Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 January 2010
Instances of merchant ships beset in times of ice pressure in the Gulf of St. Lawrence were investigated to study the observed relationship between winds and ice pressure generation. The relative power of the ships reported beset was calculated in an attempt to relate ice pressure severity with ship performance. Most pressure episodes occurred during onshore winds or near the time of major wind shifts. Ice pressure intensity during onshore winds appeared to be related to wind strength and duration and distance from shore. The ‘Mouth of the Gaspé Passage’ area was anomalous.