1905 Season
Nov 10 Last eastbound steamer through the Strait of Belle Isle. (WBB)
Dec 7 North Sydney: SS “St. Helena” which arrived Port Morien from Quebec Dec. 4 encountered considerable ice in the St. Lawrence. The steamer was assisted part of the way by the ice-breaker “Champlain”. (HB #799 Dec 21)
Jan 3 Sydney, the steamer “Bruce” arrived yesterday at North Sydney after having taken 20 hours in crossing from Port aux Basques, the run under ordinary circumstances being one of six hours. She reports the gulf so completely filled with ice that not a blue spot was seen after leaving Port aux Basque. The “Bruce” had to plough her way through a foot of ice to dock at terminal wharf at North Sydney. (HH 24/01/1905 p7#5)
Jan 6 The “Stanley” arrived at Georgetown. (Pat 6 Jan p8#3)
Jan 10 St. John’s, the American schooner “Landseer” had been sunk in the Middle Arm of Bay of Islands, where she was loading with herring. A fierce gale drove the ice floe against her. Her crew barely escaped with their live. (HH 11/01/1905 p1#5)
Jan 19 The northern shore of Cape Breton is blocked with ice today. (LL 30 Jan)
Jan 19 Sydney, NS:- Steamers “Heim” (Nor) and “Duncan” (Nor), which left North Sydney for sea yesterday, are caught in the ice at Low Point, at the entrance to Sydney harbor. It is feared that they will be frozen in if the present cold weather continues. Sydney harbor is now frozen all the way to North Sydney. Shipping is still going on at North Sydney, but it is believed the harbor cannot remain open much longer. The steamer “Bruce” which arrived at North Sydney Jan 18 from Port aux Basques, reports encountered heavy drift ice shortly after sailing. She was 10 hours late, and only got clear of ice near Sydney. Drift ice has been observed passing out of Gulf of St. Lawrence since Jan 14th, the earliest date recorded for fifteen years. In consequence of continued westerly gales prevailing it will now be encountered eastward of Scatari Island. (NYMR 25 Jan p. 10, col. 1)
Jan 22 The Lunenburg schooner “Australia,” which arrived in port Sunday night lost two of her crew on the passage here from Newfoundland, and met extremely rough weather and plenty of ice. Captain Butt said that he spent only one day in port since leaving Bay of Islands, fifteen days ago, and that was at Bay St. George. The vessel was caught in the ice off St. Paul’s Island and her sides were damaged. She was two days and two nights in the ice and did not get clear of it until fifty miles east-northeast of Scaterie. (HH 24/01/1905 p10#5)
Jan 24 The steamer “Pro Patria” arrived yesterday afternoon from St. Pierre via Louisburg. The ship on arrival here was badly iced up. She had a fairly good passage, only that Monday night she was in a gale, that seas breaking over her. The weather was also exceedingly cold. Her officers report heavy drift-ice in the gulf, and in fact all along the coast. The steamer met it eighty miles from St. Pierre. (HH 25/01/1905 p10#3)
Feb 4 Not a train has moved in Prince Edward Island since February 4th, the only means of crossing the strait has been by open ice boats between the capes. (HH 06/03/1905 p1#4)
Feb 6 About all the harbors along the south shore are frozen up. It is impossible for a steamer to get into some of them, and in others the utmost difficulty is experienced. At Shelburne freight from the coastwise steamers has to be discharged at Sand Point. Halifax is as clear of ice as in summer. (HH 06/02/1905 p10#3)
Feb 10 St. Johns, NB [?] SS “Wyandotte” which sailed from Louisburg Feb 7 met field ice and had to return to port. (HB #808 Feb 21)
Feb 16 SS “Manchester Importer” 45°11’N 58°06’W saw a closely packed ice field from 6 inches to 1 foot thick and miles long. (HB #809 Mar 1)
Feb 17 SS “Manchester Importer” 44°22’N 63°01’W passed thin field ice. (HB #809 Mar 1)
Feb 18 Canso, one fortnight ago to-day the schooner “Foaming Billow” left Canso harbor for Port of Hastings, to load coal for Halifax and meeting heavy ice running in Chebucto Bay was driven off the coast until a change of wind carried the vessel again into the side bay, and the following night, with the wind blowing a hurricane from the north east, he was driven into shoal water off Fox Island and in trying to prevent the vessel from going ashore he lost both anchors. Heavy slob ice had formed near the shore and into this the vessel was driven, bow on and remained there frozen in for several days, until a southwest wind loosened the ice and Captain Wrayton resolved to try and make Louisburg harbor. He had now no anchors and very little ballast in his vessel and the changing of the wind prevented him reaching that harbor, Saturday night last. With a terrible wind and severe frost he was driven off the coast in the latitude of Sable Island. All day Sunday they carried sail to prevent the vessel coming in contact with large field ice. Ever since Sunday last Captain Wrayton has been drifting off the coast. Sometimes in the vicinity of Sable Island and again almost on the coast of the mainland. Time and again, he says they came in sight of the lights of the town of Louisburg only again to be driven off to sea. Friday night last was a terrible night, with sleet and rain and the wind about southwest. At six a.m. Saturday Green Island was sighted and, with a change in the wind they were able to make Canso harbor, which fortunately was clear of ice, so that the vessel could be docked, having no anchors aboard. Captain Wrayton says it is an ocean of ice everywhere. Repeatedly the crew became discouraged and it was only because of the captain’s courage and determination that their spirits were kept up. For days and night at a stretch Captain Wrayton never left the bow of the vessel and he shows the results of his sufferings from cold and anxiety. Several times their hopes were almost gone, when they found their rudder frozen up so that the vessel could not be steered and was in great danger of coming into collision with large pans of ice. (HH 20/02/1905 p2#6,7)
Feb 19 Heavy ice off Pubnico, NS. (LL)
Feb 20 All the small coastwise steamers running to southern shore ports from Yarmouth, have been forced to suspend operations on account of ice. One of the smallest of them, the “Gertrude M” has broken a dozen propellers during the past year, most of them this season, and has also been forced to renew her rudder three or four times. The steamer “Senlac,” which arrived yesterday, reports that Barrington Passage is completely frozen up and that she is now compelled to that the outer course around Cape Sable. The steamer tried to get through it, but stopped after proceeding but a short distance, and backed out. The ice and snow was found to be from three to four feet thick, broken up into cakes. This is a very unusual state of affair for Barrington passage, where the tide runs very swiftly. (HH 20/02/1905 p10#4)
Feb 28 The schooner “Mauna Loa,” of LaHave, which loaded fish last week for Halifax was compelled to lie at the edge of the ice of Brick Shoal buoy, Lunenburg, while the cargo was taken out to her in teams. This is the first time in thirty years that teams have been able to cross Lunenburg harbor, the last occasion being when the barques “Mary” and “Scotia” were frozen in there. (HH 28/02/1905 p10#4)
Mar 5 Pictou, the blockade of the Prince Edward Island steamers had at last been partially raised. On Friday afternoon the “Minto” and “Stanley,” one from each side, got within two miles of each other, a heavy field of ice preventing them getting nearer. The “Minto” had left Pictou without passengers or freight, so taking the passengers from the “Stanley,” she returned to Pictou and left yesterday morning with about 150 passengers, mails, and baggage, which will be transferred by teams across the field of ice to the “Stanley.” From this ice field to Prince Edward Island there is said to be very little ice and the “Stanley” will find no difficulty in reaching Georgetown. Some of the passengers who left Pictou yesterday morning have been in Pictou for over a month. Not a train has moved in Prince Edward Island since February 4th, the only means of crossing the strait has been by open ice boats between the capes. (HH 06/03/1905 p1#4)
Mar 9 SS “Coronation” 45°38’N 57°31’W saw large fields of impenetrable ice extending toward the NW. (HB #813 Mar 29)
Mar 11 The steamer “Stanley,” jammed in the ice for the past four days in crossing from Prince Edward Island to the mainland. At four o’clock yesterday she was off Cape Bear. The “Minto” did not leave Pictou yesterday. (HH 11/03/1905 p12#4)
Mar 20 St. John’s: Advices from the northern and western coasts report the worst ice blockade in modern times. Ice floes extend hundreds of miles seaward. Along the northern coast ice is packed in heavy fields. These also extend out from the Gulf of St. Lawrence past St. Pierre, Miq., thence south beyond Sable Is. and eastward beyond Cape Race, closing Placentia Bay. Steamers have been unable to enter the bay for 10 days. (NYMR & HH 25/03/1905 p15#3)
Mar 21 St. John’s, four sealing steamers, the “Aurora,” and “Panther,” off the northern coast, and the “Algerine” and “Viking” in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, were sighted from shore to-day among the ice floes, apparently taking seals. Others sighted further north were similarly employed. (HH 22/03/1905 p1#3)
Mar 23 SS “Washington” 43°50’N 58°16’W passed large ice fields. (HB #814 Apr 5)
Mar 23 SS “North Point” 44°20’N 56°50’W to Mar. 24, 44°N 57°40’W passed large quantities of field ice. (HB #814 Apr 5)
Mar 23 The steamer “Minto” is in the ice about six miles from Pictou wharf and will probably be there all night. The wind is easterly and the ice heavy. (HH 23/03/1905 p12#4)
Mar 27 Lunenburg, the fishing schooners “Lucinia”, “Oregon”, and “Campania”, were iced out of the harbor at Riverport last Wednesday and proceeded to this port to fit out for the Banks. The pressure of ice in this part of the La Have the latter part of March is a most unusual occurrence. There is a thickness of from two and one-half to three feet covering the river and harbors along its banks. (HH 30/03/1905 p10#5)
Apr 1 The steamer “Bonavista” arrived at St. John’s, Nfld., last Saturday. On account of the ice she had to take a 200 mile round of Sable Island to reach port. (HH 06/04/1905 p10#5)
Apr 2 42°03’N 57°18’W a very large berg.
Apr 7 North Sydney, N S: Heavy drift ice is hampering navigation on the St. Lawrence River and steamers cannot enter the Gulf. Steamer “Bruce”, which arrived from Newfoundland to-day, reports having sighted eight ocean steamers in the ice. Steamer “Herod”, which sailed for Montréal on Friday, has returned to port. (HB 819 May 10)
Apr 8 Point Escuminac: Heavy close packed ice inshore. Cape Tormentine: Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Grosse Isle: Heavy open ice everywhere, moving east. Cape St. Lawrence: Heavy open ice everywhere. (HB 815 Apr 12 CSS)
Apr 10 Open water in the [St. Lawrence] river. (HB 815 Apr 12 CSS)
Apr 10 Mulgrave: Very little ice in strait. Port Hood: Bay full of ice. Anticosti Stations: No ice. Low Point: Heavy close packed ice distant. Cape Ray: Heavy close packed ice distant. (HB 815 Apr 12 CSS)
Apr 15 Grosse Isle: Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cape St. Lawrence: Heavy open ice everywhere. (HB 816 Apr 19 CSS)
Apr 17 Open water in the [St. Lawrence] river. (HB 816 Apr 19 CSS)
Apr 17 Anticosti Stations: No ice. Mulgrave: Some light scattered ice in strait. Port Hood: Bay full of ice. Magdalen Islands: Heavy open ice distant. Low Point: Heavy close packed ice distant, moving southeast. North Sydney harbour clear of ice. Cape Ray: Heavy open ice everywhere, moving north. (HB 815 Apr 12 CSS)
Apr 18 SS “Wasis” at North Sydney sighted a steamer supposed to be the “Bruce”, fast in the ice outside former port. The “Bruce” is bound for North Sydney from Newfoundland. The “Wasis” left Halifax Apr 3rd. (NYMR)
Apr 20 Sydney: A very extensive field of Gulf of St. Lawrence ice, which on Apr 3rd closed in on Eastern Nova Scotia coast, has moved off, permitting movement of vessels along western edge. The field still extends from Cape North southward to east of Sable Is. It is exceptionally heavy and close packed, and should easterly winds prevail will render navigation difficult for several weeks. (NYMR)
Apr 21-25Cable Steamer “Mackay-Bennett”, reports encountering numerous icebergs in latitude 43°10’N from 49°50’W to 60°10’W. [The Associated Press.] (HB 817 Apr 26 CSS)
Apr 24 Halifax: Tug “Standard” with an oil barge in tow bound from Boston for Montreal put in here today on account of ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. (NYMR)
Apr 24 Open water in the [St. Lawrence] river. (HB 817 Apr 26 CSS)
Apr 24 Anticosti: No ice. Point Escuminac: No ice. Cape Tormentine: Light open ice everywhere. Mulgrave: Strait full of ice. Port Hood: Ice breaking up. Magdalen Islands: Light close packed ice inshore. Cape St. Lawrence: Heavy open ice distant. Low Point: No ice. Steamer “Jacona” arrived at Louisburg yesterday. Cape Ray: Heavy close packed ice everywhere moving southeast. (HB 817 Apr 26 CSS)
Apr 24 St. John’s, N F: Steamer “Algerine” reports very heavy ice in Gulf of St. Lawrence. [The Associated Press.] (HB 817 Apr 26 CSS)
Apr 29 Open water in the [St. Lawrence] river. (HB 818 May 3 CSS)
Apr 29 Anticosti: No ice. Point Escuminac: No ice. Cape Traverse: Very little ice in sight. Mulgrave: Some light scattered ice in strait. Port Hood: Bay full of drifting ice. Grosse Isle: About 2 miles of light open ice moving east. Amherst Island: No ice. Cape St. Lawrence: Heavy close packed ice everywhere moving west. Meat Cove: Heavy close packed ice everywhere about 30 miles wide. Low Point: Heavy close packed ice, distant about 8 miles, stationary. Cape Ray: Heavy close packed ice everywhere moving northwest. Five steamers fast in ice; too far off to make out signals. (HB 818 May 3 CSS)
Apr 29 SS “Monmouth” 47°16’N 58°45’W: entered field ice, and May 6, 47°32’N 60°W, cleared it. (HB 820 May 17)
Apr 30 Ship unable to get into Sydney because of ice. (LL)
May 1 45°36’N 57°48’W large ice fields. (NYMR 10 May)
May 1 Quebec: A telegram from Cape Ray on Saturday stated that 5 steamers were stuck in the ice off there. The ice extends across the gulf. (NYMR 10 May)
May 2 HMS “Latona” which passed E of Cape Race today reports sighting large ice fields in 45°36’N 57°48’N. (NYMR 10 May)
May 2 Meat Cove – Heavy Gulf ice reported; no fishing. (HH 02/05/1905 p2#4)
May 2 SS “Dominion”: Encountered heavy packed field ice 15 miles north of Cape Ray which extended 35 miles to the northward. (HB 819 May 10)
May 2 SS “Tritonia” 46°30’N 57°22’W: encountered field ice which extended to May 3, 47°09’N 58°40’W. Off Cape Ray met heavy field ice which extended across the entrance to the Gulf St. Lawrence. (HB 819 May 10)
May 2 SS “Corinthian”: Steamed from 70 miles SE [possibly SW] of St. Pierre to 5 miles from Flint Island and found a field of ice all the way; ran west 20 miles in the ice but had to turn back. After skirting the eastern edge of the field entered it and steered N 5° W for Cape Ray and found the ice more detached. Cleared the ice 25 miles NW of Cape Ray. (HB 820 May 17)
May 2 SS “Torr Head” 47°35’N 57°W: encountered thick field ice and cleared it in 47°35’N 57°30’W. (HB 820 May 17)
May 3 SS “Hermod”: Steaming along shore from Scatari Island toward Sydney, C B, passed fields of thick pack ice which extended seaward as far as could be seen. (HB 819 May 10)
May 3 SS “Torr Head”: met thick field ice in 47°37’N 58°44’W, which extended to 47°37’N 59°44’W. (HB 820 May 17)
May 4 SS “Hurona” 46°45’N 57°12’W: entered field ice and cleared it in 47°40’N 60°20’W. (HB 820 May 17)
May 5 Port Hawkesbury: Scattered ice covers the Straits of Canso for miles. Open water from Cape Jack to Cape George. The westerly winds keeps the ice on the Cape Breton coast. (NYMR 10 May)
May 5 Reports of heavy ice in Cabot Strait from both St. John’s and Sydney. (NYMR)
May 5 Ship “Trafalgar” from Barbados to Miramichi, NB fast in the ice at 45°30’N 59°10’W. (NYMR 10 May)
May 5 SS “Victorian” for Montreal is stuck in an ice floe 1 mile off Cape Ray at the entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. She is unable to proceed further, the ice being packed across Cabot Strait. (NYMR 10 May)
May 5 Sydney: Large quantities of heavy, close packed drift ice is still passing off this coast from Cabot Strait. All steamers which have up to the present left Sydney for Montreal, were compelled to go southerly and enter Gulf via Strait of Canso, where after considerable detention most of the vessels have got through. Reports yesterday from Magdelen Islands, Cape Ray and Cape St. Lawrence state icefield becoming more open. Many steamers sighted daily attempting to work inward. (NYMR 10 May)
May 5 SS “Vancouver”: 45°53’N 56°30’W, to May 7, 47°40’N 60°24’W, passed thick pack ice which extended well to the southward. (HB 821 May 24)
May 7 SS “Wyandotte” 45°37’N 59°20’W: encountered light slob ice which changed to heavy field ice too thick to steam through. From this position made course for Louisburg, passing through light field ice 10 miles offshore and skirting ice all the way. (HB 820 May 17)
May 7 SS “Marian” 46°16’N 57°55’W: entered field ice, but could not get through it. (HB 821 May 24)
May 8 SS “M C Holm” at Cape Ray for Montreal with plates damaged by ice. (NYMR)
May 8 St. John’s, Nfld., the Danish steamer “M C Holm,” for Montreal, which has put into Port Bay with five bow plates stove by ice, reports that five other schooners and one barque are on the outer edge of an ice floe unable to enter the Gulf owing to immense ice packs. (HH 09/05/1905 p9#3)
May 13 Cape Ray: Light open ice distant moving southeast. (HB 820 May 17 CSS)
May 15 Open water in the [St. Lawrence] river. (HB 820 May 17 CSS)
May 15 SS “Montezuma” about 16 miles W of Cape Ray encountered heavy field ice about 15 miles wide. (HB #822 May 31)
May 15 Sydney, two Newfoundland fisherman, James Bartlett and William Herritt, of the schooner “Excelda,” were picked up on the ice-floes off Scatterie on Wednesday by the French schooner “Emile” and brought into this port today. The men were on the floe for twelve days, having strayed from their vessel on the 29th of April. They tell a thrilling story of their sufferings. All the food that they ate during that time was a few fish that they taken from their trawls and the water procured on the ice. They were in a precarious condition when rescued but with good care they will likely recover. (HH 16/05/1905 p2#5)
May 15 Meat Cove, CB, the steamer “Minto,” on a Marconi expedition, passed here Saturday morning bound for Cape Ray. She came back in the afternoon and anchored here. Captain Finlayson reports ice all the way from Cape North to Cape Ray. The “Minto” being built to withstand ice found no trouble in going through it, but it is heavy enough for other steamers. While here the “Minto” was in wireless communication with Cape Ray and for six hours yesterday with the turbiner “Victorian,” bound out. There is no ice north of Cape North. (HH 16/05/1905 p2#7)
May 15 Anticosti: No ice. Magdalen Islands: No ice. Cape St. Lawrence: Light open ice inshore. Meat Cove: Heavy open ice everywhere east of here. No ice westward. SS “Minto” anchored here Saturday; found too much ice off Cape Ray; left this morning to try again. Low Point: Heavy close packed ice distant moving south. (HB 820 May 17 CSS)
May 18 Sydney, NS, May 18- The ice field which for past three weeks extended from Cape St. Lawrence and Cape Ray southward to Scatari Island has moved south, and during past four days filled bays from Ingonish to Louisburg with heavy open ice. Vessels bound for Sydney and Louisburg harbors are now experiencing considerable difficulty and detention. Steamers from Sydney for Montreal have since 14th been able to enter Gulf via Cape North, and it is thought ice will entirely disappear north if Scattari within a few days. (NYMR, p. 10, col. 4)
May 19 SS “Canada” 47°45’N 60°25’W to 48°N 61°20’W passed several pieces of ice. (HB #822 May 31)
May 20 SS “Rathlin Head” 47°41’N 59°55’W to Bird Rocks saw patches of heavy pack ice. (HB #822 May 31)
May 20 SS “Monmouth” 47°50’N 60°32’W encountered light field ice extending eastward. (HB #824 Jun 14)
May 20 Open water in the [St. Lawrence] river. (HB 821 May 24 CSS)
May 20 Anticosti: No ice. Magdalen Islands: No ice. Cape St. Lawrence: No ice. Low Point: Heavy, open ice distant moving southeast. Cape Ray: No ice. (HB 821 May 24 CSS)
May 22 SS “Norden” 45°55’N 59°45’W to May 23, 59°08’W encountered large masses of field or broken ice. (HB #826 Jun 28)
Jun 5 First Westbound steamer through the strait of Belle Isle. (WBB)