst., called at St. Paul’s the following morning and landed the mail. Found all well on the island. Supt. Campbell reports the gale of Saturday, Dec 27th the severest for many years. One of his boats was completely broken up. On Tuesday, Dec 30th a severe gale from the south-east damaged the cable so that communication by telephone was cut off. The break is supposed to be near the Island where the cable passes over a ledge. After leaving St. Paul’s the “Harlaw” proceeded towards the Magdalene Islands to try if possible, to bring away the crew of the American schooner “Admiral” wrecked at Bryan Island, nine miles north of the Magdalenes. After steaming through large quantities of ice the “Harlaw” succeeded in reaching Amherst, where the wrecked men were and after considerable delay and a good deal of hard work caused by the drift ice, succeeded in getting Captain Harding and crew on board. The “Admiral” was on a voyage from Bay of Islands to Gloucester, with a Cargo of herring, the vessel and cargo being a total loss. The island being completely surrounded by ice, the men had given up all hopes of a vessel being able to rescue them this winter. There was great rejoicing when the “Harlaw” was seen steaming up through the ice. A good deal of credit is due Capt. Farquhar for the effort made at this season of the year, which we believe was never before attempted. (MH 08/01/1891 p3 #2)
Jan 8 The “Stanley” was obliged to return to Pictou on account of the heavy ice. (Pat 8 Jan p3#1)
Jan 12 North Sydney, CB, the schooner “Olive,” arrived here and reports left Boston 27th ult. off Canso go into ice, bursted foresail and ran into Glasgow harbor to repair sail. (MH 13/01/1891 p3 #4)
Jan 31 SS “Portia” 45°50’N 59°20’W steamed through several patches of low small ice, known as white slob ice. (HB #76 Feb 11)
Feb Issue MWR: The easternmost ice reported was a large berg in 44°33’N 44°59’W on the 5th. The southernmost ice was floe ice in 44°20’N 48°W on the 22nd. On the 5th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 18th and 22nd Gulf ice was reported between Cape Breton Is. and Newfoundland.
Feb 5 SS “Portia” entered field ice 30 miles E of Scatari Island Light and continued in it to 60 miles W of St. Pierre, Miq. The ice was about 2 feet thick. (HB #77 Feb 18)
Feb 5 Port Hawkesbury, H A Archibald’s mail team drove across the Straits of Canso to-day to Mulgrave station. The ice is jammed at McMillan’s point and crossing is perfectly good. Travel between Cape Breton and Nova Scotia will this likely continue in this way for some time. (MH 06/02/1891 p3 #4)
Feb 7 Schooner “Fannie A. Spurling” encountered heavy ice off Whitehead. Her stem was badly broken, bobstay started, and other damage received, in consequence she had to put in to Whitehead, leaking. (HB #78 Feb 25)
Feb 8 SS “Portia” entered field ice 78 miles W of St. Pierre and kept in it for 30 miles to westward. (HB #77 Feb 18)
Feb 14 White Head, American schooner “Fanny A Spurling”, put in here today in a wrecked condition, his vessel having struck heavy ice off the coast at 3 a.m. this morning, which caused the stern to be knocked off to the island; the forward part of the keel started and bob stay parted. The vessel is leaking considerably and the captain intends to proceed to Halifax for repairs. (MH 16/02/1891 p3#4)
Feb 14,15 SS “Sarnia” 44°52’N 56°45’W to 44°50’N 57°45’W passed a great quantity of field ice; also 1 piece 80 miles E of Halifax. . (HB #78 Feb 25)
Feb 16 SS “Sarnia” at Halifax, heavy field ice at the entrance to the Gulf extending about 40m. (NYMR)
Feb 20 SS “Damara” 44°28’N 58°W passed light field ice. (HB #81 Mar 18)
Feb 20 Pictou, the “Stanley” left here at daylight on Monday and has been stuck ever since off White Sands near Wood Islands, where the passengers landed. A change of wind may bring the ”Stanley” to port. She has had a terrible time this winter. (MH 21/02/1891 p3 #3)
Feb 23 Pictou, no word yet of the “Stanley,” now a week stuck in the ice. (MH 24/02/1891 p3 #5)
Feb 25 SS “Alcides” met ice field in 44°57’N 56°46’W, it seemed to be from the Gulf of St. Lawrence and was not very heavy. (HB #80 Mar 11)
Mar 1 The steamer “Stanley” reached Georgetown yesterday after being stuck in the ice for two weeks. (MH 02/03/1891 p3 #1)
Mar 7 SS “De Ruyter” from Antwerp to Boston 48°30’N 47°W passed several bergs; a few hours later encountered field ice; heavy field ice also encountered between Sable Is. and the main land. (NYMR)
Mar 14 North Sydney, the schooner “Mary Moulton” sailed on a sealing voyage yesterday. Six more schooners will follow in a day of so. The ice moved off from North Sydney and out ports on the 14th. The coast is now clear. (MH 18/03/1891 p3 #3)
Apr Issue MWR: The southernmost ice reported was a square, flat berg, observed on the 13th in 40°01’N 48°24’W, and the easternmost ice reported was a berg noted on the 20th in 45°33’N 43°32’W. Ice was most frequently encountered along the SE edge of the Banks of Newfoundland, but was reported westward to the Newfoundland coast. Large quantities of field ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and on the Cape Breton, east of Nova Scotia, and west Newfoundland coasts seriously interfered with navigation.
Apr SS “Sardinian” met large ice fields E of Bird Rocks. Innumerable seals covered the ice. (HB #87 Apr 19)
Apr 2 SS “Portia” 45°35’N 58°W passed field ice in patches. (HB #85 Apr 15)
Apr 3 Canso, arrived 2 schrs “John G. Whittier,” (Am) Gloucester for Banks, met ice 25 miles east Cape Canso and returned. (MH 04/04/1891 p3 #4)
Apr 4 A report from Canso states that a large body of field ice is moving westward. Two fishing schooners had to put back to Canso on that account. The prevalent E wind was blocking the coast with ice. (HB #84 Apr 8)
Apr 7 SS “Demoizelle” 44°30’N 61°40’W ran into ice fields during a snow storm at 1 pm. At 6 [pm] when the weather cleared there was no open water in sight. We remained 20 hours in the ice and passed a large quantity between the above position and Louisburg. (HB #86 Apr 22)
Apr 8 Pictou, the steamer “Stanley” arrived at noon to-day and will return at daylight to-morrow, reaching here again on Sunday. She left Georgetown last Sunday and has been off the harbor stuck in the ice since that time. Had it not been for a change of wind she would have been out there for many days yet. A large number of passengers are waiting to go over to the island. The ice in the harbor is all breaking up and with a good wind to drive it out a few days will see navigation opened. (MH 04/04/1891 p3 #1)
Apr 9 Schooner “Demoizelle” from New York to St. John’s arrived at Louisburg badly cut by ice. (HB #84 Apr 8)
Apr 12 Schooner “Susan L. Hodge” 44°25’N 61°30’W sighted field ice; sailed along its southern edge clearing it in 45°15’N 56°50’W. (HB #87 Apr 19)
Apr 13 Sealing schooner “Miriam Smith” was crushed in the ice at Bird Rocks. (HB #84 Apr 8)
Apr 13 Low Point, CB, fine, light southwest; ice distant. (MH 14/04/1891 p3#4)
Apr 16 Fishing schooner “John G. Whittier” was jammed in the ice 27 miles off Scatari and damaged her topsides. (HB #86 Apr 22)
Apr 16 North Sydney, the American fishing schooner “John G. Whittier,” reports got badly jammed in the ice about 27 miles off Scatterie. The captain reports making about two hundred and fifty strokes an hour. He thinks the damage is in the top sides. The American schooner “Blanche” grounded on Petrie ledges while making port in a thick snow storm at 2 a.m. to-day. The steam tug “Gladiator” towed her off for $200 and brought her into port for examination. (MH 17/04/1891 p3 #4)
Apr 18 SS “Minia” 45°39’N 58°30’W skirted the eastern edge of an ice field extending about 10 miles NE and SW. (HB #89 May 13)
Apr 20 The department of marine has been notified that the Newfoundland sealing schooner “Marion Smith” has been crushed in the ice at Bird Rocks, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The crew escaped and managed to effect a safe landing on the island, where they are being sheltered and fed by the lighthouse keeper. As the Dominion government had no steamer available, the government of Newfoundland had been notified to send a steamer to bring off the wrecked crew. (MH 20/04/1891 p3 #1)
Apr 23 Canso, arrived to-day with eighty quintals the schooner “Roseneath,” the first of this season from the Banks. She found fish very scarce. A large fleet of Nova Scotian and United States bankers are here waiting the lifting of the ice blockade in the Strait of Canso, bound to Georgetown and Magdalens for bait. (MH 24/04/1891 p3 #5)
Apr 26 SS Lake Superior” was delayed 19 hours by field ice, a large quantity of which we passed between Cape Ray and Bird Rocks. The ice was drifting about NE. (HB #88 May 6)
Apr 26,27 SS “Toronto” between Cape Ray and Bird Rock encountered large fields of closely packed ice. (HB #89 May 13)
Apr 27 SS “Grecian” fell in with field ice 40 miles W of Cape Ray which extended as far W as Bird Rocks. (HB #88 May 6)
Apr 27 Port Mulgrave, arrived schr “Viola”; Souris for Halifax; 3 other schrs left Souris same time now in ice of McMullen’s Point. (MH 28/04/1891 p3#5)
Apr 28 Schooner “Cepola” of Shelbourne, NS., was damaged by ice in the Straits of Canso, so as to become leaky. (HB #88 May 6)
Apr 28 Low Point, CB, wind light from south and cloudy; ice light and open from north; close packed east and southeast. Port Mulgrave, in port sixty five sail of vessels bound north waiting for the ice to clear. (MH 29/04/1891 p3 #5)
Apr 29 The ice in the straits had pretty well moved out and the P E Island steamers are running to Charlottetown from Pictou, and from Shediac to Summerside as well, making daily trips both ways. Travellers by this route will be gratified at the announcement. Large ice fields were met with east of Bird Rocks, and innumerable seals covered their surfaces. (MH 29/04/1891 p3 #1)
Apr 29 Low Point, CB, wind light, northeast, rainy; ice open moving southeast. (HH 30/04/1892 p3 #4)
Apr 30 Port Mulgrave, not much ice between Souris and the strait. (MH 01/05/1892 p3#6)
Apr 30 Halifax, arrived Barque “Armenia”, Cape Town, bound to Miramichi, NB. Made the Cape Breton coast, and got into heavy ice 20 miles south of Scattarie and remained in it several hours. Turned back and made Canso on the 29th of April, but found the ice too heavy to get through the Strait, then bore up for this port. The ice extended from Louisburg to Canso. (MH 04/05/1891 p3 #5)
May “In the early part of the month field ice interfered with navigation on the Cape Breton and east Nova Scotia coasts and about the Magdalen Islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.” (MWR May 106.2)
May 4 SS’s “Bonavista” and “Thames” are reported caught in the ice off the entrance to Sydney Harbour, CB. (HB #89 May 13)
May 4 North Sydney, CB, the steamers “Bonavista” and “Thames” are reported arrived at Cow Bay. The schooner “G G”, of Burin, lost his foremast in the gale of the 29th off Burgeo. He reports no ice to be seen in the gulf north of St. Paul’s and only a narrow strip along the coast to Scatarie Island. He came through it yesterday from the northward without any trouble. (MH 05/05/1891 p3 #5)
May 4 Low Point, CB, ice open with heavy close packed east and south east. Port Mulgrave, Schr “Arctic” was driven ashore to-day by ice and was pulled off by stmr “Rimouski”; not injured. (MH 05/05/1891 p3 #5)
May 8 SS “Parisian” passed much field ice between St. Paul Rock and Cape St. Lawrence, and also off the S shore of Magdalen Islands. (HB #90 May 20)
May 8 Bark “Valona” saw field ice along the shore of Cape Breton Island up to St. Paul Island and as far to the NW as the eye could reach. (HB #91 May 27)
May 16 Bark “Cambalu” from Barbados to Miramichi was caught in the ice off the Nova Scotia coast for 5 days and suffered some damage to her copper. (HB #90 May 20)
May 16 Low Point, CB, ice moving off fast. (MH 18/05/1892 p3 #6)