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In March 1914, 132 men from the SS Newfoundland scrambled onto the treacherous North Atlantic ice floes to hunt seals. Lost in a sudden blizzard, the sealers wandered for two days and nights before rescue. Only 55 made it back alive. This disaster had a deep and lasting effect; one hundred years later, the story still resonates. Perished traces the events leading up to, during, and after the tragedy, revisiting the horrors of those days and nights on the ice and examining its long-term ramifications. It is also a one-of-a-kind backgrounder on the seal hunt, exploring the roots of the industry, the conditions on board the sealing vessels, the cut-throat competitiveness of sealing captains, and the determination of sealers who put their lives on the line every spring as they headed to the ice. Illustrated with more than 200 rarely seen archival photos and documents, including pull-out facsimiles of maps, log book entries, telegrams, a sealer's ticket for the SS Newfoundland, and more.
The SS Newfoundland disaster of March 1914 stands as a stark reminder of the perils faced by sealers in the North Atlantic. The book meticulously details the events leading up to, during, and after the tragedy where 132 men were stranded on ice floes during a blizzard, resulting in 55 fatalities. It delves into the harsh realities of the seal hunt industry, including the competitive nature of captains, the dangerous conditions aboard sealing vessels, and the unwavering determination of the sealers themselves. The narrative also explores the long-term impact of this disaster, which continues to resonate a century later.
The book offers a comprehensive and deeply researched account of the 1914 Newfoundland seal hunt disaster, drawing on extensive archival materials. Its detailed exploration of the event and the broader context of the seal hunt industry provides valuable historical insight. The inclusion of over 200 archival photos and documents, including facsimiles of primary source materials, enhances its depth and authenticity. The narrative effectively conveys the human cost of the tragedy and its lasting impact.
Page Count:
69
Publication Date:
2013-01-01
Publisher:
Boulder Publications
ISBN-10:
1927099226
ISBN-13:
9781927099223
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