1914-01-11ok

It was a perfect situation - a sudden January cold spell had left the frozen surface of Hamilton very smooth, and ideal for skating.

On Sunday, January 10, 1915, the ice was irresistible and throughout the afternoon, large numbers of people, young and old alike, headed out on the bay:

“Sunday skating in Hamilton is becoming a very popular pastime, and this was quite evident to any person who happened to be down near the bay yesterday afternoon.

“All roads led to the ice. Autos and motorcycles, and cutters in large numbers, found their way to the glassy surface, and during the afternoon, they proved a big attraction for the younger set, who took a great fancy to hanging on the backs of the cars and went skimming across the ice at a great clip.”¹

¹ “5000 On the Ice : Sunday Skaters out in Force, Also Careless Autoists.”

Hamilton Times.   January 11, 1915.

The Times reporter estimated that there might well have been over 5000 skaters all over the bay, with the majority of them started their skate from the foot of John street, where a well-worn path led from the street down to the ice in a gentle grade,

In some secluded sections of the bay, the reporter had seen members of what he termed “the rougher element” who had set up several crap games. However, for the most part it was a respectable-looking, merry crowd that was out for some legitimate sport.

There was one element of the scene that concerned the reporter:

“The bay is for skaters and ice boats, and not for autos, with careless young men driving them like as were in evidence yesterday afternoon. No accidents occurred, but several had close calls from being struck, some drivers seeming to take great delight in breaking all speed limits, and running close enough to the skaters to make them hurry to a safer place.”¹

While the newly frozen provided a boom for recreation, those whose business involved harvesting ice from the bay would have to wait somewhat longer before their work could begin:

“”In three weeks’ time, four hundred of Hamilton’s unemployed will have the opportunity of helping gather in the ice harvest.

“A. E. Best, assistant manager of the firm of Dewey & O’Heir, stated this morning that the ice was only about six or seven inches thick, and while it was of good quality, it would require a couple of nights of zero weather to put it in consdition.”¹

 ¹ “Ice Harvest : Will Begin in Three Weeks and Employ 400 Men.”

Hamilton Times.    January 15, 1915.

Certainly the thickness of the ice to be harvested was the main factor, ice harvesting was better in February than in January because of the availability of light.

In January the daylight was too short. The men could not begin a day’s work much before 8 a.m., and would have to be heading homeward by 4:30 or so in the afternoon. In February, the available daylight was much increased.