1920 Season
Nov 10 Last eastbound steamer through the Strait of Belle Isle. (WBB)
Dec 4 Que., Dec 18 – Because of the condition of the Canadian government steamer “Canadian Spinner,” which has been drifting in the ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for over two weeks, the marine department has ordered the ferry steamer running between Prince Edward Island and the mainland to come to the relief of the liner. (HH 01/01/1920 p1#3)
Dec 13 J.A. Ward, Lightkeeper, Miscou Point, New Brunswick: Closing date. (CIS IC0756_2)
Dec 13 Ottawa, December 31 – Efforts are being made by the Newfoundland government to reach the wireless operators and lighthouse keepers who are said to be in distress on Belle Isle. The marine department has received a telegram from the minister of shipping Newfoundland to the effect that it is expected “Seal” will be able to reach the men. It was found impossible for the Canadian Government steamer “Montcalm” to get to them via the inner passage owing to the heavy ice. (HH 01/01/1920 p1#3)
Dec 15 Halifax, February 21 – Word was received by Captain Nye, of the United States Shipping Board that the tug “Viligent” which has been frozen in the ice at Cape Bald NB, since December 15th, had broken adrift as a result of Thursday’s heavy southeast gale. The last report stated that the tug was in open water eight miles above Cape Tormentine and that assistance will probably be sent from there. The tug had on board when she broke adrift a crew of five men and when rescued will probably be towed to Cape Tormentine. She is a new ship and when caught in the ice was bound from Sturgeon Bay to Boston. (HH 21/02/1920 p9 #6)
Dec 16 Last departure of the season from Quebec. (WBB)
Dec 31 On Mon. ice extended out the Humber to John’s Beach, with open water at Meadows and Humbermouth. The SS “Amphitrite” loaded with barreled herring got liberated from Humber Arm ice on Thur. and went to Woods Island, from which port she sailed on Sat. (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 1-2)
Jan 3 Previous attempts to land supplies for the government employees on this desolate coast [Belle Isle] ended in stranding of the steamer “Aranmore” and the driving back of the “Montcalm” by drift ice. (HH 03/01/1920 p9 #3 )
Jan 5 Ottawa, efforts of the Marine Department to reach the Magdalen Islands with supplies for the inhabitants have so been unavailing. On Friday last, the “Canadian Sealer” was dispatched from Pictou with a cargo but she was unable to reach the Islands on account of the heavy ice and was forced to put back into Souris. Another unsuccessful attempt was made yesterday morning and the captain now wires the department that it will be impossible to get to the islands under present conditions. The “Canadian Sealer” is not equipped with apparatus for coping with heavy ice. (HH 06/01/1920 p1 #2)
Jan 5 Ottawa, the Marine department has been advised that the steamer “Montcalm” which has gone to the rescue of the “Canadian Spinner” now ice-bound in the Gulf, is within ninety-five miles of the distressed vessel. If the “Montcalm” should succeed in getting the “Canadian Spinner” clear of the ice, it is proposed to send her to the Magdalen Islands with supplies for the people there. Ice conditions in the Gulf of St. Lawrence are the worst in memory of the officials of the department. Severe cold and gales have made rescue work increasingly difficult. It is understood that the people living on the island of Anticosti are also in distress. (HH 06/01/1920 p2#5)
Jan 5 Quebec, shipping men here express the belief that the next news that will be heard from the steamer “Canadian Spinner” which was locked in the ice for upwards of two weeks off Matane, is that she has safely reached a Maritime province port. The last heard from the “Spinner” was that she had passed Fame Point at ten o’clock Saturday morning and that the steamer “Montcalm” which was at Aspy, Cape Breton, was in constant wireless communication and ready to go to her assistance if needed. (HH 06/01/1920 p9#7)
Jan 7 The car ferry steamer made three round trips yesterday through very difficult ice conditions; the first trip taking almost three hours. (Pat 8 Jan p8#3)
Jan 8 Quebec, the government steamer “Montcalm” released the steamer Canadian Spinner from her position in which she has been drifting in a helpless position for nearly a month is now assisting the “Spinner” to reach the port of Sydney. It was reported late tonight that the “Montcalm” and “Spinner” were in heavy close packed ice 12 miles from shore. The captain’s message stated that the ice was too heavy to permit any progress. Their progress to Sydney will necessarily be slow as the “Spinner” not being an ice boat and having a damaged rudder, every precaution will have to be taken for the safety of both vessels. (HH 09/01/1920 p15 #3)
Jan 14 The SS “Kyle” sailed on Wed., going direct to North Sydney. Schooners “Nataska” and “Romance” are caught in ice at North Armand will likely have to remain there till Spring. On Thur. the schooner “Earl Grey” left Woods Island to load herring, but was hindered by ice, and returned to Woods Island again on Fri. (TWS, pg. 3, col. 3)
Jan 14 The schr “Cecil Beck” is reported frozen in for the winter at North Arm, Bay of Island, Nfld. (HH 14/01/1920 p11 #3)
Jan 15 The ice pack in the gulf of St. Lawrence and Strait of Northumberland has not yet been broken. K. R. McLennan, the Escuminac light keeper, says that he never saw so much ice off the point. It is piled up high on the shore and stretches far out into the gulf. (HH 15/01/1920 p11 #4)
Jan 15 No word has been received since a week ago Fri. from the herring crafts which were reported caught in the ice in the North Arm at Bay of Islands, Nfld and it is now feared that the vessels have been nipped and will be unable to get out until the spring thaw takes the ice out of the Bay. (HH 22/01/1920 p13 #7-8)
Jan 17 Quebec, the Can. Gov. steamer “Montcalm” is encountering severe weather and heavy ice on her voyage to the Magdalen Is. leaving Souris at 7:20 Sat morning she had only advanced 26 miles at 6 pm yesterday. She reports heavy packed ice right along her course with a temperature of 10 below zero. (HH 28/01/1920 p15 #4)
Jan 21 Saturday’s southeast breeze of wind took the drift ice off land some distance. The ice broke off McIves Point on Sun, and report from Woods Island on Mon. stated that it was gone from North and Middle Arm. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 3)
Jan 21 Ottawa, the Department of Marine has now decided that it is practically impossible for the “Canadian Sealer” to reach the Magdalen Islands with a cargo of supplies for the inhabitants. The captain of the vessel informs the department that to put out under weather and ice conditions might mean the loss of the “Sealer”. It has therefore been decided to transfer the cargo from the “Sealer” to the ice breaker “Montcalm,” which is now at Souris, and try to get to the islands with her. Weather conditions have been extremely difficult on the east coast this winter. Terrific gales, snow, ice and wind have made rescue work very hard (Note – A dispatch Tues. stated that the “Montcalm” had broken a lane to the “Sealer” in Souris Harbor and both vessels had started for the Magdalens. (HH 22/01/1920 p1 right col)
Jan 23 The American schooner “Louisa R. Sylva” from Woods Island, Nfld. bound to Gloucester, was in Mosher’s Harbour on Mon. for shelter. Capt. Duff reported winter weather is severe in Nfld and if the steamer “Kyle” had not broken a channel thru the ice the “Lousia R. Sylva” would have been frozen in for the winter. (HH 23/01/1920 p15 #8)
Jan 23 Canso, sharp frost with calm weather practically coated Chedabucto Bay with ice last night but not sufficient to prevent steamer “Robert G Cann” from making regular trip. Of the three lines of steamers operation in Chedabucto Bay connecting at Mulgrave, the “Roberta G Cann” is the only steamer which had not been disabled. The Arichat boat is frozen in and the Guysboro Queensport boat is off for repairs. (HH 24/01/1920 p3 #7)
Jan 26 Heavy ice in Northumberland Straits – Charlottetown Guardian – The car ferry steamer is experiencing the worst ice conditions since she started on the Borden-Tormentine service. (HH 26/01/1920 p11 #7)
Jan 27 Quebec, the Canadian government steamer “Montcalm” is encountering severe weather and heavy ice on her voyage to the Magdalen Islands, so much so that leaving Souris at 7:20 Saturday morning she had only advanced twenty six miles at six p.m. yesterday. She reports heavy packed ice right along her course with a temperature of ten below zero. (HH 28/01/1920 p15#4)
Jan 27 Quebec, the Canadian government steamer “Montcalm” is stuck hard in the ice off the East Point of PEI and today she reported making no headway. The vessel left Souris on Sat morning for the Magdalen Islands and does not expect to pull out of the ice until a change of wind s—-es [?] the floes. All are well on board. (HH 28/01/1920 p2 #4)
Jan 28 The SS “Kyle” reached Port aux Basques on Sun., from St. John’s. Capt. Stevenson reported the ocean frozen over (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 3)
Jan 31 Lawlor’s Island is completely isolated from the mainland by ice which has formed since the cold spell set in. (HH 31/01/1920 p9#8)
Feb 1 Steamer “Sheba” arrived in St. John’s yesterday [from] Louisburg with general cargo. She reports heavy sea ice most of the way. (HH 02/02/1920 p15#8)
Feb 2 On Saturday a dispatch stated that the marine department at Ottawa had ordered the Canadian government steamer “Montcalm” to put back to Halifax and abandon the idea of reaching the Magdalen Islands until late winter or early spring. Yesterday The Halifax Herald received the following special from Pictou: Latest wireless report here state “Montcalm” has broken a blade off her propeller endeavoring to force her way thru heavy close packed ice off East Point, PE Island. Quebec, February 2 – The Canadian government steamer “Montcalm” is still drifting with the ice down the Gulf. She got jammed a week ago Saturday while attempting to reach the Magdalen Islands from Souris, PEI with cargo and mails. Captain John Hearn, her master reports that all are well on board and that the ship is drifting backwards from the Magdalens. (HH 03/02/1920 p1)
Feb 2 North Sydney: never in the history of Newfoundland has weather conditions prevailed such as exists today. every harbor on the southern coast, including St. John’s – in fact everything is in the hands of ice king for some time with poor prospects for the future. The port of St. John’s is also shut out from the outside by a barrier of ice that was never known to exist there in the history of the port. (HH 04/02/1920 p3 #8)
Feb 4 The SS “Kyle” was blocked by ice in North Sydney harbor last week, northeast winds having packed the drift ice in heavily on that part of the Cape Breton coast. But Monday’s southerly moved the ice off shore and liberated the ship. She was 16 miles E.N.E. of Flint Island at 8am yesterday: wind north, heavy ice. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 3)
Feb 9 Ottawa, although the vessel is in no danger, chances of the government ice-breaker “Montcalm” reaching the Magdalen Islands seem very remote. The latest report to the marine department states that she is now eight miles off Cape St. Lawrence on the St. John, north of Cape Breton Island, drifting eastward with the ice. (HH 10/02/1920 p1 bottom)
Feb 11 Quebec, the latest news from the “Montcalm” came today in a dispatch from Sydney to the effect that the ship is still drifting slowly. At 8 a.m. today she was about 12 miles west of St. Paul’s Island, in the Straits of Cabot, and it is believed she will attempt to reach Halifax once she clears herself of the ice that has held her captive for nearly a month now. (HH 12/02/1920 p11#4)
Feb 13 45°50’N[45°40’N (HB)] 56°50′ or 40’W to 45°37’N 57°16’W field ice from 1″ to 3″ thick. (NYMR)
Feb 14 The steamers “Scotia” and “Enterprise” are both in port. They report very heavy ice. The “Scotia” landed her cargo at Guysboro and Isaac’s Harbor on the ice. At her other ports of call, Canso, Port Hilford and Sheet Harbor it was impossible for her to land her cargo and it is held over until the next trip. The “Enterprise” with great difficulty made her various calls at Lunenburg, LaHave, Liverpool and Riverport. Captain Schmeisser reports the LaHave frozen to the sea. On her last trip here she towed the “Marguerite H.” to Halifax from Parker’s Creek [?]where she was frozen in. To free the vessel the “Entreprise” had to cut thru 14 inches of ice. (HH 14/02/1920 p11#2)
Feb 18 Owing to the stormy weather and presence of much ice, this winter’s fishing at Port aux Basques has not been as successful as usual. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 3)
Feb 19 The storm of yesterday, it is expected, will give the ice along the coast a severe shaking and release some coastwise shipping. So heavy was the ice in Chester Basin that people were walking from Tancook to Chester. They enjoyed this mode of travel for two months without a break. (HH 20/02/1920 p13#4)
Feb 20 Lunenburg: Vessels dragged anchors and damaged ashore and in the ice in hurricane winds. (NYMR)
Feb 21 Boston:- The presence of large icebergs and floes off the Nova Scotia coast and in the path of transatlantic shipping was reported by the str. “Tullamore” (Br), which arrived at this port today. (NYMR 25 Feb p. 17, c 1)
Feb 22 Ottawa, although his vessel is in a more favorable situation with regard to ice conditions than it has been for several days, the master of the government steamer “Montcalm” has wired the marine department that it is inadvisable for him to make any further attempt to reach the Magdalen Islands. In his struggle with adverse weather conditions and heavy ice during the past weeks, he has lost one of his propeller blades which will have to be restored. He advised the department that he would make for Halifax in order to have the necessary repairs effected. the time of his arrival at the port will depend on whether ice and weather conditions are favorable. Later: A wireless received at North Sydney states that at 6:20 a.m. the “Montcalm” reached a point half a mile from Grindstone Island and was unloading stores and provisions on the ice which the people were carrying ashore on sleds and teams. The recent heavy gales scattered the ice considerably and made possible of achievement what appeared to be a hopeless task. (HH 23/02/1920 p11#5)
Mar 3 Some of the teams hauling herring from Middle Arm got in the water near Middle Arm Point on Sat. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 1)
Mar 3 Our ice boaters took advantage of the good ice on the Humber last week. (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 3)
Mar 10 Halifax, Captain Nye, of the Shipping Board, has lately returned from a trip to Cape Bald, NB where he inspected the tug “Diligent”, recently set adrift in the Northumberland Straits by drift ice. He found her in a secure position behind the Cape Bald breakwater, out of danger of any further damage from drift ice. Considering what she has been through coming down the St. Lawrence and again while adrift, her hull has suffered little damage and her engines and equipment are in excellent condition. No attempt will be made to pull the tug into deep water until about the middle of April when the Northumberland Straits are free from ice. (HH 10/03/1920 p15 #7)
Mar 24 Messages from the sealing fleet indicate that this spring’s voyage will be a small one. Ice is very heavy and the steamers are experiencing much difficulty getting through it. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 1)
Mar 24 Wm. Noseworthy cut his foot while cutting a hole in the ice at Middle Arm to set herring nets. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 4)
Mar 28 Charlottetown harbour open. (Pat 21 Apr 1923 p 6#4)
Mar 31 Parties skated from Curling to Middle Arm on Monday. When setting nets at Middle Arm fishermen found the ice 5 to 6 inches thick. (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 4)
Mar 31 The sealing steamers have made little or no improvement and it looks as though the voyage for this season will be a total blank. (TWS, pg. 3, Col. 3)
Mar 31 Eastward to Matane, along south and north shores to Seven Is., Anticosti, Heath Point, close packed; Magdalen Is., close packed everywhere; Point Tupper, Cape Ray, no ice. (HH 31/03/1920 p9 #2)
Apr 1 J.A. Ward, Lightkeeper, Miscou Point, New Brunswick: Opening date. (CIS IC0756_2)
Apr 1 After being held up for a long while by the ice conditions, the tern schooner “W N Reinhardt”, sailed yesterday from Louisburg for Burin NFLD. (HH 01/04/1920 p13 #3)
Apr 2 Martin River to Gaspe open ice everywhere; Anticosti, open and close packed; Magdalen Is. close packed everywhere; Money Point, close packed in shore; Gut of Canso, loose ice; Flat Point, no ice; Cape Ray, close packed distant ice; Northumberland Strait, full of heavy packed ice from Alberton to Summerside; Balance of Strait, filling up. (HH 02/04/1920 p15 #7)
Apr 3 The St. Pierre steamer “Pro Patria” expects to go on the marine slip today for her annual overhaul. On account of damage caused by the season’s heavy ice it will be necessary to have 6 new plates put on and several others straightened. She will be on about three weeks. The “Pro Patria” was on the slip only a short while ago having a new propeller adjusted, her old one having been broken by the ice. (HH 03/04/1920 p9 #4)
Apr 5 Anticosti, very little ice; Heath Point, Magdalen Is. and Money Point, heavy, close packed; Point Tupper, strait packed; Cape Ray, heavy open everywhere; Flat Point, open, distance. (HH 08/04/1920 p19 #6)
Apr 7 On her last trip from North Sydney last week the “Kyle” met some seals on the ice in Cabot Strait. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 2) [NOTE: The bottom half of the pages of this edition are missing, and there are only 2 pages]
Apr 9 South Point, Anticosti to Magdalen Islands, open ice; Money Point, open distant; Cape Ray, heavy, close packed distant; Flat Point, light open distant. (HH 09/04/1920 p19 #2)
Apr 12 The first steamer to enter Charlottetown harbour this season arrived here last evening. It was the little steamer “Guide” from Quebec bound for Pictou from which place she will run to the Magdalens. In coming down she had lost a couple of blades from her propeller by drift ice. (Pat 13 Apr p8#3)
Apr 14 Montreal to Quebec river, clear tomorrow. Quebec to South West Anticosti, no ice; South Point, Anticosti to Magdalen Is., close packed everywhere; Cape Ray, heavy open distant; Flat Point light, open distant; Point Tupper, gut Canso, loose ice. (HH 14/04/1920 p9 #8)
Apr 15 The “Diligent reports seeing considerable ice in the Northumberland Straits. (HH 15/04/1920 p15 #5)
Apr 16 The Board of Trade received the following telegram from the superintendent of Signals, Quebec under date April 16th: Ice jam still holding head Lake St. Peter eastward to southwest points; Anticosti, no ice; South Point, Heath Point, close packed everywhere; Magdalen Is. scattered and open ice around islands; Point Tupper, Flat Point, no ice; Money Point, Cape Ray telegraph interrupted today. (HH 19/04/1920 p15 #5)
Apr 16 Quebec to Anticosti, Southwest point, no ice; Health Point, heavy close packed inshore; Magdalen Is. scattered and open ice; Money Point, no ice insight; Cape Ray, heavy open distant; Flat Point light, open inshore. (HH 16/04/1920 p15 #8)
Apr 17 A despatch from Etang du Nord Magdalen Islands, says that the ice is clearing away from the Islands and that what remains is light, with much open water. At Anticosti similar conditions prevail but at Cape Ray the ice is thick and heavy. There is no ice from Quebec to Gaspe. (Pat 17 Apr p1#4)
Apr 19 “Scotian II” here for annual Repairs. The Strait of Canso has been free of ice for the past few days. (HH 19/04/1920 p15 #8)
Apr 20 46°35’N 57°27’W [47°W?] to 45°30’N 47°25’W growlers and a few icebergs. (HB #1601 May 12)
Apr 21 River Montreal to Quebec open since yesterday; will start to lay buoys 21st instant; Heath Point, close packed everywhere; Magdalen Is. broken ice in shore. (HH 21/04/1920 p15 #8)
Apr 27 Boston, the spring southward drift of ice in the North Atlantic has started in earnest, according to officers of the British Steamer “Ernemore, which arrived yesterday from Glasgow. They said that for 26 hours the freighter steamed slowly through the ice fields and made several detours to avoid bergs and growlers. (HH 28/04/1920 p7#6)
Apr 28 The SS “Diana” is making a trip to Bonne Bay and other places along the northwest coast as far as ice conditions will permit. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 1)
Apr 28 The ice in Humber Arm is fast melting, and navigation will likely be operational within another week (TWS, pg. 5, Col. 4)
Apr 29 First arrival of season at Quebec. (WBB)
Apr 29 The channel between Quebec and Montreal is now clear of ice, and it will be possible to commence steamboats between Montreal and Quebec this week. (NYMR, p. 11, col. 2)
May 5 By the shifting ice on Thur. the schooner “Ada Mildred” dragged from her anchorage at Petipas Cove. The SS “George I” was dispatched to the rescue and relieved the vessel from her dangerous position and towed her to safety. The ice began breaking up in Humber Arm on Wed. By the easterly breeze of Sat. the whole Arm was freed from ice, and this part of the Bay of Islands was again open to navigation. But Mon.’s northerly breeze brought the North Arm ice up the Bay and filled the Humber Arm. This will all go out again by first change of wind. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 4)
May 5 The SS “George I” subsidized for the mail service on Bay of Islands, took up the work on Mon., but owing to the shifting ice in the outer part of the bay all ports of call could not be reached. (TWS, pg. 4, Col. 2)
May 12 Now that navigation is again open, those who have occasion to travel or in any other way use the North-west coast service are keenly interested as to see what steamer will replace the “Ethie” on that route. (TWS, pg. 2, Col. 1)
May 14 48°43’N 63°05’W steamed through 7 miles of well-scattered field ice. (HB #1604 Jun 2)
May 14 48°46’N 63°23’W field ice about 3 miles wide extending northward and southward as far as could be seen. (HB #1604 Jun 2)
June 27 First Westbound steamer through the strait of Belle Isle. (WBB)