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Vikings of to-day

Chapter 4: AUTHOR’S PREFACE
By Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell
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About This Book

A physician and missionary recounts journeys along a harsh northern coast, describing landscape, ice and wildlife, fishing methods, and local livelihoods; he records medical and relief work among isolated fishing communities, the challenges of travel and supply, encounters with Inuit families, sealers, and dogs, and the effects of the truck system on poverty and health. Practical case histories, appeals for support, and reflections on enterprise and resilience accompany observations of natural history, nautical hazards, and the establishment of hospitals and mission stations, with appended medical statistics and testimonies.

AUTHOR’S PREFACE

This book is intended to give a general account of the country and people of Labrador, and to summarize the efforts made by the council of the Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, during the past three years, to brighten the lives of the many brave toilers of the sea on that desolate coast.

I have avoided the use of scientific terms, and have ventured to quote from some of the few books on the subject without the permission of the authors. Amongst these are Dr. Nansen’s Eskimo Life, Mr. Packard’s The Labrador Coast, Dr. Harvey’s Newfoundland, the Oldest British Colony, Crantz’s Explorations in Greenland, Hinde’s Explorations in Labrador, Cartwright’s Journals, Rev. J. Moreton’s Life and Work in Newfoundland.

The universal kindness and hospitality extended to the Mission Staff in Labrador, Newfoundland and Canada, and the almost unlimited scope for work, have made these three years, three of the most enjoyable in our lives.

To his Excellency the Governor of Newfoundland Sir Terence O’Brien, K.C.M.G., Chairman of the St. Johns Committee, among many others, our warmest thanks are due.

The illustrations in this volume are from photographs taken on “Barnet Plates” kindly presented to the Society by Messrs. Elliot & Fry.

WILFRED T. GRENFELL.

March, 1893.