It happened quickly as it does every year. One day, we drove by the harbour at Summerside and hundreds of black ducks were on the beach at low tide or dabbling nearby in the open water. Two days later, it was a different sight.
My husband and I saw the cargo ship in port and wondered if it would venture into the icy harbour.
This new ice couldn’t have been too thick for the vessel already? Or was any ice too much?
A week later our questions were answered as the Canadian Coast Guard Ship, Sir William Alexander,
cut her way through the harbour, opening a channel for the cargo vessel. The Alexander, a light icebreaker, is stationed in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and works in the Canadian Maritimes.
It was the first time we had seen an icebreaker at work though we have always lived on islands affected by winter ice conditions. We stopped and watched as she worked her way into the harbour.
Iphone photos had to suffice.
Soon the smelt shacks will appear on the frozen harbour while vessel traffic has ceased for a few months. Such is the rhythm of life on Prince Edward Island.
I learned something new. I didn't know ships actually got caught in ice although I knew it could sink them. Great pics.
ReplyDeleteThe ferries between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia get caught in the ice every winter, Linda.
DeleteHow cool to see an icebreaker at work. And your iPhone did just fine with the pictures, Marie. Thanks for sharing. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe Iphone does in a pinch, Jan.
DeleteI wrote a comment but I guess I didn't wait long enough. How cool to see an icebreaker at work. Your iPhone did just fine, Marie. Thanks for sharing. :-)
ReplyDeleteI received the first comment. Thank you, Jan.
Delete"Waiting for a ship to come and find me"---it's a long winter.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know that quote, Joanne. The winter is too long for sure.
DeleteVery cool, both literally and figuratively.
ReplyDeleteIt was bitterly cold the day the icebreaker arrived, Debra.
DeleteWow! I've never seen a frozen harbor before. I can't imagine how cold it must be for that to happen. Thanks for sharing the pictures.
ReplyDeleteThe harbour is shallow as well, Danielle so it freezes quickly.
DeleteOh my gosh Marie, it's hard for me to imagine the degree of cold that would cause such thick ice. How cool to watch the ice breaker in action, I would have been fascinated too. I'm guessing you were well rugged up with coats, scarves, beanies etc. 😀
ReplyDeleteI had my warm winter gear on but my fingers froze during the few minutes I was outside 5e car, PDP.
DeleteOh wow. I just cannot imagine anything that cold. I would never survive!! Great photos. Have a good weekend Diane
ReplyDeleteI spend lots of time indoors in the winter, Diane.
DeleteIt is amazing how fast the ice will come once the weather conditions get just right. Interesting to be able to watch the ice ship in action! Do you ever venture out on the ice to fish? I never have, and there are lots of places around here that do it. I just can't quite do it, lol!
ReplyDeleteI haven’t been able to do it yet either, Marilyn. It is against the laws of nature somehow! Lol.
DeleteThat would be cool to see an icebreaker in action!
ReplyDeleteIt was, Jenn.
DeleteI have never seen an icebreaker. I will check them on youtube and see how it is done.
ReplyDeleteMarvelous sights.
The vessel charged through the harbour quickly, Catarina.
DeleteWhat a fascinating thing to watch. I didn't know there were sizes of ice breakers although it makes sense. Beautiful shots. What an interesting place is your home ground.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t know about the sizes of icebreakers either, Celia.
DeleteThose icebreakers are tough ships!
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed. William.
DeleteIt's amazing that an icebreaker had to come and make a channel. Reminds me of the northern arctic area where you see them all the time. I've never seen one in action though. Nice photos, Marie and have a wonderful weekend. Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteWe were excited to see the vessel, Bill.
DeleteWow. What a phenomenal thing to see.
ReplyDeleteThe ship I travelled to Antarctica on was an ice breaker, but I have never 'seen them at work'.
Thank you.
How exciting to see Antarctica, EC. Have you ever written about it?
DeleteNeat! I've seen the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker (docked, not at work). Andrea
ReplyDeleteIt was neat, Andrea.
DeleteIncredible. Even more incredible is that anyone would walk/build a shack on that ice. Scares me to death to think of falling through.
ReplyDeleteI know, Barbara. I can’t imagine venturing on that ice either.
Deletehow fascinating to see this!! very nice captures!!
ReplyDeleteWish I’d had my regular camera with me, Debbie.
ReplyDeleteIt's a cold, wintery location, but you always make it look magical!
ReplyDeleteThank you, SW.
DeleteAmazing seeing the water all iced over and the ice breaker creating a channel. There was a lake in Germany that used to ice over when I was a child but apart from that I have never seen any lake,river or sea covered in ice! When I was researching my family history I discovered the sea used to sometimes ice over between Scandinavia and the UK it is hard to imagine that now! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteWe have lived here for a number of years now and I am still amazed by the freeze-up of the harbour every year, Sarah.
DeleteThe rythm of the seasons is so fascinating to watch. Same pattern of shipping on the Great Lakes.
ReplyDeleteI love the seasons and all they bring though winter is my least favourite, FG.
ReplyDeleteWe are having some thawing these days. The Rideau Canal has been closed for skating.
ReplyDeleteNot much thawing here, AC.
DeleteHow exciting to actually see the icebreaker at work!
ReplyDeleteIt was great to see the icebreaker, Jenny.
ReplyDelete