[6] On March 22, 1973, five professors at Memorial University of Newfoundland – Tom Dawe, Al Pittman (d. 2001), Clyde Rose (d. 2023), Pat Byrne, and Richard Buehler – determined that the access to Newfoundland and Labrador learning materials was far too limited for their liking.
[2][7] With an initial mission to publish materials that would preserve the culture of Newfoundland and Labrador, the men began publications.
It was at this time that Clyde Rose stepped in as full-time manager of Breakwater Books, which Pat Byrne has said was "a risky move".
Recently, the company has expanded its horizons to publish works from various genres, most notably children's literature, fiction, and poetry.
Breakwater Books was founded in 1973 by Richard Buehler, Pat Byrne, Tom Dawe, Al Pittman, and Clyde Rose.