The commercial spring seal hunt was one of Newfoundland and Labrador's most dangerous and demanding industries in the 19th century.

As seals became more difficult to harvest, Newfoundland outfitters turned first to larger sailing vessels and then to wooden-hulled steamers.

Newfoundland and Labrador's physical environment greatly influenced the ways settlers made a living during the 19th century. The richness of marine resources encouraged a pattern of coastal settlement and made the cod and seal fisheries central to local economies. In contrast, the relative scarcity of good soils and other terrestrial resources made large-scale farming operations impractical and discouraged year-round habitation of interior spaces.

Until well into the 20th century, Newfoundland's primary economic activity was in the fisheries.

The first sealing vessels from St. John's sailed to the ice in 1793. Following their successful expedition, the sailing seal fishery expanded rapidly.

The bulk of seals taken annually in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and off the eastern coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador are Greenland seals, or harps.

Seal Fishery: Hunting Methods--Natural Environment--Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Web

Some of Newfoundland and Labrador's best-known and most destructive disasters occurred during the era of Responsible Government.