1961 Season
December
Dec 30 Irving Oil Co. tanker “Irvingdale” arrived in Charlottetown this morning…coastal tanker “Seekonk” had freed herself from the ice in Pictou Harbour. Charlottetown – the pilot boat was unable to operate in the ice. The tanker “Imperial Halifax” is scheduled to arrive January 3rd and will probably close out the shipping season at the port of Charlottetown. (Pat 30 Dec p2 c4)
January
Jan 10 Two German Shepherd dogs had apparently been gambolling on the harbour ice, both plunged through. (Pat 10 Jan p2 c4)
Jan 29 Souris – SS “Tosca” was expected to sail from Souris last night. (Pat 30 Jan p3 c2)
February
March
April
May
May 1 ice conditions between Wood Islands and Caribou appear to have worsened; winds had resulted in the Strait again becoming completed blocked. Worsening ice conditions are reported on the Borden-Cape Tormentine route, winds piling ice off the New Brunswick shore. (Pat 1 May p1 c5)
May 2 ice extends from the tip of Cape Breton across the Gulf past the Magdalene Islands in the Bay of Chaleur. (Pat 2 May p1 c7)
May 3 “Abegweit” to delay refit until ice conditions ease. (Pat 3 May p3 c4)
May 5 Winds clearing out the ice on the Tormentine side but it is packed in on the Borden side. (Pat 5 May p1 c1)
May 5 Canoe Cove on the south shore: the ice the worst in many years had already delayed the opening date (Lobster season). (Pat 5 May p3 c4)
May 5 An ice packed island, the Gulf is full, the Strait is full. (Pat 5 May p4 c1)
May 9 The whole of the southern portion of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait are completely choked with heavy ice. (Pat 9 May p1 c4)
May 11 The ice line has shifted just slightly south and its northern edge is now in almost a direct line from the northern tip of Cape Breton Island across the Gulf, just slightly below the line from the Magdalene Islands to Shippegan, New Brunswick. Official report predicts relief by end of May. (Pat 11 May p1 c8)
May 15 Ice conditions in the southern half of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait are loosening up some, it still remains very heavy. At Morell, ice holding about a mile and a half off shore. North Rustico, ice is extremely heavy offshore. Alberton, ice is solid on shore. Montague, ice moved in again last night. (Pat 15 May p1 c8)
May 16 Ice off Souris, North Rustico – ice moved off today, Alberton & Tignish are still ice bound. Two Souris dragges have been caught since early morning in ice off Cape George, Nova Scotia … were surrounded by ice 12 miles NE of Cape George light. (Pat 16 May p1 c3)
May 17 North Rustico … ice this morning was standing well off shore. Alberton & Tignish … remain tight in the grip of ice. (Pat 17 May p1 c6)
May 18 Alberton & Tignish – ice plugs the harbours almost solid. North Rustico – ice in the area is said to be having about ½ mile from shore. Montague – light ice conditions. (Pat 18 May p1 c4)
May 20 Ice has packed in more solid than before at Alberton and Tignish. North Rustico – there does not appear to be any great shoreward movement of the ice. (Pat 20 May p1 c4)
May 21 Wood Islands-Caribou ferry opening of the service on May 21st. (Pat 1 May p1 c1)
May 23 North Rustico – ice filled the fishing area. Morell – no ice is visible in the area. Souris – little ice visible in the area. Montague – ice situation greatly improved. (Pat 23 May p1 c8)
May 24 Ice said to be as heavy as at any time during the winter. Extremely heavy ice believed to be the same that has blocked Alberton and Tignish since the opening of the season (lobster) began moving down the Gulf toward Cape Breton. Naufrage & North Lake … are also icing in solid. (Pat 24 May p1 c7)
May 26 Fishermen of Tignish and Alberton not in the water yet. Morrell – ice piled onto the beach. (Pat 26 May p1 c4)
May 27 Two Irving Oil Co. tankers arrived in Charlottetown today. (Pat 27 May p3 c1)
May 29 Tignish – Alberton area … the ice that has blocked the fishing grounds since the official opening date of the season finally moved out over the weekend. Fisheries Minister … there is still heavy ice in the Gulf. Ice is lying about 15 miles off shore on the north side of the Province. The ice stretches to about 30 miles this side of the Magdalene Islands. (Pat 29 May p1 c5)
May 30 Souris reports that ice is about 15 miles offshore. (Pat 30 May 1961 p1 c3)