Above normal +1 (M).
A large volume. (GR).
At Ferryland, no journal for that year, but thought to be the same as any other with drift ice arriving about Feb 6th and clearing out by Apr 1. (JW in GR).
Large masses of ice in Trinity bay, Jun 23rd. On Jun 17th the Labrador fleet had to harbour on account of the ice off Groais Islands. (GR).
The winters of 1861-62 … .. were confessedly severe in the extreme [and this one] almost unprecedented (from Sailing Directions for the island of Newfoundland 1873). (#837).
The ice continued firm in the bays and harbours of the two coasts until Jul 12th, it was very frosty until late in July. Soil not workable until this time. (CH in GR).
24 vessels lost in the ice on spring seal hunt. (FGMM).
Spring: A wind blew on shore for 52 days driving the seals into Green Bay. Similar occurrences became known as the “Green Bay Spring”. (JEC).
One ship held fast in the ice for 12 days was carried from St. Anthony to Cape Race before getting clear. (GW).
January/February
Jan 23-24 SS [tpt] “Magdalena” left St. John’s Jan 22, passed a great quantity of drift ice and a number of bergs, arrived Spithead, Feb 2. (LL).
Jan 28-29 SS “Hope” from Liverpool to New York saw much field ice and on 29th great quantities of field ice. (LL).
Jan 31 Issue: RMS “Ospray” put into Bay Bulls being unable to come into St. John’s by reason of ice. (arrived Feb 3). (PL).
Feb 7 Halifax: SS “Adriatic” frozen in at Sydney. (LL).
Feb 10-12 SS “Teutonia” from Hamburg to New York 47N 47W fell in with large ice fields; next day, no open water was to be seen, and at times she could hardly force her way through the ice; 12th, 80m WSW of Cape Race, she passed several large bergs. (LL).
Feb 12 SS “City of Washington” for Liverpool 45N 51W passed a large berg, apparently aground. (LL).
Feb 13 SS “Parana” at Portsmouth from Halifax Feb 1, reports that St. John’s was blocked up with ice. (LL).
Feb 13 Harbour Grace: The “True Blue” from Liverpool to Heart’s Content was unable to get there for ice, and having put into St. John’s with loss of sails, foreyard sprung and damage to the hull, was towed around here, Feb 11.(LL).
Feb 14 “Thomas Jefferson” from New York to Liverpool 43N 49W fell in with a large number of icebergs and at midnight was surrounded by field ice. (SCL).
Feb 20 Issue: Notice of “Ice off Cape Race”, Admiralty 19th Feb: Sir, I have to command you by command of my lordes commissioners of the Admiralty, that their lordships have received a communication from the Senior Naval Officer at Halifax, dated 5th Feb., stating that by telegram from Newfoundland it is recommended that all vessels should pass to the southward of Sable Island, in consequence of the immense quantity of ice and bergs off Cape Race. And an allowance should be made for currents in the neighbourhood of that island, they should give it a good berth. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, W.G. Romaine. (LL).
Feb 22 “Dreadnought” from New York to Liverpool passed through fields of ice off the Banks. (LL).
Feb 22 “Curlew” for Harbour Grace put back to St. John’s on account of contrary winds and the ice on the coast. (LL).
Feb 23 SS “Etna” from Liverpool to New York 45N 48W sailed 30m along a field of heavy ice. (LL).
Feb 27 SS “Edinburgh” from New York to Liverpool 43N 49W passed bergs and field ice. (LL).
Feb 27 The “Ospray” jammed in the ice off Cape Race. (PL).
March
Mar 1 SS “Ospray” was driven ashore by the ice in Trepassey Harbour. (Newf.).
Mar 1 SS “Adriatic” left Sydney for England but put back with floats and stern damaged by ice. (LL).
Mar 1 SS “City of New York” saw large quantities of ice and was compelled to stop her engines till daylight. She then proceeded and rounded the southern edge of a field of heavy ice which extended ~40m from 45N 49W to 44N 49W. (LL).
Mar 9 SS “Plantagenet” from Liverpool to New York passed large quantities of field ice and several bergs from Flemish Cap to Cape Breton Is. (LL).
Mar 12 St. John’s: SS “Osprey” left Trepassey Feb 22 for St. John’s, was in the ice near the latter place so near the shore that she could be communicated with across the ice. (LL).
Mar 13 SS “Ospray” arrived St. John’s having been detained by ice at Trepassey. (Newf.)
Mar 13 St. John’s: SS “Ospray” from Halifax which was driven on shore by the ice at Trepassy [sic] harbour Mar 9, got off yesterday without damage and arrived here today. (LL).
Mar 14 St. John’s: The “Marion Ridley” from Cadiz which sailed hence Feb 23 for Harbour Grace is supposed to be in the ice somewhere in Conception Bay. The sealing vessels which sailed hence Mar 11 and 12 are to be seen from here jammed in the ice. (LL).
Mar 14 News received that SS “Osprey” is in the ice off Cape Race. (LL). Mar 19-24 SS “Saxonia” for New York 48N 49W passed several large bergs. On the following day came across some drift ice, and later in the day it became so packed that she could only proceed at the rate of 4 mph all night. On the 21st, saw a brig under sail, ~6m distant, apparently in clearer water, but could not get near her in consequence of the heavily packed ice. On the 22nd could make but very little headway, and was obliged often to stop, in order to keep the screw clear of the large blocks of ice. About noon a man came over the ice and reported his vessel to be the “Calpey” (?) from Lisbon to Harbour Grace, with salt; she had been in the ice for 8 weeks and was getting short of provisions. The “Saxonia” was then 3m from her, but could not get to her to render assistance. The man also reported that they had seen 3 or 4 vessels in the ice during the 8 weeks. On the morning of the 23rd the ice became more open, and she proceeded on her course and gradually came into open water. A dense fog was then prevailing, and the brig could not be seen. On the morning of the 24th got entirely out of the ice, having been detained in it 4 days and 3 hours [dated New York, Mar 28]. (LL).
Mar 21 Issue: Prospects for the sealing fleet are very unpromising just now, the coast being hemmed in with ice blocking the sealing vessels. Also: Ice close into the rocks at Cape Race. (PL).
Mar 24 “Belle” at Teignmouth from Harbour Grace had been 15 days in the ice which she did not clear of till 180m outside the Banks. (LL).
Mar 26 The Harbour Grace and Bay Roberts sealers getting out. The “Eliza” from Aquaforte lost her keel in the ice on May 24 and sank next day 5m off Bay Bulls. (Pl).
Mar 31 The wind from east and northeast and the ice is close around us in all directions. The SS “Ospray” which was jammed in the ice off Cape Spear for several days was still unable to clear yesterday and proceed for Halifax. (Newf.).
April
Apr 1 Issue: ice offshore as far as the eye can see. (PL).
Apr 1 New York: Accounts from St. John’s state that the harbour was completely blocked up with ice, and that a large steamer passed off that port Mar 31, forcing her way through a dense pack. (LL).
Apr 3 Halifax: Telegram from St. John’s today reports SS “Polynia” in the Bay of Bulls with severe damage and no seals. (LL).
Apr 4 Issue: News received last evening that the “Ospray” put into Trepassey, not having been able to make her way through the ice, which she encountered about 50m SW by W of Cape Race. Unable to reach St. Peters. Also, the following vessels have been lost in the ice: “Eliza”, “Roxana”, “Margaret”, “Hunter”, “Rosebud”, and “Melrose” (Mar 31). Rumoured that three other vessels have been lost. Also,
The SS “Polynia” brought into Bay Bulls on Apr 1 a portion of the crews of the “Margaret” and “Roxana”, both lost at the Ice – crews saved. The “Roxana” was lost on Mar 15 (3 days after leaving St. John’s) and the “Margaret” on Mar 29. Lots of seals in Bonavista and Green Bays but continued NE winds keep ice packed up. (PL).
Apr 5 “Shandon” from Clyde to Quebec met the ice off Cape Race and passed through 120m of it, found very little of it in the gulf. (LL).
Apr 7 The SS “Ospray”, it seems, is still stuck at Trepassey. (Newf.). Apr 8 Issue: Other vessels lost in the ice:- “Emily Tobin” (Mar 30), “Christina” (Apr 5), (of Harbour Grace, sunk off South Head of the Narrows), “Alma”, “Victoria”, “Rossiter”, “Hope”, “Jura” (Apr 5) and “Mary Anne”. Also, from the Captain of the brig “Evanthis”: left St. John’s Mar 12 and got through the ice. On the 17th took the ice 17m N of Partridge Point, White Bay. Saw 6 – 8 vessels go down in a few days including the “Emily Tobin”, “Melrose” and the “Margaret”. 28th off the Funks (ice is tightly jammed – DWP). Apr 3 off Cape St.Francis and expect to drive to Cape Race before getting clear. (PL).
Apr 8 New York: A telegram of yesterday from St. John’s states that the coast was completely jammed with ice, and that many vessels were close by with their crews starving. About 15 sealing vessels have been crushed.(LL).
Apr 9 SS “Ospray” arrived Halifax. (Newf.).
Apr 11 Issue: add to the sunk list: “Elizabeth Margaret” (Apr 6), “G.M. Johnstone” and “William Stairs”. (PL).
Apr 12 Halifax: 6 vessels jammed in the ice at Placentia Bay. (LL).
Apr 14 “George Hurlbut” from Bordeaux to New York between 43N and 42N 57W passed 23 bergs. (LL).
Apr 17 The NE wind is changing. The loss of the following vessels on Apr 13 at Baccalieu was reported yesterday by telegram: “James Henry”, “Terra Nova”, “Linda”. The Alabama was lost off Cape Bonavista. (Newf.).
Apr 17 “Dauntless” sailed St. John’s to Greenock, arrived May 3, reports the wind west and ice breaking up and driving off shore. There were numerous losses among the sealing fleet (another telegram states that 30 sealers were lost). (LL).
Apr 18 “Liverpool” at New York from London 43N 56W saw a number of large islands of ice. (LL).
Apr 21 New York: Advices from St. John’s state that the ice had entirely disappeared from the vicinity of Cape Race. (LL).
Apr 21 Foreign and local arrivals since the change of the weather. The “Matilda” long overdue from Halifax arrived there 16th having put back from this coast on Apr 6. (Newf)
Apr 21 SS “Adriatic” arrived Halifax from Sydney where she had been frozen in. (LL).
Apr 24 Poor return from the seal fishery. (Newf.). Apr 25 Issue: Four vessels belonging to Fogo crushed in the ice. Also, to the sink list: “Prince Edward”, “Terra Nova”, “Linda”, “Alabama”, “Caroline”(Apr 9), “Jessie Brown”, “Eliza”, “Antelope”, “James Henry”, “Coquette”, “Sarah”, “Cadmus”, “Mary” (Apr 13), “Princess Royal” (Apr 8), “Thomas”, “Maid of the Valley” – 32 so far. (The above dates in brackets taken from Ref #511.) (PL).
Apr 26 St. John’s: For many years past there has not been so much heavy northern ice on this coast as during the past winter and this spring; the prevailing winds have been ENE to NNE but with little westerly wind. The losses in the seal fishery this spring are greater than ever before met with, nearly 40 vessels, all insured in this colony, have been lost, and the fishery is almost a failure. The ice has cleared off this port and vessels are now able to enter and depart. Conception and Trinity Bays to the northward are also clear of ice. (LL).
Apr 26 Harbor Grace: Several vessels have arrived which have been detained by ice during the months of Mar and Apr. The “Rothsay” and the “Haidee”, both from Trapani, have sustained much damage, being very leaky, their cutwater and stems cut through and copper rubbed off and requiring extensive repairs. The “Alarm” from Lisbon at Carbonear also sustained much injury. (LL).
Apr 27-28 “Scotia” from London to Halifax fell in with great quantities of ice between Sable Is. and Cape Breton. (LL).
Apr 28 SS “Norwegian” from Portland to Londonderry 45N 61W passed 4 bergs. (LL).
Apr 28 “Corinne” at New York from Cardiff met a large number of bergs in 43N 68W to 69W. (LL).
May 4 “Helebroke” [?’ from London to Montreal passed a quantity of filed ice off St. Paul’s Is. and was detained 4 days NW of the Bird Rocks by heavy packed ice and fog; 10 sail in company at the time. (LL).
May 5 Ice very heavy off Cape North and St. Paul’s Is. (LL).
May 6-8 Heavy ice in the mouth of the gulf. (LL).
May 13 Issue: The “Camperdown”, sister ship to the “Polynia” arrived here May 9. Both vessels left the Shetland Is. Feb 1 for the spring seal fishery on our shores prior to their departure to the Arctic regions ion search of whales. The “Polynia” struck the ice on Feb 25, the “Camperdown” on the 26th. The former became jammed in Trinity Bay where she remained several weeks and eventually ended up in Bay Bulls. The “Camperdown” fell in with ice near the Funks, got frozen in the Straits of Belle Isle and finally ended up in White Bay. (PL).
— SS “Polynia” and “Camperdown” parted company nearing Cape Bacalieu and both got badly beset. The “Polnia” was drifted up Trinity Bay, within a mile of White Rock, until she was abreast of a place called Heart’s Ease. Captain Gravill risked his ship while steering through the pack to rescue wrecked schooners breaking both blades off the propeller. Fitted the one spare and another one was manufactured when they finally reached St. John’s. The “Camperdown” was beset for 6 weeks off White Bay and had also lost a propeller. The season was stated in St. John’s to be the severest since 1831 and no less than 50 sail of the Colony’s sealers and fishermen were lost in the ice. (BL).
May 13 The “North America” reports no field ice but numerous icebergs between St. Pierre and Cape Race. (PL).
May 14 “Pioneer” from Hull to Quebec foundered after striking a berg off Cape Race the day before. Some cargo saved by the “Blue Jacket”. (LL).
May 16 St. John’s: The weather is fine. The icebergs have been much scattered by the late severe gales. (LL).
May 19 The schooner “Annie McKie”, from PEI spoke, off Cape Race, the ship “Baron Clyde” of and from Liverpool to Quebec, which vessel had her bow sprit, fore top gallant mast and head gear carried away having run against an iceberg [in dense fog May 17 in 47N 55W – LL]. (PL).
Jun 13 SS “Africa” at Boston from Liverpool struck heavily near Cape Race on the ice or the bottom and broke off 17′ of her rudder close up to the brace. (LL).
Sailing sealers “Mary Ann”, “Alma”, “Hope”, and “Rossiter” out of Greenspond lost at seal fishery. (NW).