This is a collection of stories and excerpts edited by Victor Suthren, whose credentials are impressive both as a historian and as a sailor. The book has eight logical sections, each with five or six stories. The first section, The First Peoples, presents First Nations' accounts and myths dealing with naval adventure. The Newcomers, the second section, covers the initial encounters of what would become Canada by the Norse and the Europeans. Blood on the Waters covers the early naval warfare in the region. Making a Living on the Sea holds stories of the fishing industry. Special Ships, the fifth chapter or section, has tales of the Bluenose, of an esoteric experiment by a Nova Scotian, and of the sinking of the Princess Sophia. Going It Alone comprises a few tales of solo maritime adventure in the spirit of Joshua Slocum. Dark Shadows: Modern War at Sea holds tales of Canadian naval trial by fire - the Atlantic Convoys and the like. Finally, chapter eight addresses "The Modern Sea: Harsh Workplace, Beckoning Playground," with stories from the boom, bust and evolution of fishing industries to the notion of going to sea for amusement.
These stories don't necessarily require an affinity for the sea to be appealing - they form an empathetic picture of a significant aspect of Canadian history.
Well worth reading for anyone with an interest in history, Canada, the sea or any combination of those.
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