ICE. ' 61 



overrunning the cold Arctic current, while the latter, retaining its 

 progress and direction as a submarine current, transports the deeply 

 immersed ice islands into and across the Gulf stream. 



The season during which vessels are liable to encounter ice on the 

 voyage between the Channel and the gulf of St. Lawrence and the 

 northern ports of the United States thus extends from February to 

 August, the reports reaching a maximum frequency during June and 

 July. Isolated bergs, however, may be sighted at any time, and con- 

 sequently a good lookout is always necessary. 



Vessels bound to the gulf of St. Lawrence or Halifax either en- 

 deavor to make cape Race by passing north of the Virgin rocks, or, in 

 order to avoid the ice, cross the Great bank on the parallel of 4A° 

 north, hauling up on their proper course when past longitude 55° 

 west, as heavy ice is seldom seen to the westward of that meridian. 



The vicinity of St. Pierre, Miquelon, is generally free from ice after 

 the middle of April, and sometimes during the whole year. 



On the Atlantic coast of Labrador the larger bays freeze solid be- 

 tween December 1st and 15th. and these coasts remain icebound until 

 late in June. 



Every sheltered harbor in Labrador and Newfoundland is liable to 

 be frozen over each winter; the harbors farthest northward being 

 blocked earlier and opened later than those to the southward. The 

 usual time of freezing is, in Labrador, November, and in the south of 

 Newfoundland the middle of January; whilst the time of the ice 

 breaking up is, in Labrador, the end of June, and in the south of 

 Newfoundland the middle of April. Intermediate ports vary in time 

 according to position. The times of freezing and opening vary 

 greatly in different years, depending on the severity or comparative 

 mildness of the winter. 



Mention is made in this book, in the description of each particular 

 place, of the dates observed of the earliest and latest closings and 

 openings of each port. St. Johns harbor is, however, not often 

 frozen over in winter and is accessible at all seasons, except when the 

 prevalence of easterly winds, in early spring, drives heavy field ice 

 upon the coast; and at times (even as late as August) when icebergs 

 drift into the narrows and render the passage dangerous. 



Cabot strait is never frozen completely over, but vessels, not 

 specially built to encounter ice, can not navigate it safely between 

 January and April inclusive, on account of the heavy drift ice which 

 blocks the strait, more especially when the ice forms the Bridge. 

 Sealing steamers attempt it at all times, but are occasionally fast in 

 the ice for days together ; there is often difficulty in getting through 

 the inner part of the strait. 



The Bridge. — Nearly every year, in the spring, or from about the 

 middle of April to the middle of May, a great rush of ice out of the 



