Charts 1810 – 1829

1812

1812
Mar 19 A ship arrival. (RG).
Apr 2 A ship, a brig and a schooner were seen in the offing for several days past but the ice prevented their reaching this port. The brig “Herald” for this port arrived Trepassey 24 days from Greenock. Papers brought here Mar 3. (RG).
Apr 9 Ship arrivals. (RG).
Apr 16 Brig “Mercury” arrived from Greenock after a passage of 46 days. Two days previous to making the ice the Captain was washed overboard. (RG).
Apr 16 Brig “Charles” left Liverpool Mar 18 and on 26th fell in with ice accompanied with a heavy swell which forced her with such violence against it that her planks were started and she began to settle. The Captain and crew (8 in number) had scarcely time to quit the vessel when she instantly went down, leaving them nothing to subsist on except seals and ice. – In this deplorable situation they continued for 19 days, 14 of which they were among the ice; during this time the chief mate, the 2nd mate and 3 men died, the Captain, 1 man and a boy (the only survivors) were picked up by the schooner “Margaret” from Halifax and brought in here this morning in a most pitiable state. (RG).
Letter from Lieutenant D. Buchan, commander of HM Schooner “Adonis” to Sir John Duckworth, Admiral of the Blue dated:
Apr 26 “Duke of Kent” lost in the ice near the Magdalen Is. (LL).
May 14 “.. a long continuance of easterly winds have so bound the coast with Ice, as to have rendered it impracticable to proceed thither ..” Intended destination M(N)orton’s Cove, central point to Cape John and the Wadham Islands. Mentions in a letter of Jun 10 of ice hampering work in Hay Harbour Tickle.
May 29 Issue: The “Charles” from Liverpool to Newfoundland is lost in the ice. Only 3 men saved. (LL).
Jun 27 “.. extreme lateness of spring delayed my departure from St.John’s until 8th inst. making it 2 months later than I had anticipated, even at that protracted period it was with difficulty that the schooner penetrated the field ice to Trinity Bay when finally heavy ice forming a complete jam to Cape Bonavista, I bore up to Trinity but found that harbour blocked proceeded to Heart’s Content..” Among ice to Cape Freels and Funk Islands. A brig had been 30 leagues to the northward of the Funks without reaching the end of the ice. (#575).
Jun 30 Issue: The “Graces” from Greenock to Newfoundland and New Brunswick having met with damage by the ice must be repaired at Newfoundland. (LL).
Jul 7 Issue: The “Mary” of Dartmouth from Capeling is lost in the ice. (LL).
Jul 7 Issue: The “Thomas” stove her bows in the ice and sunk in the Narrows of St.John’s harbour. (LL).

1813

1814

1814
From the Gazette, seems to be irregular arrivals, but there is no mention of ice.
Great damage and heavy losses (summary of annual seal fishery RG 24 Apr 1849).
There is no mention of ice off Newfoundland in LL [mainly naval encounters].

1815

1815
Indifferent voyages, – immense losses on fish (summary of annual seal fishery RG 24 Apr 1849).
Feb 23 Hitherto, the winter has been unusually severe. -The harbour has been frozen over for this 3 weeks past, and the ice is now upwards of a foot thick; the several vessels that have arrived were obliged to have a channel sawed, to admit their entry into the harbour. Arrivals from England, West Indies and Nova Scotia and departures for same plus Spain and Portugal during the past and present month, a fact we believe heretofore unprecedented. We have no doubt that in a few years we should enjoy, throughout the 12 months, an uninterrupted communication between this country and Europe. (RG).
May 7 Brig “Benjamin” from Poole to Trinity struck a pan of ice and bilged. Crew took to the boats and ice. Boat got into Bay Bulls, others picked up. (RG).
May 11 Transport ship “Henry” arrived from Portsmouth for Quebec sailing Apr 7. Could not get in the Gulf due to quantity of ice so put to St. John’s. (RG).
May 11 The “Vigilant” from Liverpool to Newfoundland was totally lost in the ice near St. John’s. Crew saved. [see 18th]. (LL).
May 12 Schooner “Fanny” from Bay Bulls for St. John’s stove against a pan of ice off the harbour and filled with water (buoyant cargo so towed to Petty Harbour). (RG).
May 14 Ship “Suwarrow” [Sparrow?] from Liverpool for Trinity struck against a heavy piece of ice in a violent gale of wind, about 4 leagues to the eastward of that place and foundered a short time afterwards. Crew saved. (RG).
May 18 Brig “Vigilante” from Liverpool on entering this harbour on the 16th was driven by the ice against North-head where she bilged and shortly after went down. (RG).

1816

1816
Royal Gazette issues missing from Jan 11 to Jul 16.
During the spring and summer of 1816, climatic and sea-ice conditions in northern Labrador were among the most severe ever recorded. However, farther south in Newfoundland, conditions were by no means as severe, and may have have been near nineteenth century normals. (JPN).
Apr 1 The “Chevy Chase” spoke the “Rubicon”, Haskell, from Boston to St. Petersburg in 4238’N 4752’W with bows stove by ice and returning to first port. (LL).
May 30 The “Sarah” spoke brig “Commerce” from Liverpool to Boston, out 48 days [i.e. left Apr ~12] in 4223’N 55W and had been 3 days in the ice on the Grand Bank. (LL).
Jul 16 “Jemima”, Mission ship, met ice a full 200m from the [Labrador] coast and was eventually fully enclosed by it. Took another 49 days to reach Okak, after which it fully choked the coast. Appears to be a cold year in Europe also. (EW).
Aug 31 Ship “Jones” from St. Petersburg to New York in 4650’N 4754’W saw an island of ice from 1 to 1½m long and 50′ to 70′ high. (M9).

1817

1818

1818
Of 1818 it says – Anspach p.274 – the beginning of 1818 was remarkable for the intense frost during the months Jan – Mar with great severity. On Feb 10 the harbour of St.John’s was frozen over below C[h]ain Rocks to a considerable thickness. (from Public Ledger 17 March 1863).
Jan – Feb Brig “Anne” sailed from Greenspond 19 Jan. and in the evening encountered several floating islands of ice. On the following morning, the ship was so completely enveloped in ice that there appeared no means of escape. The ice rose about 14′ above the water; it drifted SE and bore the ship along with it for 29 consecutive days. On Feb 17 being 300m E of Cape Race in 4437’N perceived an opening to the SE and successfully disengaged. From Jan 29 to Feb 3, the brig made only 4m per day and during the 29 days saw near 100 very extensive mountains of compact ice. [This is from WCR who gives the year as 1821. This appears to be wrong. M9 allocates it with another report to 1818 and from all accounts 1818 was a bad year – nothing so far for 1821].
Jan~16 Brig “Anne” of Poole left Greenspond and entered ice the same evening and got clear Feb 17 in 4437’N and about 300m to the SE of Cape Race through the only opening in the horizon from E to SE. Shut in 29 days and passed more than 100 large islands of the solid blue ice known to traders as Greenland Ice. (M9).
Jan 17 On the 17th day of the same month, January 1818, the brig “Funchal” of Greenock sailed from St.John’s. At about 15m to the westward fell in with a field of ice coming down from the northward about 8m in breadth and extending to the northward beyond the reach of sight. Having cleared this and proceeding westerly about 250m, on the 20th in 4730’N encountered a still more extensive field floating to the westward with an immense iceberg in its midst. Cleared this, not without difficulty, and proceeded to Scotland with rain, sleet and snow the whole way. (M9).
Feb 6 “Assistance” see May 28 below.
Feb 10 The frost during the last and present months has been intense. The harbour is frozen over below Chain Rocks to so great a thickness that several vessels are detained 10 days. Inhabitants, who have now to experience the same melancholy scene with which this distressed town was afflicted last winter, while every effort to relieve their wants were rendered abortive by the extensive barriers of ice which surrounded the coast. The American brig “Mercury” was cut out to the edge of the ice 2 days ago (put into Bay Bulls that night and sailed on the 14th). (RG).
Feb 13 American brig “Messenger” [cf. RG] sailed on the 8th, she was unfortunately detained a long time owing to the severity of the weather, being repeatedly frozen up after her passage had been cut through the ice. By the great exertions now making the vessels in port, bound out, we presume, will soon be relieved from the ice which detains them, the channel cut on Wednesday [11th] was frozen over yesterday morning, so as to bear a number of persons, so severe was the cold of the preceding night. There have been no arrivals for some weeks past nor indeed could it be expected in such inclement weather. (NMJ).
Mar 3 Great exertions are now being made to cut a channel through the ice 3′ – 4′ thick in order to let the vessels long detained by the severity of the weather get under way during the current mild spell. (RG).
Mar 7 Several vessels sailed. (RG).
Mar 13 The remains of the late governor were taken aboard HM Sloop “Fly” which will sail as soon as she can possibly be extricated from the ice; this has been found an arduous task for several hundred men employed every day (when the weather would permit) since the 25th ultimo; the ice is from 3′ to 5′ thick and the distance to cut the channel, about 1m, the severity of the frost this season exceeds that of any winter known to the oldest inhabitants. (NMJ).
Mar 14 American sloop “Alert” with provisions for St. John’s frozen up at Pope’s Harbour [Nova Scotia ?]. (NMJ).
Mar 31 Brig “Nancy” which sailed from St. John’s 24th struck the ice the same evening and stove in her bows in consequence of which she was obliged to bear up for Bay Bulls. [according to NMJ].
May 8, “Nancy” sprung a leak 180m off the land and crew succeeded in getting her into Renews in a sinking condition Apr 3.] (RG).
Apr 10 First arrivals – obviously some distress again in St. John’s. (NMJ).
Apr 21 Issue: The “Grace” Packet arrived from NY, in 42N fell in with an island of ice 7 leagues in extent and upwards of 3,000′ high. !.
May 8 A report in town that many sealing schooners are lost in Bonavista Bay being caught between the ice and the shore in a heavy gale of wind. (NMJ).
May 28 Schooner “Assistance” left Halifax Feb 3 and made Cape St. Mary’s 3 days later when she got surrounded by ice and remained in that condition till her arrival at St. Mary’s this day. (NMJ).
Jun 18 “Chesapeake” from New York to Amsterdam was spoken to in 4251’N 4317’W; had run foul of an island of ice on 16th and carried away her bowsprit, foremast, the head of her mainmast, maintopmast and lost the chief mate overboard. (LL).
(Royal Gazette issues missing from Apr 14, 1818 to end of 1827)

1819

1819
Mission ship “Harmony” had a difficult and hazardous first voyage and did not reach her first port, Okak till Aug 20. “The coast was everywhere choked up with ice, and the wind, blowing continually from the sea, and forcing it directly into every bay and inlet. EW
Feb 4 A ship in the offing but because of contrary winds bore up for Bay Bulls [probably the “Gleanor”]. (NMJ).
Mar 2 Brig “Gleanor” sailed from Bay Bulls, winds veered and vessel must have been in perilous situation between ice and shore. A gale on 2nd and 3rd caused the ice to be broken up as high as HMS “Tamar”. (NMJ).
Apr 19 The “Camilla” from Lisbon to Quebec was lost in the ice off Cape Breton. (LL).
Apr 24 “Heart of Oak” from London to Quebec was lost in the ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Crew saved. (LL).
Apr 24 “William and Ann” of Blyth, the “Sarah” of Shields” and the “Caledonia” of Scotland were lost in the ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Others were driven ashore. (LL).
(seems to have been some arrivals throughout winter).
May 25 First steamship to cross the Atlantic was the “Savanna”, Moses Rogers, built at New York 1818, left Savanna May 25, 1819, anchored Liverpool 25 Jun, left Jul 23 arrived Cronstadt Oct 6. (M9).

1820

1820
Several losses, great damage (summary of annual seal fishery RG 24 Apr 1849).
Feb 3 Issue: No drift ice has yet come down from the bays and harbours situated to the northward. (NMJ).
Apr 5 Schooner “Mary” of Harbour Grace put in here from the ice where she received much damage in a gale of the 2nd. Sealers have experienced much bad weather on the ice. (NMJ).
Apr 20 Accounts from the ice are very unfavourable due to stormy weather, several vessels have been wrecked and some totally lost, many others obliged to put in for repair with very few seals. No locations but mentions vessels from Greenspond and out of Harbour Grace 5 weeks putting in to St. John’s.
Apr 23 Schooner “Margaret” of Conception Bay while on a sealing voyage struck against the ice and bilged; part of the crew after being several days in a small boat were picked up by the brig “Merope” of Poole and carried into Passamaquoddy; the captain and remainder perished. ( LL).
Apr 27 We have not been favoured with any arrivals since our last, nor can we expect any, until we have a change of wind to clear the coast of ice [though seems to have been a few but frequent arrivals till this date -and arrivals continued the next week]. (NMJ),
May — “Ann”[?] 4230’N 4330’W passed a number of icebergs of large dimensions. ( LL).
May — The “Thompson” of Workington was lost in the ice near Miramachi. (LL).
May 5 Brig “Merope” arrived St. Andrews [?] with part of the crew of the schooner “Margaret” of Conception Bay stove by the ice – some fatalities. (NMJ).
May 5 (from St. John’s): 7 schooners belonging to this port and several from the out-harbours, engaged in the seal fishery, have been lost this season. (LL).
May 8 (from St. John’s): The ice which had obstructed the navigation on this coast for some weeks past, opened up on 2nd instant, when several vessels came in and others have continued to arrive daily. (LL).
May 9 (from St. John’s): The weather has been very tempestuous this spring which has caused a great failing in the seal fishery, many schooners have been lost … . (LL).
May 13 “Jane” from Savannah to Liverpool fell in with an island of ice in 4130’N 5116’W. ( LL).
May 14 or 15 Ship “Rose” from Jamaica to Liverpool in 4410’N 5015’W with loss of bowsprit and very leaky having run foul of an ice berg in thick fog and was bearing up for the nearest port [St. John’s]. (LL).
May 16 The “Elizabeth” from Para to Liverpool 4516’N 4916’W saw several islands of ice. (LL).
Jun 1 The “Emily” at Liverpool from Savannah Apr 27 was surrounded by large fields of ice on the Banks of Newfoundland for 7 days. (LL).
Jun 27 Issue: The “Mercury” arrived at Liverpool from Boston; May 12 was in 47N 3630’W; on the 9th saw several large islands of ice. (LL).
Jun 30 Issue: The following schooners were wrecked at Newfoundland in April: “Sophia”, “Four Brothers”, “Elizabeth”, “Star” and “Betsy”. (LL).

1821

1821
The weather has, of late, been favourable and the coast clear of ice. (NMJ).
Apr 20 The “Anna Maria” from New York to Liverpool in 4530’N 45W fell in with several islands of ice, one of which she struck against, but not to receive any damage. ( LL).

1822

1822
Immense trips, only one small vessel lost (summary of annual seal fishery RG 24 Apr 1849).
Feb 28 Brig observed from St. John’s bound NE. Ice not mentioned. (NMJ).
Mar 7 The brig which last week we noticed proved to be the “Eagle” from Jamaica to Conception Bay which she was prevented from entering that day by a quantity of ice she met with off Cape St. Francis, and which took her far to the northward before she could get clear of it; got in Mar 2. (NMJ).
Mar 11 Brig “Norval” from Oporto 25 days arrived, giving proof that fast sailing vessels and persevering masters can get in at this time of year before the ice. (NMJ).
Apr 17 The “Ceres” from Belfast to Philadelphia, ~7 eastward of the Banks of Newfoundland, a very large island of ice; and on the 20th 8 am saw several more – 14 in sight at one time and in the afternoon 22 ice islands. (LL).
Apr 22 Brig “Rover” wrecked at Cape Race in fog and no ice mentioned. (NMJ).
(seems to be regular arrivals during winter and seal fishery seems OK)
Apr 30 Vessel sunk by ice off the Magdalen Is. (LL).
May 14 Brig “Favorite” from St. John’s to Barbados in 4337N ran foul of an island of ice in heavy sea and thick fog carrying away bowsprit and foremast, arrived St. John’s Apr 25th. (NMJ).
May 20 The “Fox” Packet at Halifax from Falmouth fell in with on the Banks of Newfoundland, particularly in 4316’N 4920’W immense bodies of ice. (LL).
Jun 9 The “William and Henry” arrived at Cork from Cuba, saw 2 ice bergs, one of them was 180′ above the level of the sea. (LL).
Jul 25 Ship “Liverpool” 43N 49W lost, presumably hit berg. (WCRM).
Jul 25 The new Packet ship “Liverpool sailed from New York for Liverpool Jul 16 and on 25th in 4350’N 48W during a very thick fog, ran foul of an island of ice, and going at the time 7 mph, she carried away her bowsprit and cutwater and being otherwise damaged below water, she went down in ~2 hours, notwithstanding both pumps were kept going. The crew and passengers, 36 in number, took to their boats and reached St. John’s Aug 1 in safety. ( LL).
Sep — Capt. Couthouy [Conthony – M9] saw an iceberg aground on the eastern edge of the Grand Bank in 4318’N 4830’W. (WCR).
Sep 13 Issue: 7 whalers lost in Davis Strait. (LL).

1923

1823
Great damage and few seals (summary of annual seal fishery RG 24 Apr 1849).
Jan 30 The schooner “Speculator” for Portugal will sail this afternoon if the ice permits her. (Did, in fact, sail). (NMJ).
Apr 3 Does not appear to be any arrivals until Mar 28. Mention of 5 sealing vessels arrived St. John’s to repair damages sustained in the ice during the late gales. (NMJ).
Apr 10 “Providence” only sealer arrival since our last, with bows stove. Left the ice 40m SSE of Baccalieu. (NMJ).
Apr 17 List of 20 sealers arrived, most putting in for repair due to the damage sustained. (last issue for that year). (NMJ).
Apr 20 The “Vesta” from Poole to Carbonear was lost ~100m off Cape St. Francis, occasioned by striking against a piece of ice and almost immediately went down. The crew took to their boats and were fallen in with 30 hours afterwards by the “Elizabeth” of Harbour Grace on a sealing voyage and eventually landed at Musquito. (LL).
Jun 20 Issue: The schooner “John” has been lost in the ice at Newfoundland. (LL).
May 3 The “Mary Ann” from Liverpool to Quebec was lost in the ice in 47N 58W; 1 man drowned. Master and crew took to their boat and rescued next morning by ship “Princess of Wales”. (LL).
May 6 “Mountstone” was lost on an iceberg on her passage to Newfoundland from Plymouth. Picked up by passing ship on 14th by which time 7 of the 10 had died. (M9).
May 6 The “Mount Stone” from Plymouth to St. John’s struck a pan of ice in 4610’N 4330’W and bilged. The crew and passengers, 10 in number quitted her in the boat, without provisions or water, which was picked up on the 14th, with only 3 survivors and landed at Burin. One is since dead, the master is very ill but expected to recover, and the life of the 3rd is despaired of. (LL).
May 14 “Lord Wellington” of Whitby struck upon an iceberg in ~44N 52W and having 8′ water in her hold was abandoned by the crew, 19 in number who were picked up by the “Thompson” Packet of Dumfries and landed at Pictou. (LL).
May 18 The “Othello” from Bordeaux to New York 42N 4730’W passed within 8′ of an island of ice 400′ high; passed also in 42N, for 2 days, several islands of ice. (LL).
Jul 21 The “Willing Mind” struck a large piece of ice on the coast of Newfoundland and was totally lost with her cargo. (LL).

1924

1824
Almost total failure; all shut up in bays the whole spring (summary of annual seal fishery RG 24 Apr 1849).
Mar 18 Seems to be regular arrivals, and by yesterday 47 sealing vessels cleared out. (no issues thereafter till May 13. Quite a few incidents mentioned in Marine News columns but none mention ice). (NMJ).
Apr 19 (from Quebec): The lake ice made its appearance on Thursday last, it has now all passed and the river perfectly clear. (LL).
May 1 The “Alpha” on the seal fishery at Newfoundland was forced by a body of ice upon Flat Rock, near Torbay, and totally lost. Crew saved. (LL).
May 3 (from Quebec): The “Europa” from London arrived 1st reports that the Gulf and River are clear of ice. (LL).
May 18 (from St.John’s): The vessels lately arrived from England have met with very boisterous weather and nearly the whole of them sustained more or less damage. (LL).
May 25 Issue: The “Jane and Martha” (sealing vessel) is lost at Newfoundland [no mention of ice]. (LL).
Jun 25 Issue: The “Mary”, sealing vessel, is lost in the ice on the coast of Newfoundland. Crew saved. (LL).
Jun 25 Issue: The “Hope”, sealing vessel, is lost in the ice at Newfoundland. ( LL).
Aug 15 “Esk”, Greenland whaler at Whitby says the country was very clear of ice. (LL).

1925

1825
Bad spring and much damage, yet first great trip ever brought (summary of annual seal fishery RG 24 Apr 1849).
Mar 20 The “Alexander” from Liverpool to Philadelphia 3842’N[!] 4649’W fell in with numerous islands of ice and did not clear them until Apr 8 in 4226’N 5026’W. (LL).
Apr 14 (from Quebec): The ice on the St. Lawrence opposite to this city, which had been stationary since Feb 3, move off on the 12th inst. and the river is now clear and the north shore for some time before. (LL).
Apr 25 Brig “Iris” from Liverpool ran foul of an Island of Ice in 43N on the Banks doing damage. (SCL).
May 7 Vessel lost in the ice off the Magdalen Is. (LL).
May 14 Issue: Brig “Adriana” struck the ice off St. John’s and filled barely making it to port. SCL

1926

1826
A good voyage (summary of annual seal fishery RG 24 Apr 1849).
Does not appear to be any arrivals from early Feb to late Mar, in NMJ
Mission ship “Harmony” had a dangerous voyage made difficult by a quantity of ice which beset the coast of Labrador to a distance of nearly 400m. (EW).
Mar 12 Between 42N and 44N the “Ajax” from Wiscosset, New England toward London entered thick pack ice and bergs and estimated sailed through 300m of pack ice at times thick enough to get out and walk on. Position taken while in the pack gave 4430’N 43W, also many icebergs. (M9).
Apr 9 Brig “Edward” from Havre for Charleston put into Portland with loss of cutwater having run foul of ice near the Grand Bank. (SCL).
Apr~12 “William and Henry” or “Bowditch” Liverpool/New York 43N 50W fell in with several islands of ice. (LL).
Apr 15 French corvette (spoken to by “Acosta” arrived in the River from New York) from the West Indies to Havre was surrounded by ice several days in the middle of April on the eastern edge of the Banks, during which time he saw the larboard bow of an American bright waisted ship with a billet head, supposed to be a ship of 300 tons and appeared to have been some time in that situation. (LL).
Apr 17-18 The “Janet” from Honduras to Clyde 42N 49-44W passed through a number of ice bergs of considerable size. (LL).
Apr 25 The “Philip Tabb” from Liverpool to Baltimore fell in with 9 islands of ice, 100′ to 150′ above the horizon and one of them ~½m in length. (LL).
Apr 27 Issue: Schooner “Speedwell” of St. John’s foundered in gale Apr 11 and crew picked up on 13th by vessel from Greenspond and taken into there. No mention of ice but she had 700 seals on board. Schooner “Belisarius” was stove on Apr 11. Crew took to boats and reached King’s Cove in Bonavista Bay 5 days later. No mention of ice but had 200 seals on board. (NMJ).
Apr 28 “Corinthian” at New York from Liverpool was between 51N and 45N and 46W surrounded by ice bergs. (LL).
Apr 28 “Phoenix” at New York from Havre saw a number of ice bergs on the Banks of Newfoundland. (LL).
May 2 (from St. John’s): Both the “Speedwell” and “Belisarius” mentioned, but no ice. (LL).
May 15 (from Quebec): The Gulph [sic] is entirely free of ice. (LL).
Jun 6 Issue: “Herald” from St. John, NB spoken to in 46N 22W very leaky having been among the ice on the Banks. (LL).
Jun 7 (Spoken to): “Mary” of St. John’s for Halifax 44N 42W saw large islands of ice the whole extent of the Banks, weather extremely cold and foggy. (LL).
Jun 29 “Carshalton Park” met berg in 49 42’W and lost sight of ice when bearing SW 3 or 4 m in 4213’N 4944’W. (M9).
Jul/Aug HMS “Ringdove” from New York passed an immense iceberg on the Banks. (M9).

1927

1827
A good voyage (summary of annual seal fishery RG 24 Apr 1849).
Feb 15 An incident offshore St.John’s with no mention of ice. (NMJ).
Mar 11 Brig “Providence” in ice off Harbour Grace. (PL).
Apr 3 Issue: Schooner “Fox” from Carbonear returned Mar 30 with 3,000 seals. Fell in with ice Mar 17 and left in on the 24th. (PL).
Apr 3 Issue: We are yet without any arrivals from Europe, although 3 or 4 vessels are believed due for Great Britain, a circumstance from which we infer an accumulation of ice to the south eastward. (PL).
Apr 5 Schooner “Hollyhock” arrived 4th after successful trip. Left St John’s Mar 16 and fell in with ice 17th and by 22nd was completely filled [with seals] – she left the ice some distance to the eastward of Cape Frills [sic]. Weather particularly favourable for fishery. (NMJ).
Apr 5 Brig “Eclipse” arrived 20 days from Viana having been in the ice 3 or 4 days and found it necessary to run down to 44°N to get clear. (PL).
Apr 6 Issue: Seal fishery remarkably promising. (PL).
Apr 24 “Great Britain” at New York 43N several islands of ice, many of which were very large. ( LL).
Apr 27 Ship “Great Britain” 4240’N 48W fell in with 14 islands of ice some of which were very large, from Liverpool to New York. The ship “Pacific” was 3 days among the ice 42 – 49W and passed more than 100 islands (May 9 issue). (SCL).
Seems to be fairly regular arrivals and departures from NMJ
MG478 Thomas Gaylor Bonavista Occurrences Book too difficult to skim. Seems to be too localised to give a fair impression of conditions. However, for April there was frequent mention of vessels and men in from the ice with seals. (#478).
May 7 The “Pacific” at New York [from Liverpool ?] between 42°N and 46°N and 48W and 49W passed upwards of 100 islands of ice. (LL).
May 14 Carbonear: “Active” schooner is arrived from the seal fishery with the crews of 3 sealing schooners belonging to Brigus, which were lost in the ice. (LL).
Aug — Capt. Couthouy [Conthony -M9, or perhaps Couthony -SCL] while crossing the Banks in 4630’N 48W passed within less than a mile of a large stranded iceberg. (WCR).

1928

1828
Bad fishery (summary of annual seal fishery RG 24 Apr 1849).
Feb 1 Brig “Marnhull” put back having met with a strong easterly wind and considerable obstruction from the ice. (PL).
Feb 5 Brig “Marnhull” which sailed on Jan 31 for Cork and Bristol put back next day because of large quantities of drift ice on the coast. (RG).
Feb 6 Brig “Mornhull” returned to Narrows after reaching ice shortly after leaving. (Newf.).
Feb (Mar) 9 The “Lavinia” for St.John’s obstructed by ice and contrary winds put into Trepassey (news reached St.John’s Mar 28). “Lavinia” spoke Mar 6 to a brig, while running to the southward along the outer edge of the ice, from Greenock to St.John’s. (PL).
Mar — Several vessels arrived at New York which had fallen in with islands of ice in latitudes 43 to 44N and longitudes 47 to 49W. Considered unusually early. (M9).
Mar 19 Several vessels arriving at New York lately fell in with islands of ice in 43 to 44N and 47 to 49W. It is unusually early in the season for this danger to be met with. (SCL).
Mar 24 Ship “Dublin Packet” from Dublin at New York ran foul of an island of ice on the Banks of Newfoundland and sprung her bowsprit, and tore off part of her copper. (SCL).
Mar 25 Issue: During the last fortnight the ice in a firm and compact body has completely bound the shores keeping in the sealing fleet. St.John’s now open but the Bay still closed. (PL).
April – Ice in and out of Bonavista Harbour with schooners coming and going. (#478)
Apr 2 95 sealing ships cleared for ice (6002 tons, 2049 men). Ship to Demerara 10 days in ice. Schooner “Perseverance” Mar 27 – Apr 3 took 1435 seals in 45N. (Newf.).
Apr 21 The brig “Catherine and Hannah” which arrived Cork picked up on May 4 in 4511’N 56W a boat belonging to the “Superb” from Bristol to Quebec which ran foul of an iceberg Apr 21 which stove her forward. Crew eventually took to boats and picked up 11 days later. 1 out of the 7 men survived. Two different reports in LL, first: About Apr 28 the “Superb”, Cain, from Bristol struck the ice off Cape Ray. Crew went ashore, vessel had disappeared by next day. Crew got on board “Wallsend” from Hull and went to Quebec (report dated Quebec May 9). Second, dated May 12, Mirimachi: The “Centurion” arrived here 10th inst. from Bristol brought in 11 of the crew of the “Superb”, Kain, from Bristol to Quebec abandoned on the 23rd ulto. in consequence of being seriously injured by running through some fields of ice, a little to the eastwards of the Banks, the master and 4 men left in the jolly boat had got on board a schooner -7 of the people left the ship in the pinnace, the remainder were on the wreck until the 29th (the long boat having been stove alongside), when they were taken off by the “Diana” of Dumfries and afterwards put onboard the “Centurion”. The “Superb” was nearly full of water when last seen. From the unusual quantities of ice about the coast this spring, it is feared that other disasters will be shortly heard of..
Apr 23 “Lion” foundered in ice. 9 Ships returned with 8-9000 seals. (Newf.).
Apr 25 Issue: The vessels returning from the ice have generally been unsuccessful in their voyages and together with the wrecks that have occurred cause apprehension. (PL).
Apr 30 30 Sealers arrived back reporting very poor voyages. (Newf.).
May 6 Brig “Augustus” from Demerara to Trinity put into Bay Bulls Apr 19 for repairs having had her rudder [and much copper] knocked off while in the ice on Apr 8 in 4310’N. Brig “Superb” put into St.John’s in consequence of meeting the ice which prevented her from reaching Greenspond. (RG).
May 7 “Wm. Barnes” [from New York to Liverpool ?] 437’N 4850’W fell in with immense quantities of ice, some of the islands very large. (LL).
May 11 “Jane” went down off Cape St.George having been struck by ice. (LL).
May 19 Quebec: “Spencer” damaged by ice [later reported sunk], “General Graham” from Leith damaged by ice, “Eolus” stove by ice off Gaspée. (LL).
May 22 Halifax: The “Superb” of Bristol has been carried into Burin with her bows stove in, by the “Betsey & Nancy”, schooner. (LL).
Jun — Lieut. Evans passed no bergs while crossing the tail of the Grand Banks but another vessel a degree or two further north encountered numerous. (M9).
Very few reports of ships arriving for 1828 in Newfoundlander.

1929

1829
11 vessels lost on spring seal hunt. (FGMM).
Good voyages but many lost (summary of annual seal fishery RG 24 Apr 1849).
Mission ship “Harmony” had a difficult and dangerous voyage due to ice. (EW).
Appears t
Mar 24&26 Ship “Nile” from Havre to New York in 4250’N 49-51W was surrounded by mountains of ice, the largest of which was about 5m long and 600′ high. (SCL).
Apr 2 Vessel detained by ice off C. Broyle. “Ranger” brings 1609 seals, master giving favourable report off St. John’s and other ports. (Newf.).
Apr 3 Issue: Schooner “Ranger” returned from the ice with 1,600 seals, also one or two others with some damage. The schooner “Lady Margaret” was totally lost in a gale upon the outer edge of some heavy ice at the entrance to Trinity Bay, the crew remaining on the ice 2 days. Another schooner was wrecked near the same place a day or two before. The seals in great abundance there. (PL)
Apr 7 Very mild and moderate weather which prevailed on the coast for some time. We understand the great majority of the vessels have passed in the heavy ice which has been on the coast for several days to the southward. Winds now from the NNE and NE. Seals plentiful but many vessels lost including “Fanny”, “Lady Margaret”, “Brothers”, “Visiter” [sic], “Favorite”, “Carolina”, “Sally”, and “Experiment”. “Visiter” accidentally blown up in the ice Mar 28. (RG).
Apr 14 A card of thanks from Brigantine “Providence” to brig “Micmac” for assisting the leaky vessel damaged by ice, presumably near Renews. (RG).
Apr 18 Schooner “Brickley” sailed from Halifax Jan 25, storm desailed her, encountered ice Mar 16, got free recent to Apr 30 (north of St. John.s – I think). (Newf.).
Apr 21 Brig believed to be “Adelaide” from West Indies to St. John’s was lost in the ice on the 12th. Schooner “Mayflower” wrecked in the ice on Mar 30. (RG).
Apr Issue: (from Harbour Grace Weekly April 20); schooner “Brickley” from Halifax Jan 25 arrived safely, after gales and encountering ice Mar 16 since when she was jammed. (PL).
Apr 27 Capt Couthouy [Conthony -M9] passed in 3610’N 39W [probably south of the Gulf Stream] an iceberg, estimated to be a quarter of a mile long, and from 80′ to 100′ high. (WCR).
Apr 28 [further vessels] lost in the seal fishery “Highland Laddie”, “Envy”, “Nancy” and “Industry”. (LL).
May 8 Pictou: The “Intrinsic” from Bristol was driven ashore at Merigonish, 5th inst., by the drift ice, but it is expected will be got off without much damage. There is yet a deal of drift ice in the Gulf and the ships which have arrived represent the ice on the Banks of Newfoundland and on the coast to be unusually heavy:- some were beset in it as far S as 42N. The “Bolivar” bound to Mirimachi, put into Tatmagush about 10 days back to keep clear of the ice and remains there to load. (LL).
Jun 5 “Brilliant” left Quebec for Leith fell in with a heavy body of ice about 20m east of the entrance to the Strait of Belle Isle. Got clear on Jun 19 after being 3 days and nights amongst them and being obliged to proceed a degree and a half to the south. (M9).