1905, The Harvest of the Sea: A Tale of Both Sides of the Atlantic by Wilfred T. Grenfell

1905, The Harvest of the Sea: A Tale of Both Sides of the Atlantic by Wilfred T. Grenfell

📚 Bibliographic Details

• Author: Wilfred Thomason Grenfell (1865‑1940) Publication Date & Place: 1905; New York & Toronto: F.H. Revell Company. 

• Format & Extent: The Canadiana database records it as 162 pages + 16 leaves of plates (illustrations) in one listing. Edition Notes: One reference lists the London edition: Fleming H. Revell Company, London, also 1905. 

🧭 Content & Scope

• The subtitle “A Tale of Both Sides of the Atlantic” suggests the book covers or contrasts fishing/sea‑life/harvesting activities in both the North Atlantic sides. Indeed, references cite it under Labrador (Nfld.)‑fiction, seafaring life.Given Grenfell’s biography (he worked as a medical missionary among coastal fishermen in Newfoundland & Labrador)  it’s likely the book draws on his experiences or observations of the fishing industry, maritime life, and the conditions of deep‑sea fishermen. One citation uses it in relation to North Sea fishermen’s losses.

• The content appears to blend narrative/sketches of fishermen’s lives, perhaps with moral or mission undertones (which would be consistent with Grenfell’s work).

• It includes illustrations and plates, visualizing maritime scenes and fishing life.

✅ Significance

• Historically important: The book offers insight into early 20th‑century maritime/fishing life in Newfoundland & Labrador, and possibly comparative perspectives with other Atlantic fisheries.

• For the study of Grenfell’s work: It contributes to understanding his literary output (he wrote several books on Labrador/fishing life) and his efforts to describe and publicize the conditions of coastal communities. For regional studies: The book is useful as a primary (or near‑primary) source for the culture of fishing in the Newfoundland‑Labrador region, the sea as “harvest”, and coastal settlement conditions.

• For literary/cultural context: While perhaps not strictly academic, the book has narrative and descriptive value and was part of the larger surge of literature about “outport”/coastal life in Newfoundland & Labrador around that era.

⚠️ Considerations & Usage Notes

• Because this is a tale rather than a formal history or scientific study, the content may combine fact and narrative — so if you’re using it for academic historical data (e.g., fishing statistics, settlement counts) you should cross‑check with archival data or more formal monographs.

• The perspective of the author is shaped by his mission/evangelical/medical background; so characterizations of fishermen, communities, and “the sea” may reflect particular values, not neutral commentary.

• Since the book was published in 1905, terminology, viewpoint, and cultural assumptions will reflect the early 20th‑century context (imperial, colonial, mission‑oriented) so appropriate caution is needed when interpreting.

• If you want to use content (quotations, images, plates) check the edition you have (1905 vs later reprint) and condition of illustrations.

🎯 How You Could Use It

• As a descriptive source: Use excerpts to illustrate the lived experiences of fishermen in Newfoundland & Labrador in the early 20th century.

• As a context for Grenfell’s mission work: Use it to understand how Grenfell framed the fishing/trading/coastal communities and how that fed into his mission strategy.

• As comparative material: If you’re researching fishing on both sides of the Atlantic (e.g., Newfoundland vs European fishing fleets) the subtitle suggests a comparative dimension.

• For visual/historical culture: Use the plates/illustrations in the book to show equipment, settlement forms, sea scenes of the period.

• For historiography of Newfoundland & Labrador literature: Use it as an example of how Newfoundland’s sea life was depicted empirically/romantically at that time.