January
Jan 9 Issue: The last of the Island’s open ports fell to winter’s grip when the eastern section of the Province was closed by ice this weekend. The ports of Summerside, Alberton and Charlottetown have been ice blocked for several weeks. The MV “Brian” a freighter bound for Georgetown, yesterday was forced to turn back before she got within 45 miles of the port. The “Brian” became locked in ice some 20 miles off East Point and sent a call for aid. (Pat 9 Jan 1959 p2 c6)
February
March
April
Apr 15 Latest reports from the Dept. of Transportation show that Gulf ice has shifted eastward but they state a NE wind could move the floes now off Newfoundland into the main shipping lanes of Cabot Strait. Open tracks have been charted through about 60 miles of “soft ice” in the Cabot Strait while normal routes are blocked by 100 miles of heavy ice. (Pat 15 April p1 c1)
Apr 16 The SS “Magdelene” became the first ship to enter Charlottetown harbour during the current season; encountered very little ice of any consequence on their triangular run from Pictou (Charlottetown, Magdelene, Pictou). (Pat 16 April p3 c1)
Apr 18 It is reported there is a ½ mile of drift ice on the Tormentine side of the Strait. (Pat 18 Apr p1 c1)
Apr 21 The Imperial Halifax became the first tanker of the season to arrive in Charlottetown; arrived last evening. (Pat 21 Apr p3 c1)
Apr 24 MV “Maid of Claire” from Grindstone made a good trip from the Magdelenes and encountered no ice enroute. (Pat 24 Apr p3 c1)
Apr 27 The only ice in Northumberland Strait is a few small floes between Tormentine and Crapaud, reported Capt. A. Brown, ice information officer, Marine Branch, D.O.T.]. (Pat 27 Apr 1959 pg 3 col 1)
Apr 27 The only ice on the New Brunswick coast is from Dalhousie to Campbellton, the C.G.S. “Ernest Lapointe” will open it soon and the Miramichi River and entrance is still fast ice, [which] we used to call board ice. (Pat 27 Apr 1959 pg 3 col 1)
Apr 27 Strait of Canso is clear, and all around the Magdalen Islands clear. … The steamer track by Strait of Canso is in very good condition. (Pat 27 Apr 1959 pg 3 cols 1&2)
Apr 27 There is heavy ice on the west coast of Newfoundland from Flowers Cove to Port aux Basques, … Conditions should improve on the west coast of Newfoundland with favourable weather very fast. (Pat 27 Apr 1959 pg 3 cols 1&2)
Apr 27 Corner Brook is obstructed by heavy ice. The C.G.S. “Labrador” is assisting shipping in that vicinity. (Pat 27 Apr 1959 pg 3 cols 1&2)
Apr 27 … and the steamer track by Cabot Strait is in very good condition. The only thing that would annoy shipping in the Cabot Strait area would be, northeast wind for a length of time. (Pat 27 Apr 1959 pg 3 col 2)
Apr 27 There are still some loose floes off Scatarie and Flint Island. (Pat 27 Apr 1959 pg 3 col 2)
Apr 27 Capt. Brown [ice information officer, Marine Branch, D.O.T.] considers that 1959, should be about [an] average [year for ice to clear out of the Gulf of St. Lawrence]. (Pat 27 Apr 1959 pg 3 col 2)
Apr 28 MV “Fergus” arrived in Charlottetown yesterday. (Pat 28 Apr p1 c1)
Apr 29 Motor vessel “Brian” arrived in Charlottetown harbour. (Pat 29 Apr p2 c1)
Apr 30 Lobster season opens, no mention of ice. (Pat 30 Apr p1 c5)