1915 Season
Nov 19 Last eastbound steamer through the Strait of Belle Isle. (WBB)
Nov 29 L’Islet, river covered with ice. (HB #1319 Dec 9)
Dec 4 Last departure of the season from Quebec. (WBB)
Dec 7 L’Islet: [St. Lawrence] river covered with ice. Father Point: light open ice. Little Métis: light close packed ice inshore. (HB 1321 Dec 23 CSS)
Dec 9 The keen frosts of Sat. and Sun. nights have made some slob ice on the waters of the Humber; but the tides have since swept it away. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 3)
Dec 10 L’Islet: heavy open ice. Anse St. Jean: ice jammed last night on Saguenay River. Bay solid. Point Amour: light close packed ice everywhere. (HB 1321 Dec 23 CSS)
Dec 14 Last season she [“Empress”]ceased running on December 21st, 1914 and the “Northumberland” made her last trip on the 22nd. (Pat 3 Jan 1916 p8#3)
Dec 16 The SS ”Meigle” returned from the north on Sunday afternoon. Owing to the presence of so much ice in the Straits, the steamer was unable to go beyond Red Bay. She sails north again this afternoon, going north as far as possible. This will likely be her last trip on this coast for the season (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 2)
Dec 18 J.A. Ward, Lightkeeper, Miscou Point, New Brunswick: Closing date. (CIS IC0756)
Dec 29 The last schooner to sail from PEI. The schooner “Minnie J. Dicks” sailed from Georgetown (the winter port) on Tuesday, December twenty-ninth. (Pat 4 Jan p8#3)
Dec 29 Boston: Schr. “Abbie Keast” (Br) which arrived Dec 21 from Minasville, NS, is fast in the ice at Quincy [? – Boston?] and is likely to remain there for sometime. (NYMR p. 11, col. 1)
Dec 30 The ice in the Humber Arm extends to Meadows Point. On Monday people were seen crossing the Humber Arm from Curling to Summerside on ice, the first time for the season. The SS “Meigle” returned from north Sunday morning. After landing mails, etc., at Curling she left again for St. John’s, without calling at Humbermouth, owing to that part of the Humber being blocked with ice. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 5)
Jan 2 Ships entering Georgetown and Pictou. (Pat 2 Jan p5#3)
Jan 3 Ships entering Pictou. (Pat 3 Jan p5#4)
Jan 6 On Saturday horses crossed over the ice for the first time this season. Last week before the ice on the Humber became thoroughly safe several persons fell through. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 5)
Jan 6 At 12:30 the Marine office reported both steamers have got clear of the heavy ice. The “Minto” is expected to dock in Georgetown at 2:20 and the Stanley at 2:40. (Pat 6 Jan p5#4)
Jan 6 The mails yesterday were transferred to the Capes route. The “Stanley” which at time of writing was stuck in the ice headed for Georgetown, had on board Wednesday’s mail. (Pat 6 Jan p5#4)
Jan 7 St. John’s, Nfld., owing to severe frosts in the northern part of the island threatening the speeding closure of all seaboard inlets, American and Canadian fishing vessels at Bay of Islands for the herring fishery, are leaving there, some tho only partly loaded because last year several American vessels were frozen fast in the ice floes for the whole winter and the American navy tug “Potomac,” which was sent out from Washington to cut them out, met the same fate. (HH 08/01/1915 p9#8)
Jan 8 Ships entered Georgetown and Pictou. (Pat 8 Jan p8#4)
Jan 13 Some codfish were jigged through the ice off Curling last week. The “Portia” on Thur. did not come to Curling owing to the ice in the Humber Arm. She landed mails, etc., at Meadows. The SS “Seal” found it difficult to negotiate a passage up the Humber last Wednesday, so landed the freight for Curling at Meadows. There was splendid ice for skating and ice boating in the Humber the last half of last week and the early days of this week. (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 3)
Jan 16 Both the “Minto” and the “Stanley” reached Georgetown on Saturday afternoon. The “Stanley” left Pictou on Thursday last and encountered trouble in the form of a three mile pack of ice which had been driven in by the north-easterly gale. It was rafted, tough ice, about from eight to ten feet thick. After fighting with the barrier for a whole day she made only about a mile progress. The “Minto” which left Georgetown on Thursday morning, had hard work fighting her way through but she succeeded in overcoming it and reached Pictou on Sunday. On her return trip on Saturday she worked her way out the “Stanley” cut her imprisoned sister ship loose so that the latter was able to follow her track. (Pat 18 Jan p1#3)
Jan 20 Parties who visited Curling the first part of the week state that the outer part of the Bay of Islands is free of ice. (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 1)
Jan 25 The ice boats left Cape Tormentine at 7:30 and arrived at Cape Traverse at 12:05. The boats left Cape Traverse at 7:40 and Arrived at Tormentine at 11:45. (Pat 25 Jan p5#4)
Jan 26 Ships entered Pictou and Georgetown. (Pat 26 Jan p5#3)
Jan 27 This is the first time the ice in this part of the Humber has been strong enough for a horse to cross over to Hughes’ Brook this year (Humbermouth) (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 5)
Jan 27 On Thur. there was excellent skating and ice boating on the Humber Arm. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 4)
Jan 27 There are numerous herring in the North and Middle Arms of Bay of Islands. It is unfortunate that the vessels left before they all had secured full loads. The unwarranted ice-scare evidently was responsible of several thousand dollars being lost to Bay of Island fishermen. (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 2)
Jan 28 Halifax, after a hard battle the steamer “Seal” reached port Tuesday night from the Magdalen Islands. The steamer had been badly battered during the trip and when she entered port looked like an iceberg. Six days were occupied in making the trip and during most of that time the steamer pounded heavily into the sea. The seas carried away the anchor. An attempt by Captain Murley to put on the windlass compressor, nearly cost him his life. Just as he was in the act of this the ship pitched forward and he was hurled against the windlass. “It was the worst storm I ever experienced,’ said Captain Murley. The first ice was met off Cape North, between Cape North and St. Paul’s. The ice at first was light but later the steamer soon ran into heavy ice. Captain Murley had a difficult task trying to get into Grindstone Island. The ice was very thick and heavy in the vicinity of the island. A change in the wind, however, worked out favorable. On Sunday the ship ran into a regular hurricane and it was during the worst part of this that Captain Murley came within an ace of being washed overboard. He was only saved from being plunged into the boiling sea by holding tightly on to a cable. (HH 29/01/1915 p9#3)
Jan 29 Halifax, the steamer “Queen Wilhelmina” arrived at Halifax early yesterday morning after an uneventful voyage from Liverpool, via St. John’s. During the “Queen Wilhelmina’s” voyage, three ice bergs were sighted, two of them between Halifax and Newfoundland. One large berg was seen near Bantam Bank [Avalon Peninsula], apparently aground. (HH 29/01/1915 p9#5)
Feb 3 The in-winds of Sat., Sun., and Mon. have filled the Bay with slob ice. This is the first time this season that Bay of Islands has been visited by the drift ice. Up the end of last week the ice in the Humber Arm did not extend beyond Voy’s Beach. It is thought that after the recent frosts, however the bridge to Wood’s Island will be quite safe. Herring continue to be plentiful at Middle Arm, up till now however, people have been somewhat hindered in catching them owing to the lack of ice. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 4)
Feb 5 Halifax, to release steamers caught in the ice at Glace Bay, Farquahar’s steamer “Seal” was hurriedly recommissioned and sailed for the Cape Breton coast, where the steamers “Cape Breton,” “Douglas H Thomas” and “Tyre” have been locked fast for the past three days. The ice conditions around the Cape Breton coast are serious and a menace to shipping. Many of the harbors and inlets are blocked up and it is impossible for any vessel to enter or clear. The “Seal” is expected to reach the ice-bound steamers today and will attempt to break the cordon which gripe them and take them in tow to open water. (HH 05/02/1915 p9#6)
Feb 10 Several steamers bound from St. John’s to North Sydney last week for coal cargoes found that part of the Cape Breton Coast blockaded with ice, and they were compelled to go to Louisburg. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 2)
Feb 10 The SS “Kyle” after being held up at North Sydney several days, owing to the ice blockade of that port, got away Sat. night and reached Port aux Basques Sun. morning. (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 1)
Feb 10 There was a good sign of codfish in the Humber Arm on Fri. and Sat. and some good specimens were taken through the ice. (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 3)
Feb 10 Halifax having successfully released the three steamers which were griped in the ice on the Cape Breton coast, the steamer “Seal,” Captain Murley, arrived at Halifax yesterday. Captain Murley reports the ice he encountered to have been exceptionally heavy. The “Seal” sailed from Halifax last Thursday and ran into ice off Scatterie. From that point as far as Lingan Head, where the steamers were held fast, the “Seal” did not meet with more than 50 yards of clear water, having to break her way nearly the whole distance. The three vessels which were icebound about six miles off Lingan Head, were the steamers “Cape Breton” “Douglas H Thomas” and the Norwegian ship “Tyr”. To reach these vessels the “Seal” had to ‘butt’ her way thru solid ice. This was unusually heavy and the last field to be broken before reaching the ships was over a mile wide and foot in thickness. Having broken a passage and released the three vessels they were enabled to followed the “Seal” out. On the voyage back thick fog was encountered by the “Seal” and owing to the ice in the vicinity of Scatterie she was compelled to keep seven or eight miles off the coast to avoid it. (HH 10/02/1915 p9#3)
Feb 13-14 SS “Rangatim” was unable to make Sydney, CB on account of drift ice in 45°30’N 57°30’W to 45°N 58°W. (NYMR)
Feb 17 The “Kyle” made 4 trips across the Cabot Strait from Sydney to Port aux Basques last week, bringing large quantities of mail and a number of passengers on each trip. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 5)
Feb 17 There is considerable ice in Cabot Strait at present, which is somewhat annoying to shipping and fishing operations. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 4)
Feb 24 The “Kyle” on her Wednesday’s trip across the Cabot Strait encountered considerable ice, and did not reach Port aux Basques till Thur. The “Kyle” lest Port aux Basques on Fri. morning and went to Louisburg, being unable to make North Sydney owing to the ice blockade on that part of the Cape Breton coast. (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 1)
Feb 24 Halifax, ships report heavy ice in the gulf. (HH 25/02/1915 p9#8)
Mar 3 The mild weather the past 4 or 5 days has taken away most of the snow, and has made good traveling on the Humber ice (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 3)
Mar 4 SS “Louisiana” 44°36’N 59°18’W passed through field ice for ~ 2 hours. (NYMR)
Mar 4 The cod-fishery has not been very good lately. Bait is scarce and ice conditions have also interfered somewhat. (TWS,p.2
Mar 4 Sydney, the annual spring flow of drift ice from the Arctic is making its way thru the Strait of Belle Isle, and down the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the west of Newfoundland. The Reid steamer “Kyle” is finding considerable difficulty on her trips between North Sydney and Port aux Basque. The Cape Breton coast is blocked with heavy drift and the steamers, usually unable to make North Sydney, lands passengers and mails at Louisburg. Cape Race reports an ice blockade running far south with an occasional huge berg sentinalling the floe. (HH 06/03/1915 p13#3)
Mar 6 St. John’s, concerning the herring fishery at the Bay of Islands during the season just passed, the St. John’s, NF Trade Review says: The herring fishery at the Bay of Islands was a very good one this season, the fish being more then ordinarily plentiful, and the weather conditions favorable. The value of the Bay of Islands herring fishery, this season would be much large but for a false report of ice conditions, which reached Curling when there were still 16 more vessels to be loaded. The report was to the effect that the Gulf ice was coming in on land, and fearing the consequences of a tie-up for an indefinite period, 16 vessels, each with only a small quantity of herring on board, hoisted anchor and sailed away for the United States. (HH 08/03/1915 p9#8)
Mar 9 Halifax, the steamer “Minto” which left Georgetown Saturday at 7 a.m., for Pictou and the “Stanley” which left Pictou at 7a.m., were both in heavy ice off Pictou Saturday afternoon, and reports stated they were still there. (HH 09/03/1915 p9#3)
Mar 10 Heavy ice is reported in the Gulf and it is thought the sealing ships will have some difficulty in negotiating a passage through it. (TWS, p.2)
Mar 11 Halifax, the British trawler “General Gordon” arrived yesterday from Ireland. Off Newfoundland immense ice fields were met and the vessel was held for a night. She was forced nearly 100 miles south of Cape Race. Captain Josephsen then steered a course for Sydney, but was again compelled by ice conditions to shape for the south and after forty-eight hours in the grip of a field of heavy ice, he was at last released and able to proceed to Halifax. (HH 11/05/1915 p9#6)
Mar 11 Quebec, experienced navigators forecast an early opening of river navigation. They say the river will be free of ice from Montreal to the sea by April 10. So far the river is open from the sea to a point sixteen miles below Three Rivers and it is expected both the “Montcalm” and “Lady Grey,” the government ice-breakers, will reach Three Rivers Sunday or Monday. (HH 12/03/1918 p9#8)
Mar 11 Owing to the hold-up of the steamers by the heavy closely packed ice in the vicinity of Pictou Island the Capes service has been restored until the steamers are able to make regular trips. What is needed to bring this about is a period of strong southwest winds to clear the straits. (Pat 11 Mar p1#4)
Mar 15 Scr. “Catherine C Burke” 45°00’N 67°15’W, passed south a large field of ice, which was apparently not very heavy. (NYMR 31 Mar p. 11, col. 1)
Mar 19 Both steamers are unable to make any headway against the closely packed ice today, the easterly snow storm of yesterday having caused further trouble. The “Stanley” at 11:00 am was reported in the same position as yesterday on Coles Point. The “Minto” left Pictou at 7 am yesterday for Georgetown but after getting about a mile north east of Coles Point she found conditions so hopeless that she put back to Pictou. (Pat 19 Mar p8#4)
Mar 20 Halifax: SS “Cape Breton” damaged propeller in ice off Louisburg recently. (NYMR)
Mar 22 Cape Salmon, Cape Chatte, Magdalen Islands – Heavy close packed ice. Father Point, Fame Point, Point Maquereau – Heavy, open ice everywhere. Cape Magdalen, Point Ecuminac, Heath Point, Scatari, Money Point – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cape Ray, Point Tupper, southwest. South, west points Anticosti – No ice. Flat Point – Light, close packed in shore. St. Paul’s Island – Light, close packed ice distant. (HH 23/03/1915 p11#3)
Mar 24 Fishermen going to Middle Arm yesterday found the ice broken up in to McIver’s Point (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 2)
Herring continue to be plentiful at North Arm; but owing to the breaking up of the ice to North Arm Point, it is difficult to get to and fro at present (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 5)
Mar 25 Cape Chatte, Martin River, Fame Point, Point Maquereau – Heavy, open ice everywhere. Cape Magdalen, Point Ecuminac, Heath Point, Scatari, Magdalen Islands, Money Point – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. St. Paul’s Island – Light, open ice everywhere. Cape Ray, Point Tupper – No ice. (HH 25/03/1915 p9#6)
Mar 25 Halifax, the steamer “Pro Patria” reached port yesterday, finishing her second trip of the season in the St. Pierre-Miquelon service. No ice was sighted as the steamer took a southerly course. (HH 25/03/1915 p9#3)
Mar 26 Halifax, the steamer “Seal,” which sailed from this port a fortnight ago for the Gulf of St. Lawrence sealing grounds, has been reported for the first time since she commenced operations. J A Farquhar and company yesterday received a message from the governor of St. Paul’s Island, saying that hood seals passed the Island on the ice Wednesday and yesterday, and that yesterday at dark the steamer “Seal” was in sight to the northward. (HH 27/03/1915 p13#3)
Mar 27 Father Point, Cape Chatte, Cape Magdalen, Fame Point, West Point, North Channel, Heath Point, Magdalen Islands, Money Point – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Scatari Heavy, open ice everywhere. Cape Ray, South, Southwest Points Bersimi, Point Demonta – No ice. (HH 27/03/1915 p13#3)
Mar 31 The messages said to have been received at Woods Island from Daniel’s Harbor on Jan 6th reported the drift ice on the coast and moving south. Our correspondent, however, states that the drift ice had not come to land up to 18th Jan. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 2)
Mar 31 The ice in the harbor (St. George’s) is disappearing rapidly. Dories are now crossing from Seal Rocks to the Point. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 2)
Mar 31 The “Viking” on Sat. reported herself in heavy ice making slow progress, steering S.W. Magdalenes. (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 4)
Mar 31 Several parties have been engaged putting in ice the past week. The ice off Curling is about 15 inches deep. (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 1)
Mar 31 The ice in parts of the Humber Arm is weakening, and on Monday an ox fell through it off Meadows. (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 2)
Apr 3 Ice conditions same as last report. Amherst Harbor, Island surrounded with it, no bait. Queensport, no ice. (HH 05/04/1915 p9#3)
Apr 5 The American “Cape Northern” expected to get away about April 15th. Ice reports indicate that the Magdalens will be free earlier this year than last season, and prospects are good for early baitings there. About the same number of vessels will go north. (HH 05/04/1915 p9#7)
Apr 6 Halifax, a Pictou dispatch yesterday afternoon said the steamer “Minto” and “Stanley” did nothing Sunday owing to the heavy snow storm. The “Stanley” left Georgetown yesterday morning and got stuck in the ice with no prospect of getting thru last evening. The “Minto” left Pictou yesterday morning but returned after noon on account of the heavy ice. She was to make another try this morning. (HH 07/04/1915 p11#7)
Apr 7 The harbor ice broke up and was carried away by the tide, so that the ferry boat will be running her regular trips in a few days (St. George’s). (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 1)
Apr 7 The ice at the head of the Humber Arm is disappearing rapidly; around Crow head too, water is beginning to show. (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 3)
Apr 7 At 10:00 this morning the “Minto” which left Pictou yesterday at 7:00 am was three miles off Cape Bear in heavy ice. The westerly wind today should help to clear the straits. The “Stanley” which left Georgetown on Monday morning docked in Pictou at midnight last night. She left on return at noon today. (Pat 7 Apr p8#3)
Apr 8 J.A. Ward, Lightkeeper, Miscou Point, New Brunswick: Opening date. (CIS IC0756)
Apr 8 Halifax, a Pictou dispatch Tuesday evening said the steamer “Stanley” for Georgetown Monday was in the ice about 9 miles from Pictou making slow progress, and the “Minto” from Pictou Tuesday morning was between Pictou Island and Cape Bear, like wise making slow progress. (HH 08/04/1915 p9#7)
Apr 8 Cape Magdalen, Fame Point – Light, open ice inshore. Point Ecuminac, Heath Point – Heavy close packed inshore. Scatari, St. Paul’s Island, Magdalen Islands, Money Point, Flat Point – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Anticosti, West Point, Southwest Point, South Point, Desmont, Point Tupper, Cape Ray – No ice. (HH 08/04/1915 p9#3)
Apr 8 The “Minto” at 9:30 was four miles off the east end of Pictou Island. (Pat 8 Apr p8#4)
Apr 9 The “Minto” left Pictou this morning. At 10:00 am she was three miles off Pictou Island stuck in heavy ice. The “Stanley” left Georgetown at 6:00 am. At 10:00 am she was reported anchored owing to illness of engineer. Since then however, she proceeded on her way. The ice is very heavy. (Pat 9 Apr p8#3)
Apr 10 Point Ecuminac, Cape Tormentine – Heavy close packed ice inshore. Cape Traverse – Heavy open ice. – Scatari, St. Paul’s Island, Magdalen Islands, Money Point – Heavy close packed ice everywhere. Flat Point – Heavy close packed ice distant. Point Tupper, Cape Ray – No ice. (HH 10/04/1915 p13#5)
Apr 10 Gloucester, according to Captain Peter Dunsky and crew of schooner “Teazer,” which arrived here last night, if it had not been for the powerful horse power engine with which the vessel is equipped she would have been crushed to pieces and they themselves might have perished when their vessel was caught in the heavy ice off Scatterie. The halibuter left here March 15 and fished on Burgeo bank. In a few days she had 10,000 pounds of fresh halibut aboard. So the skipper decided to start for home. When forty miles off Scatterie, the vessel ran into a blinding snow storm and it was soon impossible to see the length of the vessel. The watch was doubled as a matter of precaution. The storm was at its height when the men on deck heard a sound that they knew all too well. It was the ‘crunch’ of ice against the side. All hands were called. In the meantime the noise of the ice was becoming louder, although it was impossible to see it. The vessel was tacked in an attempt to free herself from the menacing white fields. The attempt to escape was useless and soon the skipper and crew realized that they were in the midst of an ice-field with perhaps no chance of escape. When day broke all hands realized their position. Ice was everywhere, with no open water in sight. Knowing that their only salvation lay in their engine, the order was given to ‘start er up.’ Slowly the vessel began to press on, while the ice towered above the rails and the water poured thru the seams of the vessel, so that the pumps were constantly manned. The vessel continued to force on thru the fields, but still the crew dared not hope. Even after the vessel had started it looked as if the safest course might be to leave her and take to the ice. However, they did not give up courage. For two days and a half the engine turned constantly and at last the men were rewarded with the sight of open water. On both side as high as the rail, the staunch planking is scraped bare and in some places even pierced thru, where the sharp ice came in contact. One, if not two of the propeller blades are gone. (HH 14/04/1915 p11#1)
Apr 10 The “Stanley” docked in Pictou today. (Pat 10 Apr p2#4)
Apr 10 At 9:30 the “Minto” bound for Georgetown was one mile north east of the east end of Pictou Island making slow progress in heavy ice. The “Stanley” at 10:00 am bound for Pictou was three miles from Merigomish making fair progress. She is expected to dock at noon. (Pat 10 Apr p8#4)
Apr 10 SS “I.D.S. Adolph”: saw an ice field extending from Guion Island to Louisburg and as far eastward as could be seen. (HB 1342 May 19)
Apr 12 Halifax, the French steamer “Pro Patria,” now in the Magdalen Island service, arrived yesterday from St. Pierre, Miquelon. Ice was encountered for about five hours after starting, but it was not thick enough to stop the “Pro Patria.” (HH 12/04/1915 p9#7)
Apr 12 Amherst Harbor, Island surrounded with ice moving down the gulf; no bait. Queensport, no drift ice. Souris – Coast packed with ice, no herring. (HH 13/04/1915 p9#5)
Apr 12 SS “I.D.S. Adolph” 45°35’N 59°56’W: an ice field about 5 miles long. (HB 1342 May 19)
Apr 14 Amherst Harbor, general reports are lots of ice yet around the island, no bait. Queensport – … no drift ice. (HH 15/04/1915 p9#3)
Apr 14 Montreal, the St. Lawrence river is now open from Montreal to the sea and the first regular steamer for this port will sail from Manchester tomorrow. The opening of navigation is two weeks ahead of last year. (HH 15/04/1915 p9#4)
Apr 15 Point Escuminac – Heavy close packed inshore. South Point, Anticosti – Heavy open ice inshore. Cape Tormentine – Heavy open ice everywhere. St. Paul’s Island, Heath Point, Magdalen Islands – Heavy close packed everywhere. Money Point – Heavy open ice inshore, stationary. Cape Ray – No ice. Scatari – Dense fog. Cape Traverse – Broken ice on mainland side. (HH 17/04/1915 p15#2)
Apr 15 Amherst Harbor, no improvements regarding ice conditions since yesterday, islands surrounded with ice, no bait. Souris – Heavy packed ice around north and east coast. (HH 16/04/1915 p9#4)
Apr 16 Souris, heavy drift ice around north and east coast, no herring. Amherst Harbor – No change in ice condition, lots around the island, no bait. (HH 17/04/1915 p15#2)
Apr 19 Canadian Signal Service: Point Maquereau, heavy close packed ice everywhere; South Point, heavy close packed ice everywhere moving W; Point Tupper, light close packed ice everywhere; Point Amour, heavy close packed ice everywhere, moving W. (NYMR 28 Apr)
Apr 20 Point Amour, heavy close packed ice everywhere, moving W. Belle Isle: heavy close packed ice everywhere. (NYMR 28 Apr)
Apr 21 The Bay of Islands is now clear of ice. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 4)
Apr 21 The winter ice cleared out the Humber Arm on Sunday night. (TWS, p.2)
Apr 21 Heath Point, heavy open ice distant. Cape Traverse, 2 miles of broken ice in straits. Cape Tormentine, light close packed ice distant. St. Pauls Island, light open ice everywhere. Scatari, light open ice everywhere. Point Tupper, straits full of ice. Grindstone, heavy open ice everywhere; Pleasant Bay clear of ice. Money Point, light close packed ice everywhere. Flat Point, light scattered ice distant moving W. Point Amour, heavy close packed ice moving E. (HB #1339 Apr 28)
Apr 21 Heath Point – Heavy open ice distant. Cape Traverse – Some broken ice in strait. St. Paul’s Island, Scatari – Light open ice everywhere. Point Tupper – Strait full of ice. Magdalen Islands – Heavy open ice everywhere. Money Point – Light close packed ice everywhere. Flat Point – Light scattered ice distant. Amherst Harbor, Lots around the island yet. (HH 22/04/1915 p9#6)
Apr 22 Heath Point, heavy open ice everywhere. Cape Traverse, heavy open ice in straits. Cape Tormentine, light close packed ice distant. St. Pauls Island, heavy open ice. Scatari, heavy open ice everywhere. Point Tupper, straits full of ice. Grindstone, heavy close packed ice everywhere. Money Point, heavy close packed ice inshore. Flat Point, heavy open ice distant. Cape Ray, heavy open ice distant moving S. Point Amour, heavy close packed ice inshore. (HB #1339 Apr 28)
Apr 22 Amherst Harbor – Ice getting loose and going down gulf gradually. Souris – Loose ice all around eastern end island. Queensport – No ice. (HH 23/04/1915 p9#3)
Apr 23 Heath Point, heavy ice in W. East Bay clear. Cape Traverse, heavy broken ice in straits. Cape Tormentine, light close packed ice distant. St. Pauls Island, heavy close packed ice everywhere. Point Tupper, straits full of ice. Grindstone, heavy open ice everywhere; Pleasant Bay clear. Money Point, heavy close packed ice everywhere. Flat Point, heavy open ice distant moving E. Point Amour, heavy close packed ice distant moving E. (HB #1339 Apr 28)
Apr 23 Amherst Harbor – Pleasant Bay getting clear of ice to south east and north west of island, no bait. (HH 24/04/1915 p13#5)
Apr 24 C.G.S. “Montcalm”: Apr 24th , ten miles SW. of Heath Point, Anticosti, 4.am., heavy field ice as far as we could see. Could not get through, had to edge ship toward Bird Rocks. Ship’s position,9.am., 40 miles S. by W. (mag.) from Heath Point. Met heavy close packed ice eastward and heavy scattered pieces westward of that line. From 30 miles north of Bird Rocks to Bird Rocks, and 35 miles east of Bird Rocks, no ice to be seen, except one iceberg about70 feet high and about 300 feet in diameter in 48°18’N 61°24’W. Apr 25th, forty miles SE. of Bird Rocks met small scattered patches of broken Ice for a distance of 12 miles. Then clear water to Cape Ray. From Cape Ray to northeast of St. Pauls Island, no ice. From Cape St. Lawrence to Sydney, 12 miles of heavy loose ice extending off Cape Breton coast. Nothing to eastward of this. Apr 27th, position 9.am, about 15 miles NE. from Flat Point. Met heavy close packed ice from Cranberry to 6 miles NE then loose ice as far as could be seen ahead. About 20 miles of close packed ice off Sydney, then clear water to Cape Ray. Apr 28th, no ice from Cape Anguille to Cape Ray. Also nothing from Cape Ray to northeast end of St. Pauls Island. Steamer “Jacona” reports no ice from St. Pierre Miquelon to Cape Ray. Lighthouse keeper at Bird Rocks reports no ice has been sighted for two weeks. Apr 29th, an iceberg aground half way between Bird Rocks and Bryon Island. Light loose strings of broken ice lying SW from Bryon Island and NW from Magdalen Islands for a distance of about 20 miles; thence ice is turning westward toward Baie des Chaleurs. No ice north and east from Bird Rocks and Bryon Island as far as can be seen. Apr 30th, left Bird Rocks this morning. No ice around and went 15 miles NE. (mag.); no ice. Thence NE by N: light scattered broken ice for 27 miles, then clear water everywhere. (HB #1340 May 5)
Apr 24 Heath Point, heavy open ice distant. Cape Traverse, heavy broken ice. Cape Tormentine, heavy close packed ice inshore. St. Pauls Island, heavy close packed ice everywhere moving S. Point Tupper, straits full of ice. Grindstone, heavy close packed ice N and S. Pleasant Bay clear. Money Point, heavy close packed ice everywhere. Flat Point, heavy open ice everywhere. (HB #1340 May 5)
Apr 26 Point Tupper, straits full of ice. Grindstone, heavy open ice. Pleasant Bay clear. Scatari, bay full of ice. Money Point, heavy close packed ice inshore. Flat Point, heavy open ice inshore. Point Amour, heavy close packed ice distant. (HB #1340 May 5)
Apr 27 Canadian Signal Service: Scatari: heavy open ice everywhere; Point Tupper, strait full of ice; Grindstone, heavy ice N and S; Byron Island and Pleasant Bay clear of ice; Flat Point, heavy open ice stationary; Belle Isle: heavy open ice everywhere, 20 bergs; Cape Race: bergs east, south and west; Sydney: ~20m of close packed ice; clear water from that to Cape Ray; no ice from Cape Ray to NE end of St. Paul’s Is. (NYMR 28 Apr)
Apr 27 Heath Point – Dense fog. Cape Traverse – No change. Scatarie – Heavy open ice everywhere. Point Tupper – Strait full of ice. Grindstone – Heavy ice north and south. Bryon Island and Pleasant Bay – Clear of ice. Flat Point – Heavy, open ice stationary. Queensport, no ice. Souris, – Murray Harbor, East Point, Morell and Souris reports heavy close packed ice. (HH 28/04/1915 p11#3)
Apr 28 No ice N and E of Bird Rocks and Byron Island, Gulf of St. Lawrence, as far as could be seen. (NYMR 28 Apr)
Apr 28 The northwest winds if late have brought some drift ice in on the coast. On Thur. it was in to the offer islands, and on Fri. herring fishers in Middle Arm had to take up their gear. (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 1)
Apr 28 Amherst Harbor – Ice getting loose, Pleasant Bay, clear. Souris – Ice conditions unchanged, heavy drift ice everywhere. Queensport, no ice. (HH 29/04/1915 p9#6)
Apr 29 First arrival of season at Quebec. (WBB)
Apr 29 South Point, light open ice distant. (NYMR 28 Apr)
Apr 29 Cape Traverse, broken ice distant. St. Pauls Island, light open ice distant. Point Tupper, straits full of ice. Scatari, heavy open ice everywhere. Money Point, heavy open ice everywhere. Flat Point, heavy open ice moving W. Point Amour, heavy close packed ice distant. (HB #1340 May 5)
Apr 30 SS “Jacona”: Encountered no ice from St.Pierre to Cape Ray. Fourteen miles NW of Cape Ray, heavy field ice extending as far as could be seen to northward and heavy detached pieces to southward. From Bird Rocks SE, no ice for a distance of 10 miles. Twenty miles NE of Bird Rocks, heavy packed ice could be seen. Dense fog from there to Fame Point. (HB #1340 May 5)
Apr 30 Flat Point, heavy open ice everywhere moving SE. Point Escuminac, light open ice distant. Scatari, heavy close packed ice everywhere. Cape Traverse, very little ice. Cape Tormentine, light open ice distant. Point Tupper, straits packed with ice. Money Point, light close packed ice everywhere. Point Amour, heavy close packed ice everywhere. (HB #1341 May 12)
Apr 30 Heath Point – Clear calm, no ice. Cape Traverse – five miles open water along shore. Scatarie – Light close packed ice inshore. Point Tupper – Loose ice. Grindstone – Ice conditions same. Flat Point – Heavy, open ice inshore. (HH 30/04/1915 p8#3)
Apr 30 Queensport, Herring scarce today, no ice. Souris, Loose drift ice still around north and east coast with little improvement. Amherst Harbor – Ice still around island and Pleasant Bay clear of ice, no bait. (HH 01/05/1915 p15#6,7)
May 1 Point Escuminac, heavy open ice inshore. Gaspe, C.G.S. “Montcalm” breaking ice in harbour. Scatari, scattered ice. Cape Traverse, broken ice in straits. Point Tupper, straits full of ice. Grindstone, ice heavy S and W of island; Pleasant Bay filling up. Money Point, heavy open ice inshore. (HB #1341 May 12)
May 1 Amherst Harbor, Solid ice south of Amherst Island. Pleasant Bay getting filled in, three bankers no bait. Queensport, no ice. (HH 03/05/1915 p9#6)
May 3 Flat point, heavy open ice everywhere. Point Escuminac, light open ice distant. Scatari, light open ice inshore. Cape Traverse, broken ice in straits. Point Tupper, straits clear. Bryon Island, Pleasant Bay full of ice. Money Point, heavy open ice distant. (HB #1341 May 12)
May 3 Souris, Large quantities of ice round north and east coast. Amherst Harbor, Solid ice south of Amherst Island and Entry, Pleasant Bay getting filled in, several bankers reported being at Etang du Nord. (HH 04/05/1915 p11#3)
May 4 Canadian Signal Service: Caper Traverse, ice all driven on New Brunswick shore, no ice between Seacowhead and Point Duchene; Cape Tormentine, heavy close packed ice inshore; St. Paul’s Island, light open ice distant; Point Tupper, strait clear; Grindstone, ice packed on shore; Money Point, south, no ice; Flat Point, heavy open ice everywhere, moving N; Belle Isle: heavy open ice, 20 bergs; Cape Race, numerous bergs. (NYMR 12 May)
May 4 SS “Milwaukee” passed a small berg 48°11’N 61°33’W. (HB #1341 May 12)
May 4 Souris, large quantity loose ice along east coast and East Point, also in quantity along north side westerly to Tracadie. Queensport, no ice. Amherst Harbor, ice solid south of Amherst Island, twenty bankers anchored at Etang du Nord, no bait. (HH 05/05/1915 p11#3)
May 4 SS “Parthenia” 48°10’N 61°37’W: a berg about 20 feet high and 70 feet long. (HB 1342 May 19)
May 5 Canadian Signal Service: Point Escuminac, heavy close packed ice inshore; South Point, an iceberg about 5 miles off; Cape Tormentine, light close packed ice inshore; Grindstone, heavy close packed ice inshore S side, clear water N side; Money Point, light open ice distant; Flat Point, heavy open ice 10 miles off coast; Point Amour: field of heavy close packed ice everywhere moving W then SE; Belle Isle, 20 bergs. (NYMR 12 May)
May 5 Queensport, no ice. Souris, East Point report ice, eastern large quantities. Amherst Harbor, Pleasant Bay filled with ice. (HH 06/05/1915 p9#4)
May 6 Canadian Signal Service: Cape Tormentine, close packed ice inshore; Flat Point, heavy open ice; St.Pauls’ Is: light open ice; Cape Race, numerous bergs; Belle Isle, heavy close packed ice distant. (NYMR 12 May)
May 6 Money Point, light open ice inshore. (HB #1341 May 12)
May 7 Flat Point, light close packed ice inshore extending from Lingan Head to Ingonish; no ice outside. Cape Traverse, considerable open ice in the middle of strait. Cape Tormentine, light close packed ice inshore. Point Amour, close packed ice distant. (HB #1341 May 12)
May 7 Pictou, a wireless message received from the steamer “Ramos,” bound from New York for Liverpool, is stuck in heavy ice 29 miles east Magnetic North Point of Prince Edward Island. Several schooners also stuck in the ice, are visible from here. If there is not a change in ice conditions it is likely that one of the government icebreakers, “Minto” or “Stanley,” will be sent to the steamer’s assistance. All records are being broken for the heaviest ice staying on this coast. The ice stretches unbroken as far as can be seen from the mouth of Pictou harbor. The “Minto” left Pictou for Charlottetown at 5 o’clock this evening, not having arrived here until 1 o’clock this morning from having taken eighteen hours for the run from Charlottetown, which would take four hour under ordinary circumstances. The captains of the winter boat report that the ice is heavier now than at any time in April. The steamer “Cascapedia,” the Montreal boat, after two attempts to reach Pictou, from Charlottetown, had given up and had gone to Summerside to coal for the return trip to the St. Lawrence. At the terminals at Cape Tormentine, the ice has piled up so that there is no chance of getting to work for sometime. All along the shore the lobster fishermen are held up by the ice. (HH 08/05/1915 p13#5)
May 7 Queensport, no ice. Souris, Georgetown reports ice. Souris distant ice. East Point report solid body, drift ice east and west. Amherst Harbor, Pleasant Bay full of ice; at Westpoint, lots of ice. (HH 08/05/1915 p13#5)
May 7 SS [unknown, lost in copying] 47°59’N 61°14’W: saw a berg and several growlers; 48°08’N 61°44’W: a berg; 48°36’N 63°05’W: a small berg; 48°45’N 62°51’W: a small berg and two growlers; [next line lost]. (HB 1342 May 19)
May 8 Belle Isle: heavy open ice distant. (HB 1342 May 19 CSS)
May 8 CGS “Montcalm”: passed small bergs and several growlers from 8 to 20 miles NW of Bird Rocks. Passed two small bergs and two growlers from 25 to 40 miles ESE of Cap des Rosiers. Cabot Strait clear of ice. (HB 1342 May 19 CSS)
May 8 Cape Tormentine: light close packed ice inshore. Cape Traverse: considerable ice drifting in strait. Point Escuminac: heavy open ice inshore. Magdalen Islands: some ice still around islands. Point Tupper: strait clear. Flat Point: heavy open ice stationary. (HB 1342 May 19 CSS)
May 9 Cape Tormentine: light open ice distant. Magdalen Islands: some ice still around islands. Point Amour: heavy open ice stationary. (HB 1342 May 19 CSS)
May 10 Queensport, no ice. Amherst Harbor, General report herring in traps at Etang du Nord, none reported anywhere else except at Grand Entry; some loose ice moving off. (HH 11/05/1915 p11#4)
May 10 Cape Traverse: some loose ice inshore. Flat Point: heavy open ice inshore. Point Amour: heavy open ice. (HB 1342 May 19 CSS)
May 11 Halifax, after a fair passage, during which the fog off our coast was the only trouble met with, the steamer “Pro Patria” arrived yesterday from St. Pierre. No ice was met with, but Sydney harbor was as yet impassable making it necessary to being the mail to Halifax instead of landing it at the Cape Breton port. (HH 11/05/1915 p11#5)
May 11 Queensport, no ice. Amherst Harbor, Ice in Pleasant Bay moving out slowly, ice around Amherst. Souris, East Point report heavy loose ice east and west similar condition off east coast. (HH 12/05/1915 p11#4)
May 11 Magdalen Islands: some scattered ice south and west of islands. Point Tupper: strait clear. Flat Point: heavy open ice inshore moving SE. Scatari: some open ice distant. (HB 1342 May 19 CSS)
May 12 The SS “Portia” is making her first trip to the Coast for the season. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 4)
May 12 Canadian Signal Service: Cape Traverse- Some scattered ice eastward, no ice westward. Magdalene Islands- Some scattered ice south of the islands, moving east. Scatari- Some ice inshore, heavy close packed ice NE. Flat Point- Heavy open ice, moving SE. (NYMR 19 May p. 10, col. 5)
May 12 Belle Isle: heavy close packed ice distant. Cape Traverse: some scattered ice eastward – no ice westward. Magdalen Islands: some scattered ice south of islands moving west. Flat Point: heavy open ice inshore moving SE. Scatari: some ice inshore, heavy close packed ice NE. Point Amour: heavy open ice distant. (HB 1342 May 19 CSS)
May 13 Amherst Harbor, some scattered ice in Pleasant Bay and outside. Souris, East Point reports close packed. Souris and eastern coast report ice on horizon only. (HH 14/05/1915 p9#4)
May 13 Belle Isle: heavy close packed ice inshore, 15 bergs. Magdalen Islands: some ice still south of islands. Flat Point: heavy open ice inshore. (HB 1342 May 19 CSS)
May 14 Grindstone, some ice S of islands. (HB #1343 May 26)
May 14 Souris, East Point and north coast report close packed ice. Souris and eastern coast distant ice only, no bait. Amherst Harbor, ice Pleasant Bay on Amherst side strips of ice outside also. (HH 15/05/1915 p13#4)
May 15 Grindstone, some ice S of islands. Point Tupper, straits full of ice. Money Point, light open ice inshore. (HB #1343 May 26)
May 15 Amherst Harbor, scattered ice around yet. (HH 17/05/1915 p11#4)
May 16 Grindstone, heavy ice S and W of islands – Pleasant Bay full of loose scattered ice. Point Amour, light close packed ice everywhere moving W.; 5 bergs. (HB #1343 May 26)
May 16 SS “Corsican” 47°49’N 60°50’W passed growlers; 47°58’N 61°15’W small icebergs. (HB #1343 May 26)
May 17 Grindstone, ice S and W of islands. Point Tupper, straits full of ice. Point Amour, heavy open ice distant; 5 bergs. (HB #1343 May 26)
May 17 Souris, PEI, May 27 [17] – East Point and north coast reports heavy close packed ice, Souris and eastern coast distant ice only. Amherst Harbor, May 17 – strips of ice around yet and in Pleasant Bay on Amherst side. (HH 18/05/1915 p15#3)
May 18 Point Tupper, straits full of ice. Point Amour, heavy open ice stationary. (HB #1343 May 26)
May 18 Amherst Harbor, Scattered ice all around. (HH 18/05/1915 p13#5)
May 19 Point Tupper, straits full of ice. Point Amour, heavy open ice everywhere moving W. (HB #1343 May 26)
May 19 Amherst Harbor, ice getting pretty well clear out. Souris, north coast and East Point report close packed ice eastern coast report distant ice, herring scarce. (HH 20/05/1915 p11#5)
May 20 Canadian Signal Service:- Point Tupper, Straits full of ice.. (NYMR 26 May p.12, col. 3)
May 20 Point Amour, heavy close packed ice everywhere moving W. (HB #1343 May 26)
May 20 Souris, North coast reports ice scattered by wind and tide, but large fields visible eastern coast, distant ice only. Amherst Harbor, ice is about all gone away. (HH 21/05/1915 p11#3)
May 21 Point Tupper, straits full of ice. Point Amour, heavy close packed ice everywhere. (HB #1343 May 26)
May 22 Point Amour, heavy close packed ice everywhere moving W. (HB #1343 May 26)
May 24 Point Tupper, straits clear. (HB #1344 Jun 2)
May 25 Point Amour, heavy close packed ice distant – 2 bergs. (HB #1344 Jun 2)
May ~26 The C.G.S. “ Minto” reports considerable ice from east end of Pictou Island to 8 miles SE. of Cape George -Bay itself clear. Inside this line met Ice off Port Nouveau Island; heavy but loose and extending north along the eastern coast. (HB #1343 May 26)
Jun 4 Point Amour, heavy close packed ice everywhere, moving E. (HB #1345 Jun 9)
Jun 14 Point Amour, light open ice everywhere. (HB #1347 Jun 23)
Jun 27 First Westbound steamer through the strait of Belle Isle. (WBB)