Almost every winter, the St. Lawrence River was covered by a thick layer of ice. This condition influenced many aspects of daily life, including passenger transport and maritime activities. It did simplify travelling between Québec City and the other shore by forming an ice bridge. In this watercolour, a man looks out over the ice to Québec City and its Citadel.

1840 - 1865

When the waters freeze over

Before icebreakers arrived in the 20th century, the immense expanse of the St. Lawrence River in front of Québec City would freeze over every winter. The city would then be cut off from international shipping for many months. In town, however, people carried on with their activities. They would cross the river, either by canoe over floating mounds of ice or on the ice bridge, depending on conditions. All around Québec City, rivers and frozen waterfalls offered an extraordinary spectacle. These magnificent winter landscapes are revealed through 19th-century artworks.

View of the Citadel and the frozen St. Lawrence River

John Philip Bainbridge Almost every winter, the St. Lawrence River was covered by a thick layer of ice. This condition influenced many aspects of daily life, including passenger transport and maritime activities. It did simplify travelling between Québec City and the other shore by forming an ice bridge. In this watercolour, a man looks out over the ice to Québec City and its Citadel.

Chronoscope What other features do you see in this piece? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1840

Source: Library and Archives Canada Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Acc. No. 1983-47-117 - Date: 1840

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