Subject
Labrador (N.L.) -- Description and travel Books
Best books
Louis Legrand Noble
After Icebergs with a Painter A Summer Voyage to Labrador and Around Newfoundland.
"After Icebergs with a Painter" by Louis Legrand Noble is a travel narrative written in the mid-19th century. The book chronicles the author's summer voyage in 1859 with a landscape painter along the northeastern coast of British America, focusing particularly on the study and sketching of icebergs. This richly detailed account captures the beauty of nature and the encounters with various landscapes and seascapes, providing a glimpse into the adventures of its main characters as they navigate the challenges of their expedition. The opening of the narrative introduces the ambitious nature of the journey, with the author and his painter companion expressing their eagerness to explore the icy terrains and marvels of Labrador and Newfoundland. They discuss the rarity and beauty of icebergs, contemplating both the risks and the allure of their expedition. As they embark, they face the discomforts of sea travel, including seasickness, yet remain captivated by the anticipation of the spectacular landscapes awaiting them. The tone sets the stage for a vivid exploration of natural wonders, human curiosity, and the artistry inspired by such magnificent phenomena.
Mina Hubbard
A Woman's Way Through Unknown Labrador
"A Woman's Way Through Unknown Labrador" by Mina Hubbard is a historical account published in the early 20th century that chronicles the exploration of the Nascaupee and George Rivers in Labrador. The book serves as a testament to the adventures of the author as she undertakes a journey to complete her late husband, Leonidas Hubbard Jr.'s, unfinished expedition, detailing her experiences in the uncharted wilderness alongside her dedicated team of guides. At the start of the book, Mina Hubbard introduces her husband and sets the stage for her expedition into the Labrador wilderness following his tragic death. She reveals the motivations behind her journey, expressing a strong desire to honor her husband's legacy while also seeking to correct misunderstandings about his previous voyage. Mina shares her preparations and thoughts as she embarks on the journey, describing her companions and the challenges they face. The opening chapters establish a sense of determination and urgency as she begins traversing a harsh but breathtaking landscape, filled with vivid descriptions of the natural world and personal reflections on both her mission and the spirit of exploration.
Wilfred Thomason Grenfell
Vikings of to-day : $b Or, life and medical work among the fishermen of Labrador
"Vikings of to-day : Or, life and medical work among the fishermen of Labrador" by Wilfred T. Grenfell is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The work details the experiences and challenges faced by Grenfell and the Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen as they provide medical and spiritual aid to the fishing communities inhabiting the harsh and remote landscape of Labrador. With an emphasis on both the land and people, it paints a picture of resilience and hardship, highlighting the day-to-day realities and daring spirit of those living on the edge of survival. The opening of the book sets the stage with a preface from Frederick Treves, emphasizing the contrast between modern society's perceived decline in vigor and the enduring toughness of Labrador's fishermen. The author then provides a comprehensive picture of Labrador’s geography, climate, flora, fauna, and the stark difficulties faced by its inhabitants—including their history, the landscape's unyielding nature, and the legacy of exploration going back to the age of the Vikings. Early chapters introduce not only the natural environment but also Grenfell's first journeys, encounters with poverty and illness, and the logistical and social framework of fishing life, from methods of catching cod to the oppressive “truck system” of trade. This beginning positions the book as both a vivid travelogue and a testament to the perseverance and character of the people and those who seek to help them.
John McLean
Notes of a Twenty-Five Years' Service in the Hudson's Bay Territory. Volume I.
"Notes of a Twenty-Five Years' Service in the Hudson's Bay Territory. Volume I." by John M'Lean is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. The narrative chronicles the author's experiences as an Indian trader and an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company, shedding light on the challenging realities of life in the vast and often harsh territories they operated in. M'Lean aims to provide insights into the lives of both the traders and the Indigenous peoples, aiming to reveal the often misunderstood hardships and dynamics in this colonial context. At the start of the narrative, the author outlines his motivations for documenting his experiences—primarily to combat loneliness and share his adventures with friends. He introduces the complexities of trade and the competition faced by the Hudson's Bay Company in a landscape populated by Indigenous tribes, other traders, and colonial rivalries. The opening chapters explore M'Lean's early service, including his interactions with various communities, his insights on the operations of the Hudson's Bay Company, and the cultural and social fabric within which these interactions occurred. Through detailed anecdotes, he sets the stage for a vivid portrayal of life on the frontier, marked by both camaraderie and conflict.
Benjamin La Trobe
With the Harmony to Labrador Notes of a visit to the Moravian mission stations on the north-east coast of Labrador
"With the Harmony to Labrador" by Benjamin La Trobe is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The narrative revolves around La Trobe’s visit to the Moravian mission stations located on the northeast coast of Labrador, detailing his experiences and observations about the region and its inhabitants, particularly the Eskimo population. This account serves both as a travel memoir and a documentary of the missionary work conducted in this remote area. At the start of this work, the author reflects on his journey aboard the ship "Harmony," which safely brought him to Hopedale, the southernmost mission station. He recounts the challenges of navigating through fog and ice, contrasting the stark beauty of summer with the harsh realities of the Labrador winter. La Trobe describes the mission houses and the surrounding Eskimo dwellings, highlighting the daily lives of the inhabitants and the ongoing efforts of the missionaries to foster a spiritual community. His observations are filled with a sense of respect for the resilience and faith of the local people, as well as the natural hardships they face in such a desolate landscape.
Dillon Wallace
The Long Labrador Trail
"The Long Labrador Trail" by Dillon Wallace is an adventurous account written in the early 20th century. This non-fiction work recounts the author's explorations in the uncharted wilderness of Labrador, following the tragic journey of Leonidas Hubbard, Jr., who succumbed to starvation during an earlier expedition. The narrative focuses on Wallace’s commitment to completing Hubbard's planned voyage and documenting their experiences while navigating the harsh, unforgiving terrain of the region. At the start of the story, the opening sections describe the profound connection the author felt to the wilderness, inspired by Hubbard's passionate words about exploration and nature. Wallace reflects on their previous expedition, the promise he made to Hubbard, and the preparations he undertook for the new journey, which began with assembling a team composed of various companions. The narrative blends personal reminiscences and descriptions of the equipment needed for their adventure with the author's observations of the landscape's beauty and dangers. As they set off, they face the untamed elements, setting the stage for the challenges and discoveries that lie ahead in the rugged Canadian wilderness.
Norman Duncan
Dr. Grenfell's Parish: The Deep Sea Fisherman
"Dr. Grenfell's Parish: The Deep Sea Fisherman" by Norman Duncan is an account written in the early 20th century. The book sheds light on the work of Dr. Wilfred T. Grenfell, a dedicated physician on the Newfoundland and Labrador coasts, as he provides much-needed medical care to the isolated fishermen and their families living in harsh conditions. Through Grenfell's experiences, the narrative explores themes of sacrifice, devotion, and the tumultuous life of the fishing communities. The opening of the narrative introduces Dr. Grenfell's mission with a poignant encounter between a stranger and an old fisherman, reflecting the dire need for medical assistance in the coastal communities. The fisherman hopes to find help for his ailing daughter but is met by disappointment when the stranger admits he is not a doctor. This interaction sets the tone for the account of Grenfell’s compassionate work, as it becomes evident that he is a beacon of hope for the residents who often suffer without medical aid. The reader is drawn into the grim realities of life along the Labrador coasts and the challenges faced by not only Grenfell but also the community he serves.
John McLean
Notes of a Twenty-Five Years' Service in the Hudson's Bay Territory. Volume II.
"Notes of a Twenty-Five Years' Service in the Hudson's Bay Territory. Volume II." by John M'Lean is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. The book chronicles the author's experiences and observations during his service with the Hudson's Bay Company in the harsh and remote territory of the Hudson Bay region. The narrative provides insights into the landscape, the indigenous peoples, and the challenges of life in an area marked by extreme weather and scarce resources. The opening of the volume begins with M'Lean's journey to Norway House, detailing the difficulties faced by the party as they navigate snow-covered terrain. The text describes the changing seasons and the landscape's beauty despite its adversities, such as snowstorms and the scarcity of game. M'Lean's reflections on the social customs of local Indian tribes are intertwined with descriptions of travel hardships, establishing a setting that highlights both the natural environment and human resilience amidst isolation and hardship.
Jean-B.-A. (Jean-Baptiste-Antoine) Ferland
Opuscules
"Opuscules" by Jean-B.-A. Ferland is a collection of memoirs and travel writings that appears to have been composed in the late 19th century. The narrative begins with a personal account of the author’s journey to the desolate shores of Anticosti Island, allowing readers a glimpse into the geography, maritime perils, and the local legends surrounding its infamous inhabitant, Louis-Olivier Gamache. The text weaves together history, observation, and anecdotal storytelling, set against the backdrop of the harsh natural environment and the experiences of those who live in such remote areas. The opening of "Opuscules" sets the stage as the narrator embarks on a journey aboard the steamboat "Doris" in 1852, with the mission of delivering provisions to remote lighthouses on Anticosti Island. The island’s treacherous reputation, marked by shipwrecks and fierce storms, is highlighted alongside the introduction of Gamache, a notorious figure known for his uncanny ability to survive the dangers associated with maritime navigation. As the narrator approaches the Bay of Gamache, they are greeted by a diverse array of wildlife, including seals and various birds. The encounter with Gamache reveals a complex character whose feared reputation is intermingled with tales of camaraderie and hospitality, challenging initial perceptions and presenting a layered view of life on the fringes of civilization.
H. (Hesketh) Hesketh-Prichard
Through trackless Labrador
"Through trackless Labrador" by H. Hesketh-Prichard is a travel and exploration account written in the early 20th century. It follows a small expedition from the Moravian mission coast at Nain into the unmapped interior toward the George River, mixing adventure with close observation of Labrador’s stark geography, wildlife, and the lives of missionaries, Inuit, settlers, and Nascaupee and Montagnais Indians. Expect river ascents by canoe, hard portaging over a barren, mosquito-ridden plateau, and a practical focus on hunting, caching, and survival. The opening of this work sets out the author’s aim: to cross the unknown plateau between the Atlantic and the George River using light Indian-style methods, living partly off the land and caching food, while praising the Moravian Mission and noting the harsh, “predatory” economy of Labrador. It sketches the land and people—climate shaped by polar currents, scattered coastal stations, seasonal fishermen, Inuit hunters, and interior Indians—along with the barrens, flies, and grand, austere scenery. The narrative then recalls an earlier failed attempt inland and details the 1910 plan with G. M. Gathorne-Hardy and canoe man Robert Porter, choosing the mission ship Harmony to reach Nain via Makkovik and Hopedale. At Nain the party gathers local intelligence, rejects safer southern routes despite warnings, and targets the Fraser River via Nunaingoak Bay, hiring an Eskimo helper while relying on caches and minimal loads. They sail up the bay, cross a long lake, and fight upstream in rain through shallow, rapid water hemmed by rising cliffs, with mosquitoes constant and game scarce. The helper demands higher pay and deserts; the three remaining men cache supplies, scout a steep ravine as a possible exit to the plateau, and then suffer a dangerous capsize on the Fraser that nearly drowns Porter and scatters their gear.
Jonathan Prince Cilley
Bowdoin Boys in Labrador An Account of the Bowdoin College Scientific Expedition to Labrador led by Prof. Leslie A. Lee of the Biological Department
"Bowedoin Boys in Labrador" by Jonathan Prince Cilley is a historical account written in the late 19th century that chronicles the Bowdoin College Scientific Expedition to Labrador, led by Professor Leslie A. Lee. The narrative captures the experiences of a group of college students as they navigate the challenges of their journey in a largely uncharted and rugged landscape, performing scientific research along the way. The opening portion of the book sets the stage for the expedition, detailing the group's departure from Rockland, Maine, aboard the vessel "Julia A. Decker." The initial chapters introduce the members of the expedition and provide vivid descriptions of the nautical challenges they encounter, including fog, changing winds, and their interactions with the local Micmac Indians. The narrative paints a picture of the preparations the team undertakes, the camaraderie among the Bowdoin boys, and their eagerness to explore the natural wonders of Labrador while conducting anthropometric and photographic work. This opening gives readers insight into the adventurous spirit of the era and the scientific curiosity that drives the expedition.
B. G. (Benjamin Gottlieb) Kohlmeister
Journal of a Voyage from Okkak, on the Coast of Labrador, to Ungava Bay, Westward of Cape Chudleigh Undertaken to Explore the Coast, and Visit the Esquimaux in That Unknown Region
"Journal of a Voyage from Okkak, on the Coast of Labrador, to Ungava Bay, undertaken to Explore the Coast, and Visit the Esquimaux in that Unknown Region" by Benjamin Kohlmeister and George Kmoch is a historical account written in the early 19th century. This narrative chronicles the expedition of two missionaries who set out to explore and minister to the Esquimaux people living in the northern regions of Labrador and Ungava Bay. The book provides insights into both the cultural interactions and the natural challenges faced by the missionaries during their voyage. The beginning of the journal sets the scene for the expedition, detailing the preparations made by the missionaries and the Esquimaux who accompany them. The narrative describes the initial challenges such as unpredictable weather and ice conditions, as well as the emotional farewells from their home community in Okkak, where friends and family express their concerns for their safety. It introduces key figures including Jonathan, an intelligent and skilled Esquimaux who assumes a leadership role in the expedition, and the missionaries themselves, who are determined to expand their mission to the northern Esquimaux despite the significant risks involved. The stage is thus set for a journey filled with exploration, cultural exchange, and the trials of navigating uncharted territories.
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