1909 Season
Nov 25 Last eastbound steamer through the Strait of Belle Isle. (WBB)
Nov 27 Last departure of the season from Quebec. (WBB)
Dec 3 “Quebec: Navigation closed.” (LL 3 Dec.11.25)
Dec 16 Father Point, light open ice distant. (HB #1007 Dec 16, 1908)
Dec 22 “Charlottetown, PEI: Navigation closed except for winter steamers.” (LL 23 Dec.9.24)
Jan 11 Issue: teacher of the Pictou Island school couldn’t land because the sea was too rough – returned to Georgetown. Steamer Pictou to Georgetown. (Pat 11 Jan p8#2)
Jan 13 At Riverhead… it was reported that several nets were carried away by the breaking up of the ice during the mild spell last week. (TWS, pg 2, Col. 4)
Jan 13 … it is expected there will be good skating on the Humber Arm. The ice has formed again and a few days frost will make it firm. (TWS, pg 2, Col.3)
Jan 20 School boy drowned- Close inshore the ice appeared to be quite safe… when about 100 yards from shore…fell through the ice. (TWS, pg 2, Col. 3)
Feb 2 Pictou, the steamer “Minto” is still stuck hard and fast in the ice, about two miles off Pictou light. The ice is exceptionally heavy, and there are poor prospects of her getting out. The “Minto” left Georgetown on Saturday morning and at one o’clock that afternoon she burned her fires down. (HH 05/02/1909 p2#5)
Feb 3 The SS “Bruce” was jammed off Sydney last Tu. the first time for the season and in the end has to proceed to Louisburg. (TWS, pg 2, Col. 4)
Feb 4 After having been imprisoned on board the government steamer “Stanley” for four days and six nights in the Northumberland Straits, G C Pearson, a well known Montreal commercial traveler, arrived in the city yesterday and tell a thrilling story of his experience in the great ice fields. He says: We left Georgetown at seven o’clock Tuesday morning for Pictou, and soon after leaving that harbor we ran into ice which prevented the steamer from making her usual time. The captain forced his staunch vessel ahead, but despite his efforts he was unable to keep his vessel in clear water, and she soon got stuck. The water supply became limited and on Thursday we were forced to put back to Georgetown and took on board 15,000 gallons of water. On account of the scarcity of water the lights were turned off every night at ten o’clock and the passengers were forced to retire where the light was not needed. Despite our delay, the trip had its pleasant features, as it was enjoyable to get out on the ice and bask in the sunshine. We were treated to a novel sight off Pictou Island, a great pack of seals were playing about on the ice. (HH 05/02/1909 p2#5)
Feb 17 The “Bruce” could not enter Sydney last trip owing to its being blocked with ice, so she proceeded to Louisburg. Owning to the continued westerly winds the drift ice was seen from here this morning. (TWS, pg 2, Col. 4)
Feb 17 Passengers who crossed the Gulf last week on the “Bruce” say that the ice in the Gulf is the heaviest in recent years. The immense sheets are such as the steamer cannot penetrate, and a zigzag course through “leads” have to be made from Louisburg to Port-aux -Basques. Last year the conditions were about similar to those now being experienced. (TWS, pg 2, Col. 3)
Mar 14 Halifax: SS “Bruce”, on her last trip from Port au Basque to North Sydney the mail steamer had her bow badly damaged by ice. Several of the plates were twisted out of shape and others were damaged. (NYMR)
Mar 17 Very little ice has been seen here this spring. (TWS, pg 2, Col. 5)
Mar 17 The SS “Bruce” has been in Sydney since Wednesday, having her bow repaired, which was damaged crossing the Gulf through heavy ice. (TWS, pg 2, Col. 4)
Mar 20 Halifax: SS “Evangeline” encountered much Gulf ice off Canso. (LL 30 Mar.11.24)
Mar 23 Anticosti, South Point – Cloudy, north, no ice. Heath Point – no ice. Cape North – heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cape St. Lawrence – heavy close packed ice everywhere. St. Paul’s Island – heavy close packed ice everywhere, moving south; no seals. Cape Ray – no ice. Point Amour – heavy close packed ice distant, moving southeast. (HH 23/03/1909 p9#4)
Mar 26 Louisburg, The steamer “Bruce” arrived from St. John’s yesterday. This is the first communication between Cape Breton and the ancient colony for a week. The “Bruce” having broken her propeller and sustained other damage in the ice off North Sydney had to have repairs effected at St. John’s. (HH 27/03/1909 p15#5)
Mar 27 Halifax: Nor. SS “Wegadesk” put in unable to reach Sydney account ice. (LL 29 Mar.9.23)
Mar 27 Father Point – No ice. Cape Magdalen – Light open ice inshore. Fame Point – Light open ice distant. Cape Rosier – Heavy open ice distant. Cape Despair, Point Maquertau, Point Escuminac, Low Point – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cape Traverse, Cape Tormentine – very little ice. Gut Canso – Full drift ice. Anticosti, South Point – No ice. Heath Point – Light open ice inshore. Magdalen Islands – heavy open ice everywhere; five vessels in sight. Cape St. Lawrence – Heavy close packed ice distant, heavy open ice inshore. Cape North – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. St. Paul’s Island – No ice east or north; heavy close packed ice south and west. Cape Ray – No ice. Cape Race – One iceberg and strip of field ice off Cape Ballard, drifting south. Point Amour – Heavy close packed ice everywhere, moving west. (HH 27/03/1909 p15#4)
Mar 30 Pictou: Steamers “Stanley” and “Minto” which ply between PEI and the mainland of Nova Scotia are again fast in the ice in Northumberland Strait. (LL 8 Apr.10.21)
Mar 30 Father Point, Matane, Cape Ray and Cape Traverse – No ice. Low Point – Heavy close packed ice everywhere, stationary. Mulgrave strait – Clear of ice. Magdalen Islands – Heavy open ice inshore, moving west. St. Paul’s Island – No ice east or north; heavy open ice west and northwest, moving west. Cape North – Light open ice drift, moving northeast. Cape St. Lawrence – Light open ice distant, moving northwest. Other stations no communication today. (HH 30/03/1909 p11#4)
Mar 30 Yesterday, the “Minto” returned to Georgetown and the “Stanley” to Pictou, both being unable to overcome the barrier of ice about three miles wide which separated them. The ice was jammed solid on the Island shore and filled Georgetown harbour, something unusual there at this time of year. Only one round trip (has been made by steamers) made by each in the last eight days. Heavy ice barrier near Panmure Island, makes Georgetown-Pictou route now impracticable. Capt. Brown says that he left Pictou intending to make Charlottetown if conditions permitted, if not, to try for Georgetown. He came around the east end of Pictou Island. Heavy ice was met with from that point to High Bank. The rest of the way there was no trouble, a lead of open water having been struck along the Island shore. The Straits eastward are full of ice. Yesterday the “Stanley” was on the outer edge of a barrier 4 miles wide, extending from Cape Sharp to Boughton Island. (Pat 31 Mar p1 cols 3, 4 and 5)
Mar 31 Pictou: Steamers “Stanley” and “Minto” which had been imprisoned in the ice in Northumberland Strait since Monday Morning, both worked their way clear during the night and they returned to the ports whence they sailed. (LL 10 Apr.11.23)
Mar 31 Halifax: SS “Janeta” arrived failing to reach Sydney. (LL 1 Apr.11.1)
Mar 31 2 men from here captured 2 large seals on the ice a few days ago in the vicinity of Black Rock, Seal Cove. (TWS, pg. 1, Col. 3)
Mar 31 Charlottetown, the “Minto” was stuck in heavy ice off Cape Bear. The “Stanley” encountered heavy ice in the Straits, impossible to break through, returned and made an east tour of Pictou Island and found open water and made her way with little difficulty. (HH 01/04/1909 p1#3)
Apr 1 St. John’s, Nfld, the steamer “Bruce,” arrived this morning from Port-aux-Basque to go in dock to get repairs to her propeller. The steamer left Port-aux-Basque Saturday for Sydney, and when some distance she got her propeller broken by contact with ice. The mishap obliged her immediate return to St. John’s to get repairs effected. (HH 01/04/1909 p12#4)
Apr 1 After five days and nights on the bridge of his steamer, navigating her through the great ice fields off the Cape Breton coast, Captain Hendry, commander of the steamer “Junita,” pointed his ship for Halifax and reached port yesterday afternoon, after an unsuccessful attempt to reach Sydney. Yesterday Captain Hendry reports forcing his way through 70 miles of closely packed ice. (HH 01/04/1909 p12#4)
Apr 1 The “Stanley” did not reach Pictou until 5:20 p.m. yesterday afternoon. At 10:30 a.m. today she was reported making slow progress through heavy ice. The ice today is closely packed on the mainland shore. The captain (of the Stanley) reported the straits blocked with ice to the westward. It has been driven down by the strong westerly winds which have prevailed for the past day or two. (Pat 2 Apr 2 p1, cols 3 & 4)
Apr 2 The “Minto” arrived in Georgetown at 10:25 a.m. and the Stanley in Pictou at 11:00. The Charlottetown route has to be abandoned until a strong southwest wind comes to drive the ice out of the bay and Strait. Yesterday she (the “Stanley”) came as far as Wood Islands but finding the way blocked in the direction of this port, the ice being packed in closely clear up to the Indian Rocks, she decided to make for Georgetown. (Pat 3 Apr p8#2)
Apr 5 Quebec: Steamers employed in the coasting trade sailed for Gulf below Quebec. River is nearly free of ice. Anticipate an early opening of navigation. (LL 6 Apr.11.24)
Apr 5 The shipping season (from Montague) begins about the middle of April and ends about the middle of Dec according to the season. (Pat 5 Apr, p6 cols 3 & 4)
Apr 7 L’Islet, River Du Loup, Father Point, Point Matan, Cape Magdalen, Fame Point, Cape Rosier, Cape Despair, Cape Tormentine, West Point, Southwest Point, Magdalen Islands, St. Paul’s Island, Cape Ray – No ice. Point Maquereau – Heavy open ice distant. South Point – Heavy close packed ice everywhere stationary. Heath Point – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cape St. Lawrence – Light open ice distant. Gut Canso – Very little ice. Cape North – Light open ice inshore. Low Point – Heavy close packed ice everywhere, moving east. Cape Race – Icebergs everywhere. River above Quebec still solid. (HH 08/04/1909 p9#4)
Apr 7 Issue: ever since the first of March, the Straits between the above points [where?] have been comparatively clear of ice with the exception of about a mile of running ice that the changing winds move alternately to either side, placing no impediments in the way of an ordinary steamer making hourly crossings. For ten days the people of this Province received two mails, both steamers being stuck nearly all that time on the Pictou-Georgetown route. Just two years ago, it was worse during the middle of April; both steamers were icebound for about nine successive days. (Pat 7 Apr p6#3)
Apr 9 L’Islet, River Du Loup, Father Point, Matan, Cape Magdalen, Fame Point, Cape Rosier, Cape Despair, West Point, Southwest Point, Magdalen Islands, St. Paul’s Island, Cape North, Cape St. Lawrence, Cape Ray – No ice. Point Maquereau – Heavy open ice distant, moving southeast. Cape Tormentine – Light open ice distant. South Point – Heavy close packed ice everywhere, moving west. Heath Point – Heavy open ice everywhere, inshore. Port Hood Bay – Full of loose ice. Cape Tormentine [second report] Large strip of ice in middle of strait. Low Point – Heavy close packed ice everywhere, stationary. (HH 09/04/1909 p9#5)
Apr 13 The ice report received Saturday reads as follows: Father Point, Matan, Cape Magdalen, Fame Point, Cape Rosier, Cape Despair, West Point, Southwest Point, Magdalen Islands, St. Paul’s Island, Cape Race [C, Ray?]- No ice. Point Maquereau – Heavy ice, going west. Point Escuminac – Heavy close packed ice inshore. Cape Tormentine – Heavy close packed ice distant. Heath Point – Light open ice, stationary. Cape St. Lawrence – Light open ice everywhere, moving east. Cape North – Light open ice, distant. Mulgrave – Considerable ice in strait. Port Hood – Ice conditions same. Cape Traverse – Ice packed inshore. Low Point – Eastward heavy packed ice distant, moving southeast. The river above Quebec has not yet broken up. (HH 13/04/1909 p9#4)
Apr 13 Yesterday: Quebec to Heath Point – No ice. Point Maquereau, Cape Tormentine, Cape Ray, Low Point – No ice. Point Escuminac –Heavy close packed ice inshore. Magdalen Islands – Light close packed ice inshore, moving east. Cape St. Lawrence – Heavy open ice everywhere, moving northeast. St. Paul’s Island – Light close packed ice everywhere, moving east. Cape North – Light close packed ice inshore. Cape Traverse – Ice packed inshore. Mulgrave – Considerable ice in strait. Port Hood Bay – Packed with ice. Cape Race – Icebergs in same position. Point Amour – Heavy close packed ice distant, moving southwest, number of large bergs in sight. River above Quebec – Ice on the move everywhere from Lake St. Peter down. (HH 14/04/1909 p11#4)
Apr 14 North Sydney: The harbour is again open for navigation. There is considerable ice in the Gulf. (LL 15 Apr.10.23)
Apr 14 Lower St. Lawrence open to navigation- Navigation to the lower St. Lawrence and the gulf was inaugurated for the present season when steamer “Avanmore” (Br.) left Quebec at 7 AM April 2 for Eaquimait Point and way ports. There was considerable ice which came down from Grondines in the river, but the “Avanmore” had no difficulty getting through it. (NYMR, p. 10, col. 3)
Apr 15 Quebec and L’Islet – Heavy open ice moving down river. River Du Loup, Father Point, Matane, Cape Magdalen, Fame Point, Cape Rosier, Cape Despair, Point Maquereau, Anticosti, Cape North, Cape Ray, Low Point – No ice. Point Escuminac – Heavy close packed inshore. Magdalen Islands – Light close packed distant, moving west. Cape St. Lawrence – Heavy close packed everywhere. St. Paul’s Island – Light open ice everywhere, moving northeast. Mulgrave Strait – Clear. Port Hood – Ice moving slowly; no water in sight. Cape Traverse – Light open ice distant. (HH 16/04/1909 p9#4)
Apr 16 Father Point, Matane, Cape Magdalen, Fame Point, Cape Rosier, West Point, Southwest Point, South Point, Cape Traverse – No ice. Heath Point – Heavy open ice distant. Cape Tormentine – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Mulgrave – Considerable ice in strait. Port Hood Bay – Full of ice. Magdalen Islands – Light close packed everywhere. Cape St. Lawrence – Heavy close packed everywhere, moving east. Cape North – Light close packed everywhere. St. Paul’s Island – Light open ice inshore. Low Point – Heavy open ice distant, moving east. (HH 17/04/1909 p15#5)
Apr 17 L’Islet, light scattered ice moving down. Point Maquereau, heavy open ice outward moving W. Heath Point, heavy open ice inshore. Cape Traverse, light open ice inshore. Mulgrave, considerable ice in Strait. Port Hood, bay full of ice. Low Point, heavy open ice distant 5 miles. Point Amour, heavy close packed ice distant, light open ice inshore, all moving S. (HB #1025 Apr 21)
Apr 19 Quebec to Cape Rosier – No ice. Point Maquereau – Heavy open ice everywhere. West Point, Southwest Point, Cape Ray – No ice. Point Escuminac – Heavy close packed ice inshore. South Point – Heavy close packed everywhere. Heath Point – Heavy open ice everywhere, moving east. Cape Tormentine – Light open ice distant. Cape Traverse Strait- Full of loose ice. Gut of Canso – Clear of ice. Magdalen Islands, Cape St. Lawrence, Cape North, St. Paul’s Island –No communication today. Low Point – Heavy open ice east and southeast, light open ice distant, north. (HH 20/04/1909 p11#5)
Apr 19 SS “Venango” 45°16’N 57°54’W: steamed through floe ice for three hours. (HB 1027 May 5)
Apr 20 Quebec: Navigation is now open for steamers but sailing vessels will have to wait a few days. (LL 21 Apr.9.23)
Apr 20 Quebec: The ice between here and Montreal including that covering Lake St. Peter, has been passing down since April 18, so that after today navigation between here and Montreal may be considered open for steamers. (LL 4 May 11.23)
Apr 21 Charlottetown, the Newfoundland sealing steamer “Ika” is fast in the ice off North Cape, PEI, with about 200 seals on board. A number of crew walked ashore today and report seals very scarce. On account of the heavy ice at Point Du Chene, the steamer “Empress” cannot open the Summerside Point Du Chene route. (HH 22/04/1909 p1#2)
Apr 22 River Du Loup, Father Point, Cape Magdalen, Fame Point, Cape Rosier, Cape Despair, Cape Traverse, West Point, Southwest Point, Cape Ray – No ice. Point Maquereau – Heavy open ice everywhere, moving northeast. Point Escuminac – Heavy open ice everywhere. Cape Tormentine – Light open ice distant. Mulgrave Strait – Clear lots ice north. Port Hood – Ice moving off coast. Magdalen Islands – Light open ice everywhere, moving east. Cape St. Lawrence – Light open ice everywhere, moving west. Cape North – Light open ice everywhere. St. Paul’s Island – Light open ice everywhere, moving southwest. South Point – Heavy close packed ice inshore, stationary. Heath Point – Heavy open ice distant. Low Point – Light open ice everywhere moving north. (HH 23/04/1909 p9#4,5)
Apr 23 Quebec: The ice from Lake St. Peter, etc., having passed out, navigation is entirely free for all vessels. (LL 4 May 11.23)
Apr 23 South Point – Heavy close packed inshore, stationary. Heath Point – Heavy open ice inshore. Magdalen Islands, St. Paul’s Island, Cape Ray, and Cape Race – Dense fog. Cape Tormentine – Light open ice distant. Gut of Canso – Clear of ice today. Cheticamp – Heavy ice along shore. Cape St. Lawrence and Cape North – Light open ice distant. Low Point – Light open ice distant, eight miles, moving southeast. (HH 24/04/1909 p15#5)
Apr 24 Point Maquereau, heavy close packed ice distant moving SE. Cape Tormentine, light open ice distant. Port Hood, considerable ice along coast. Cheticamp, heavy loose ice along shore. Cape North, scattered ice moving S. Cape St. Lawrence, light open ice inshore moving E. Mulgrave, strait clear. Low Point, light open ice distant moving S. (HB #1026 Apr 28)
Apr 26 Point Maquereau – Light open ice everywhere. Cheticamp – Ice packed on shore. Port Hood – Large strip of ice along coast, stationary. Cape St. Lawrence and Cape North – Heavy close packed everywhere, moving southeast. St. Paul’s Island – Light close packed inshore. Cape Ray – No ice. Low Point – Heavy open ice distant, east and southeast. South Point – Heavy close packed inshore, stationary. Heath Point – Heavy open ice inshore, moving east. (HH 27/04/1909 p11#4)
Apr 28 Port Escuminac – Heavy open ice inshore. Cheticamp – Large strip of ice three miles off shore, moving west. St. Paul’s Island – Light open ice everywhere, moving west. Cape North – Light open ice inshore. Low Point – Heavy open ice, north. Other points – No ice. (HH 29/04/1909 p9#4,5)
Apr 29 Halifax: A despatch from Mulgrave reports the Strait of Canso full of ice and that the steamer “John L. Cann” on leaving Mulgrave for Canso yesterday lost her propeller and was forced to go into dock. Steamer “City of Ghent” had a hole punched in her bow and had to go to Point Tupper to dock. (LL 11 May 11.23)
Apr 30 Point Escuminac: light close packed ice inshore. Mulgrave: heavy drift ice. Port Hood: some ice about the coast. Cheticamp: light scattered ice offshore. Cape St. Lawrence: light open ice everywhere moving east. Cape North: light close packed ice inshore. Low Point: heavy open ice to the north. Point Amour: heavy close packed ice everywhere moving west. (HB 1027 May 5 CSS)
May 2 Sydney harbour practically blocked with ice and the Dominion Coal Co. has discontinued shipments at present. (NYMR 12 May & LL 12 May 9.23)
May 2 Sydney, the steamer “Bruce,” arriving from Port Au Basque, reports ice conditions in the straits about the same as during the early part of the week. The steamer came through many miles of it, but mostly scattered. Two large schooners are caught in the ice jam about one mile off Low Point. The vessels are about half a mile apart and are supposed to be fishermen bound for this port. A large number of vessels of all kinds, including fishermen and coasters, are in port awaiting favorable conditions to proceed to their destinations. Several vessels bound west loaded coal her ten days ago, but have been unable to leave on account of ice blockade on the coast. The steamer “Ocean” arrived this morning from Montreal and encountered much trouble in making Louisburg harbor through the ice. (HH 03/05/1909 p1#6)
May 3 Port Hood – Considerable ice in the bay. Cape North – Light open ice distant. Cape St. Lawrence – Light open ice distant, moving northeast. Low Point – Heavy open ice everywhere, moving southeast. Other points – No ice. (HH 04/05/1909 p11#4)
May 3 North Sydney, Captain Finlayson reports a great deal of heavy ice on the Cape Breton coast, but none in the gulf north of St. Paul’s. The French fishing schooners “LaTour” “Dragon” and “La Monde,” which have been in the ice off Low Point for a week past, came into port early this morning. There are nearly a dozen schooners in port laded with coal for various ports in the maritime provinces. Most of them will likely sail this afternoon and tomorrow morning. (HH 04/05/1909 p11#5)
May 4 Charlottetown, PEI: The ice has nearly disappeared. (LL 18 May 11.24)
May 4 North Sydney, May 5, The steamer “Bruce” arrived at Port Aux Basque at three o’clock yesterday afternoon. She passed through a good deal of loose ice on the way up, principally along the Cape Breton coast. (HH 06/05/1909 p9#5)
May 5 It is looking like spring around here now. The vessels arriving and sailing make quite a stir. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 4)
May 5 Cape St. Lawrence – Light open ice distant, moving southeast. Cape North – Scattered ice in Aspy Bay. Low Point – Heavy open ice distant, six miles, moving south. Other points – No ice. (HH 06/05/1909 p9#5)
May 5 SS “Akershus”: in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 47°N 62°15’W, encountered large floes of ice which took several hours to steam through. (HB 1029 May 19)
May 7 Cape St. Lawrence – Light open ice inshore, moving northeast. Cape North – Light close packed ice everywhere, moving southeast. Low Point – Heavy open ice eight miles distant, moving southeast. Other points – No ice. (HH 08/05/1909 p15#5)
May 7 Cape St. Lawrence: light open ice inshore moving northeast. (HB 1028 May 12 CSS)
May 7 Cape North: light close packed ice everywhere moving southeast. (HB 1028 May 12 CSS)
May 7 Low Point: heavy open ice 8 miles distant moving southeast. Point Amour: heavy open ice everywhere moving southwest. Six bergs. (HB 1028 May 12 CSS)
May 9 Halifax: Having passed many bergs, after a difficult passage through the ice off the Newfoundland coast SS “Siberian” arrived in port tonight from Liverpool via St.John’s. Captain said that never before had he seen so much ice at this season of the year. The northerly …. ? .. and even the southerly route is dangerous, as the ice is ?. (NYMR 12 May)
May 9 SS “Montfort”: about 45 miles south of Cape Ray, saw a field of ice extending for about 10 miles in a NE and SW direction. (HB 1029 May 19)
May 10 SS “Hoyle Bank” passed through a field of very thick drift ice 7 miles long off entrance to Louisburg Harbour. (LL)
May 11 Cape St. Lawrence – Light open ice distant, moving west. Cape North – Light open ice everywhere, moving southeast. Low Point – Heavy open ice distant, moving southeast. Other points – No ice. (HH 11/05/1909 p9#4)
May 12 North Sydney: SS “Phonix” after discharge of cargo encountered damage by ice. Undergoing repairs. (LL 13 May 10.21). Damaged by ice while steaming up Cape Breton coast. (LL 25 May 11.22)
May 12 Cape St. Lawrence – Light open ice distant, moving northeast. Cape North – Dense fog. Low Point – Heavy open ice distant, five miles, moving northeast. Other points – No ice. (HH 13/05/1909 p9#4)
May 14 Sydney, NS:- Gulf St. Lawrence and Cabot Strait are now free of ice. East and southeast of Scateri, heavy open ice is moving south, and will be encountered in that vicinity for another week. (NYMR 19 May p. 11, col. 1)
May 14 North Sydney, May 14 – The Newfoundland schooner “Cora” arrived in port last evening and reported the loss of two of her crew, Theodore Downey and George Osmond, both of Grand bank, off Scatterie on Monday. The men left the schooner to take in trawls ad shortly after setting out a dense fog came on. After searching for some time the men were unable to locate their vessel. They then set out for Scatterie, but encountered the ice and they were unable to make any headway and were forced to remain in their dory until noon next day when they were picked up by the French fishing schooner “Dictator,” which brought them to this port this morning. (HH 15/05/1909 p15#4)
May 15 Low Point: heavy open ice 10 miles distant. Point Amour: light open ice everywhere. (HB 1029 May 19 CSS)
May 17 The SS “Home” sailed her usual northern service last Wednesday. She found the Straits blocked with Arctic ice, and the ship could not reach Battle Harbor (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 4)
May 20 First Westbound steamer through the strait of Belle Isle. (WBB)
May 21 Point Amour, heavy close packed ice everywhere moving W. (HB #1030 May 26)
May 29 Point Amour, heavy close packed ice everywhere moving E. Open water inshore. (HB #1031 Jun 2)
Jun 13 SS “Atbara” 46°05’N 59°30’W passed field ice; 46°10’N 59°40’W field ice. (HB #1035 Jun 30)