1908 Season
Nov 23 Last eastbound steamer through the Strait of Belle Isle. (WBB)
Nov 29 Quebec: Steamer “Nancy Lee” was driven ashore by ice Nov. 20 and got off next day when ice in Saguenay cleared off. (LL 10 Dec.11.30)
Dec 4 Last departure of the season from Quebec. (WBB)
Dec 6 Quebec: “The last vessel the steamer “Fritzof” left here yesterday for Sydney (CB).” (LL 17 Dec.12.32)
Dec 6 Navigation closed. (LL 7 Dec.11.27
Jan 7 Sydney, what is undoubtedly the largest number of Gloucester vessels engaged in the frozen herring industry is gathered at present at Bay of Islands, Nfld. The fleet comprises no less than thirty-five sail, the largest ever known at this season of the year. Had it not been for the unprecedented mild weather along the Newfoundland coastal waters the frozen herring industry of 1907 would have a record one. Only ten days ago the weather conditions were such as to permit of phenomenal catches being made by the schooners being frozen in, and on this account, few, if any of the schooners were able to sail for home. Yesterday morning twenty-one Gloucester schooners, loaded to the hatches were lying in the waters at Woody Island, awaiting favorable winds to sail, and at the Middle Arm nine more vessels, all nearly loaded, are filling up and will sail Thursday with full fares. (HH 08/01/1908 p1#3)
Jan 8 Friday night the thermometer registered 20 degrees of frost, and ice formed on the Humber Arm. In some places it was fully five inches in thickness. Saturday’s south-wester broke it all up again, and took it out the Bay. (TWS, pg 4, Col. 4)
Jan 8 The SS “Fiona” sailed from here yesterday morning, from Port-aux-Basques. This steamer was here… on fishery protection service. Fortunately her services were not needed as badly as last season, for breaking ice and freeing nets, as but very little ice has formed yet. (TWS, pg 4, Col. 4)
Jan 15 There has not been any ice in the arms and it almost looks as though the season is going to be an open one. (TWS, pg 4, Col. 1)
Jan 22 The coldest nights of the winter were those of Sunday and Monday when the thermometer went down to and 2 above 0. Ice formed on Humber Arm, extending across from Birchy Cove, and yesterday people crossed over it from Corner Brook. (TWS, pg 4, Col. 5)
Feb 11 Salem: British schooner “Vera B. Roberts” from Kingsport (N.S.) for New York remains fast in the ice in the harbour with captain sick. (LL 25 Feb.12.37)
Feb 12 North Sydney: “Navigation closed. There is considerable ice in the Gulf” (LL 13 Feb.11.24)
Feb 12 St. John, the government steamer “Stanley” and the “Minto” are both firmly stuck in the heavy ice in Northumberland Straits for the first time this winter. They left Pictou and Georgetown this morning and had to stop at nine o’clock, as the ice, which, under the northeast wind has been piling up since Sunday, proved impassable. At last reports both were immovable and while there is a slight prospect that a change of tide will open a passage, the probabilities are that a change of wind will be necessary to move the ice. Not one trip, either to or from Prince Edward Island has been missed this winter and the steamers have never been out all night. (HH 13/02/1908 p9#5)
Feb 13 Pictou: Steamers “Stanley” and “Minto” running between Pictou and Georgetown, PEI, are fast in the ice. The “Stanley” is off Pictou Island and “Minto” 5 miles off Cape Bear. (LL 25 Feb.12.38)
Feb 15 Louisburg, the appearance in port of the Newfoundland steamer “Bruce” caused a surprise in shipping circles. The steamer was unable to get within ten miles of North Sydney harbor owing to the solid field of drift ice and proceeded to Louisburg. (HH 17/02/1908 p9#4)
Feb 19 A splendid sheet of ice now covers the Humber Arm… (TWS, pg 4, Col. 4)
Feb 19 Saturday we experienced a sudden change from almost 0 to a spring-like temperature. On Sunday the air was balmy… more like the last day of April than the middle of February. The downpour of rain and the warm winds caused the snow to quickly melt, and considerably weakened the ice on the Humber Arm. (TWS, pg 4, Col. 4)
Feb 26 There was splendid skating and ice boating on Humber Arm. (TWS, pg 4, Col. 4)
Mar 3 SS “Wasia” arrived Halifax from Louisburg with propeller blade broken by ice. [cf. Mar4]
Mar 4 No drift ice has been sighted in the Gulf this winter, either from Lark Harbor or Bonne Bay; in fact there was none sighted as far south as Cape Auguille. (TWS, pg 3, Col. 4)
Mar 4 Damaged by Freshet- …The wind blew very strongly Sat. morning, and so great was its force that the ice in Humber Arm shifted several yards; in fact from Benoit’s Cove out the ice broke up and went down the bay, and was piled high over John’s Beach. The mild spurt opened all the western brooks and rivers… The ice in Robinson’s Brook swept everything before it… Here the ice piled up to a height of 15 feet… (TWS, pg 4, Col. 3)
Mar 4 There has been splendid ice-boating and fairly good skating the past three days in Humber Arm. (TWS, pg 4, Col. 3)
Mar 4: Halifax: “Steamer “Wobun” arrived yesterday with British steamer “Wasis” in tow from Louisburg, where the “Wasis’” propeller blades were broken by ice.” [cf. Mar 3] (LL 17 Mar.14.33)
Mar 9 Glasgow: “The river St. Lawrence is now practically free of ice, and the opening of navigation may be expected at an early date.” (LL 10 Mar.12.32)
Mar 11 No Ice- By advises just to hand from Current Island, the weather along the northern part of the coast has been exceptionally mild this winter. There has been very little snow… There has been little or no drift ice on the coast in the Straits… (TWS, pg 4, Col. 3)
Mar 11 The ice on Humber Arm is very thin in places, and is gradually weakening by the current. There are numerous holes in it. There has been barely more than 3 inches of ice in any part of the Arm. (TWS, pg 4, Col. 4)
Mar 11 There is a heavy body of ice in the Cabot Strait, and the “Bruce” has had to go to Louisburg the last three trips. The last round trip was a trying one, and occupied about 80 hours. (TWS, pg 4, Col. 5)
Mar 18 Last week’s northwester drove the gulf ice tight to the shores of the West coast, filling all the bays and harbours. This is the first time the drift ice has been in this winter. (TWS, pg 4, Col. 4)
Mar 19 The ice is breaking up early this season. Already shipping is beginning to move about. The fishing fleet is fitting out for the spring trip and the Lunenburg fleet will sail the last of this week or on Monday next. The LaHave is open for navigation and the steamer “Atlantic” will leave on Saturday morning for her first trip to Bridgewater for this season. The regular bi-weekly service will be maintained. The schooner “Alice and Nellie,” Captain Young, arrived yesterday from Perpeswick, with a cargo of cordwood. The harbor is fairly clear of ice. This is Captain Young’s earliest trip in 12 years. (HH 19/03/1908 p7#5)
Mar 20 L’Islet: river covered with scattered ice moving down. Father Point: light open ice inshore. Fame Point: light open ice inshore. Cap des Rosiers: heavy open ice everywhere moving south. West Point: light scattered broken ice everywhere. Southwest Point: heavy open ice distant moving to the west. South Point: open water everywhere. Heath Point: heavy open ice distant moving to the southwest. Low Point: heavy open ice everywhere moving to the southwest. Magdalen Islands: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Amherst Island: heavy open ice moving to the southwest. Cape St. Lawrence: heavy close packed ice. (HB 969 Mar 25 CSS)
Mar 22 SS “Gallia” 43°59’N 57°20’W: passed through field ice which extended for ½ mile. (HB 970 Apr 1)
Mar 23 [Cable Ship] “Mackay-Bennett”: 44°55’N 60°34’W to 45°03’N 60°W, saw small field ice. (HB 972 Apr 15)
Mar 25 Steamer “Kite” of St. John’s while on a sealing voyage was jammed in the ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and had her rudder and sternpost broken; arrived St. John’s April 27. (LL 23 May 14.34)
Mar 27 L’Islet: no ice. Father Point: no ice. Fame Point: no ice in sight. Cap des Rosiers: heavy open ice inshore. West Point: broken ice everywhere. South Point: ice everywhere. Low Point: no ice in sight. Magdalen Islands: light open ice inshore. Amherst Island: light close packed ice everywhere moving to the east. Cape St. Lawrence: heavy open ice distant. (HB 970 Apr 1 CSS)
Mar 28 The news of a pathetic story of the death of two brave fishermen, a father and son, from exposure, after being adrift on the ice floes off the Magdalen Islands, was received in Halifax last night in a telegram to F H Delaney, which stated that Arthur Bourgois, aged fifty-five years, and his son, a young man of twenty-one, both residents of the Magdelan Islands, had died shortly after being rescued. The men, who were engaged capturing seals, left their homes early Thursday morning, and started out across the ice for their day’s work seal hunting. As the weather had been soft the ice was broken up in some places and the two men got on slob ice, and despite their desperate efforts to reach the hard ice were unable to do so. The two brave islanders soon realized their precarious position, and as the wind was blowing from the northwest they were soon driven down the great St. Lawrence, out towards the Atlantic. (HH 28/03/1908 p1)
Mar 30 Louisburg, – the steamer “Coban” arrived Saturday from St. John’s, Nfld, and proceeded to St. John. Captain McPhail said that they did not meet any ice on their passage up from St. John’s. (HH 02/04/1908 p9#4,5)
Apr — SS “Kite” damaged in ice near St. Paul’s. (NW)
Apr 1 The “Stanley” did not leave Charlottetown till 11 o’clock this morning. The “Minto” arrived here about 11:15. (Pat 1 Apr p8#2)
Apr 2 North Sydney: A heavy body of drift ice extending nearly 50m has been driven out of the Gulf of St. Lawrence by the recent gales moving seaward in the ocean steamers’ track. (NYMR)
Apr 4 L’Islet: heavy close packed ice in [St. Lawrence] river. Martin River: light open ice moving east. Cap des Rosiers: light open ice distant. Point Escuminac: light open ice distant. Cape Traverse: strait full of drift ice. Cape Tormentine: light close packed ice everywhere. Mulgrave: strait full of ice. Cheticamp: heavy close packed ice along shore. Magdalen Islands: light close packed ice everywhere. Cape St. Lawrence: heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cape Ray: light open ice everywhere moving south. (HB 971 Apr 8 CSS)
Apr 6 The steamer “Bonavista” cleared yesterday for Cape Breton to load for Quebec. The ice report received by the Dominion Coal company yesterday shows that the river St. Lawrence is practically clear of ice below Quebec. There are some fields of ice in the northern part of the gulf and Northumberland strait is jammed. This is probably the last of the ice and it is working towards Cabot strait. There is not much ice on the Cape Breton coast, and in a few days it is expected that steamers can safely navigate up the gulf. (HH 07/04/1908 p10#4)
Apr 7 Louisburg: Steamer “Norfolk” from Genoa via Cape Henry arrived today and cleared for Montreal. She is the first steamer to try for Montreal this season. Ice reports look favourable for getting to Quebec. (LL 21 Apr.11.30)
Apr 8 Halifax: “ The Board of Trade is advised that there is no ice at L’Islet, Father Point, Martin River, Fame Point, Cape Rosier, Anticosti, Cape Despair, Point Escuminac, Cape Traverse, Cape Tormentine, Low Point, and Cape Race; heavy open ice moving east off Point Banquero [Maquereau?]; very little off Canso; at Magdelen Islands light, close packed ice in shore, moving east; at Cape St. Lawrence stationary heavy packed ice; at Cape Ray light, close packed ice moving east.” (LL 21 Apr.11.30)
Apr 8 Watertown, NY: “Navigation on the upper St. Lawrence was opened today when steamers crossed from Kingston, Ontario to Cape Vincent, and the Government steamer “Scout” made the trip from Prescott, Ontario to Kingston.” (LL 18 Apr.14.38)
Apr 8 Glace Bay, there are now two hundred and fifty thousand tons of coal at the central banking station at Dominion Number 2. This quantity is about twenty thousand tons in excess of that banked last season. This exceeds the record for all previous seasons. The coal shipments commenced today, twelve days earlier than last year. There has been no ice in sight for days. (HH 09/04/1908 p2#5)
Apr 8 A telegram dated at Quebec from the superintendent of signal service yesterday to the board of trade, states that there is no ice at L’Islet, Father Point, Martin River, Fame Point, Cape Rosier, Anticosti, Cape Despair, Point Escuminac, Cape Traverse, Cape Tormentine, Low Point and Cape Race. Heavy open ice moving east is off Port Maquereau. Very little ice is found off Canso. At Magdalen Islands light, close packed ice is found inshore moving east. At Cape St. Lawrence there is stationary heavy packed ice. At Cape Ray light close packed ice moving east. (HH 09/04/1908 p9#4)
Apr 10 SS “Harald” 45°27’N 58°43’W: encountered heavy pack ice which extended to the NE as far as could be seen; steamed on a WNW course for 20 miles along the edge. (HB 973 Apr 22)
Apr 11 North Sydney: “The harbour is open again for navigation. There is considerable ice in the Gulf.” (LL 13 Apr.9.25)
Apr 11 The “Stanley” arrived this morning. She encountered a considerable quantity of loose ice between Caribou and Point Prim. (Pat 11 Apr p8#2)
Apr 12? L’Islet: light scattered ice distant. Cape Tormentine: light open ice distant. Grosse Isle: light close packed ice inshore, about 4 miles wide, moving east. Amherst Island: light close packed ice distant moving east. Cape St. Lawrence: light close packed ice everywhere moving east. Cape Ray: light close packed ice inshore moving southeast. (HB 972 Apr 15 CSS)
Apr 14 Port Hawkseburg (sic), NS: “Bay St. George is full of drifting ice, some passing through the Straits on every change of tide. The Straits are packed full of ice this evening.” (LL 27 Apr.9.28)
Apr 15 Sydney: “Icefields from the Gulf of St. Lawrence have since Thursday last [Apr.9] moved rapidly southward; prevailing winds, westerly and north-westerly, attaining at time the velocity of moderate gales. Today heavy close packed ice in distant 10 miles off the coast of eastern Nova Scotia, extending from Cabot Strait to 75 miles SE of Scaterie, the field having a width of about 40 miles.” (LL 28 Apr.11.27)
Apr 15 Halifax: The Dominion cruiser “Canada” was ordered out today to search for three schooners, the “Jeannie Myrtle”, the “Violet West” and the “Lewis”, which left Louisburg a week ago from Halifax and have not been heard of. It is feared that they have been blown well off the coast and are lost in the drift ice. (LL 25 Apr.10.20-21) [“Jeannie Myrtle” and “Lewis” later reached ports – no mention of ice – BH]
Apr 15 Ice from Cabot Strait to 75m SE of Scaterie, being about 40m wide. (NYMR)
Apr 17 SS “Carthaginian”: 45°05’N 57°26’W to 44°38’N 57°33’W, encountered field ice. (HB 974 Apr 29)
Apr 18 Charlottetown, PEI: “Navigation is now open for all kinds of vessels.” (LL 20 Apr.9.33)
Apr 18 Summerside is still blocked with ice. (Pat 18 Apr p8#2)
Apr 18 SS “Rosalind”: 45°14’N 57°22’W to 44°54’N 57°23’W, saw field ice to the northward and westward. (HB 975 May 6)
Apr 20 Mulgrave: Strait full of ice. Port Hood: light close packed ice along shore. No ice outside. Cape Ray: light open ice distant, moving southeast. Low Point: heavy close packed ice distant 12 miles, moving east. (HB 973 Apr 22 CSS)
Apr 21 Ships entering and leaving port of Pictou. (Pat 21 Apr p8#2)
Apr 22 A long trip- The SS “Bruce” arrived yesterday afternoon. She got stuck in the ice and was drifting until Sat., when she again got clear and went into Sydney. (TWS, pg 4, Col. 4)
Apr 22 Delayed by ice- On April 22 there were ten steamers in the St. Lawrence River with about 40 000 tons of coal for Montreal, but more had got past Quebec. Parts of the St. Lawrence between Montreal and Quebec were still blocked with ice. Louise Basin at Quebec was still blocked, so that steamers could not unload there. (NYMR 29 Apr p. 11, col. 1)
Apr 24 A Norwegian steamer “Trold”, Louisburg for Montreal has been damaged by ice. (LL 5 May 11.27)
Apr 24 SS “Dominion” from 46°44’N 57°11’W to 48°N 60°48’W large quantities of heavy field ice extending as far as could be seen. (LL 16 May 3.2)
Apr 24 SS “Dominion” 46°30’N 57°20’W: encountered field ice, of which some was closely packed. Cleared it in 47°57’N 60°24’W. (HB 976 May 13)
Apr 25 Ice in the St. Lawrence:- River above Quebec still solid. Cape Ray light open ice everywhere stationary. All other points no ice. (HH 28/04/1908 p10#5)
Apr 25 Pan Ice Punched Hole in “Norwood” St. John’s, Nfld., May 6 – Captain W Hopkins, Chief Engineer Sterling, and twenty-two others, officers and crew, of the ill-fated steamer “Norwood,” arrived by last night’s train for Grand Banks, via the “Glencoe” and “Placentia.” The shipwrecked crew had a trying experience after the ship was abandoned, after having her bows ‘holed’ by ice and were seven hours in open boats during a violent snow storm. When rescued, the men were in a bad condition from exposure, and were naturally delighted that help came so quickly. The “Norwood” left Glasgow April 14th with a general cargo for Sydney, being under time charter with the Dominion Coal company. Fairly moderate weather was experienced until the 23rd. At four o’clock that morning icebergs were visible around the ship and for eight hours she was passing through them. Some were very large and dangerous looking, and due precaution had to be taken. Seeing the danger, Captain Hopkins had the boats provisioned, as in the event of the steamer colliding with one, it would, perhaps, be too late to do so. The night of the 24th the Captain and crew kept a careful lookout and the steamer was slowed down. At noon the 25th, she was off Cape Race, and her course was shaped for Sydney, and Sunday morning at 10:30 she ran into the ice about 120 miles east of Sydney. The ship was forced through at low speed, and at 11:30 she struck a heavy pan which pierced a large hole in her starboard bow. The forepeak quickly filled with water, the impact of which was so great that it started the water tight bulkheads and water began to make in the holds. Captain Hopkins, hoping to save his ship, steered for the open water, and ran for Miquelon Island, where he hoped to beach her. The water gained rapidly, and almost within sight of Miquelon, with the water washing her decks she was abandoned at 10 p.m. Sunday night; the twenty-four of the crew taking their departure in two life boasts. The abandonment was so sudden that neither the captain nor crew managed to save any of their belongings, and were only too delighted to escape with their lives. (HH 07/05/1908 p1) [see Apr 28]
Apr 26 Ottawa: “The opening of navigation on the St. Lawrence is delayed by packed ice between Quebec and Montreal. Government icebreakers have been endeavouring since Thursday [Apr.23] to remove the block. A dozen vessels, principally colliers, are waiting at Quebec for the river to open. – (Later: late this afternoon the ice block in the St. Lawrence was broken. Navigation from Montreal opens tomorrow.” (LL 27 Apr.9.28)
Apr 26 Quebec, steamer “Troid”, Louisburg for Montreal with coal had been damaged by ice. (HH 29/04/1908 p11#4)
Apr 26 SS “Athenia”: from 10 miles SE of Cape Ray to 15 miles east of Bird Rocks, encountered heavy to light patches of field ice. (HB 975 May 6)
Apr 26-27 SS “Latona”: 47°34’N 59°08’W to Apr 27, 48°39’N 62°41’W, steamed continuously through pack ice. (HB 976 May 13)
Apr 27 Cheticamp: thin ice along shore moving easterly. Cape Ray: light open ice everywhere stationary. (HB 974 Apr 29 CSS)
Apr 28 “British steamer “Lady Eileen” lost propeller in ice here [where?]. Will dock.” (LL 7 May 10.20)
Apr 28 SS “Latonia” at Father Point saw numerous large bergs from 44° to 45° and 51°N; also loose field ice. (NYMR)
Apr 28 Rammed by Great Iceberg Steamer “Norfold” [Norwoos] Founders. Sydney, April 28 – A wireless message from Cape Race to-night is to the effect that the steamer “Norfold” had been abandoned 180 miles east of Sydney, shortly afterwards went down. The crew of 25 men were taken off the sinking ship by a fishing craft, and it is presumed will be landed at a port on the south coast of Newfoundland. The “Norfold” was 12 days out from Glasgow, when she ran into the ice floes off the Grand Banks. The captain moved the ship along through the heavy field until finally the steel sides of his vessel were rammed by a toppling berg. The steamer began to make water and the crew were put to it to keep her afloat. The captain persevered in his course in the hope of reaching land but the water kept gaining on the pumps, and fearing an explosion when it came in contact with the boilers, the ship was abandoned. A fishing schooner hove in sight, and the crew barely got to a place of safety when the vessel foundered. (HH 29/04/1908 p1)
Apr 28 SS “Venango” 45°40’N 57°50’W: encountered a large ice field which extended to the northward and westward as far as could be seen. (HB 975 May 6)
Apr 29 SS “Norwood” from Glasgow to Campbellton, NB pierced by ice on the Grand Banks (sunk by ice in the Gulf – PR) and abandoned, presumed sunk. (NYMR)
Apr 29 The mild spurt of late has played havoc with the ice in Humber Arm, and Sat., was the last time it could be crossed over. 2 years ago today, the winter ice broke up here, and last year it went out on May 5; but this year it broke up yesterday. (TWS, pg 4, Col. 4)
Apr 29 The SS “Harlow” was to leave Halifax yesterday to take up her usual coasting service in Cape Breton and western Newfoundland. (TWS, pg 4, Col. 4)
Apr 29 St. John’s: Steamer “Norwood” from Glasgow to Sydney and Campbelltown, sank in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, having been pierced by ice. Crew landed at Grand Bank by a schooner. (LL 7 May 10.20)
Apr 29 Sydney: A field of ice is working westwards across Cabot Straits, from Cape Ray to St. Paul’s, and thence to Igonish (sic) Bay. Another field 60 miles long is reported by steamers extending eastwards to Scaterie Island. It will be encountered by west bound shipping for at least another 10 days. (LL 12 May 14.34)
Apr 29 Sydney, a wireless message was received yesterday from Cape Ray to the effect that a large steamer, bound inward, had a flag signalling the wireless station that she was in distress and to send assistance if possible. Yesterday at noon, the government steamer “Montcalm” sailed from Sydney in an effort to locate the steamer. A later dispatch says that disabled vessel is the steamer “Merm[sic],” bound from Mediterranean to Montreal It is supposed that the “Herm” was caught in big f[ield]s of ice that are moving along the south coast of Newfoundland and became badly injured. (HH 30/04/1908 P1 bottom)
Apr 29 SS “Ottawa” 46°52’N 57°20’W: encountered large patches of field ice and steamed through the ice to 48°10’N 61°W. The ice extended to the southward and westward as far as could be seen. Frequent large areas of clear water were met with. (HB 976 May 13)
Apr 30 Quebec: “ Navigation entirely free.” (LL 30 Apr.11.23)
Apr 30 Montreal: “The St. Lawrence is open for navigation. Three ocean steamships arrived today. – Reuter.” (LL 1 May 8.2 and 19)
Apr 30 SS “Virginian” 46°55’N 57°55’W: encountered field ice, which continued to get thicker toward the land. Could see no opening until off Cape Ray. (HB 975 May 6)
May 1 Quebec: The steamer “Norfolk” from Louisburg to Montreal damaged her bow plates in ice and made a little water; has repaired and proceeded. (LL 12 May 14.33)
May 1 Sydney, a wireless message from Cape Ray this morning says that big fields of ice are moving along the south coast of Newfoundland, and if present westerly wind prevails the shores of Cape Breton will not be visited by the floes this season. Several smaller sealing schooners have been sighted in the gulf taking seals. Three of them have landed fairly good catches. The St. Lawrence is clear of ice all the way to Quebec, and several big steamers have passed up bound for river ports. No outgoing vessels have so far been sighted. The department of marine at Ottawa has instructed Captain Belanger, of the government steamer “Montcalm” to report daily to the Sydney board of trade upon ice conditions. Last evening’s advice states that there is no ice on the Cape Breton coast, but that a field of light open ice extends southward from Cape Ray. (HH 02/05/1908 p1#5,6)
May 2 Cape Ray: light open ice moving northwest. (HB 975 May 6 CSS)
May 4 North Sydney: British steamer “Wansdeck” slightly damaged by ice, plates bent. (LL 5 May 11.28)
May 4 Cape Ray: light open ice distant moving west. (HB 976 May 13 CSS)
May 4 SS “Salacia” 47°15’N 58°20’W: entered and passed through small pieces of field ice to 47°50’N 60°W, when we cleared the ice. (HB 977 May 20)
May 4-11 At [all] other stations under [the Superintendent of the Canadian Signal Service’s, Department of Marine and Fisheries, Canada] supervision no ice was sighted. (HB 976 May 13 CSS)
May 5 SS “Iona” 47°03’N 58°11’W: entered open field ice and steamed 75 miles N 62°W (true) through it. (HB 976 May 13)
May 5 SS “Milwaukee” 47°14’N 59°18’W: encountered a large quantity of field ice. (HB 977 May 20)
May 6 When the “Bruce” was on her way to Sydney last Sat., she steamed through a quantity of heavy ice… (TWS, pg 4, Col. 2)
May 9 SS “Gafsa”: between Scatari Island and Cape North, Cape Breton Island, passed quantities of small field ice and scattered lumps of ice; also several large pans. (HB 977 May 20)
May 11 Saguenay River: not yet free of ice. (HB 976 May 13 CSS)
May 12-15 At other stations under [the Superintendent of the Canadian Signal Service’s] supervision no ice was sighted. (HB 977 May 20 CSS)
May 16 Point Amour: light open ice distant. (HB 977 May 20 CSS)
May 17 The SS “Home” returned Monday. She did not get beyond Current Island owing to heavy ice. Friday the steamer left Port-au-Choix, and tried to get into the Straits either by going inside or outside of the floe. She was across within a few miles of Bonne Esprance, but was unable to enter a port on the Lab. side, and she returned to Port au Choix. (TWS, pg 4, Col. 5)
May 24 No Canadian stations reporting ice except for Point Amour on 22nd. (HB #978 May 27)
June 1 First Westbound steamer through the strait of Belle Isle. (WBB)