Elizabeth's Journey

Chapter 1

     February 4, 1918 -- Over breakfast, Elizabeth asked, "Is it my imagination, or did the ship just slow down?"

     "No, it slowed," said Carl, looking out the window.  "We just passed Cape Lazlo and the captain needs to time our arrival at Ripple Rock at the highest possible tide.  Time to get ready for the lifeboat drill."

    Passengers assembled on the top deck and donned life vests just as the Jefferson entered the south end of Seymour Narrows, British Columbia.  It was cold out on deck and Elizabeth gagged on the acrid smoke swirling from the steamer's single stack.  She joined the line forming before her assigned lifeboat.

     The water moved fast in the narrow passage between Vancouver and Quadra Islands.  The dolphins that had been glancing off the submerged bow quickly vanished.

     "There's an underwater mountain up ahead," Carl said.  "Ripple Rock is actually two peaks that are only nine feet below the surface at low tide.  The best time to navigate the narrows is at high-water slack tide.  Any other time, you risk being caught in a whirlpool and dragged under.  Many shipwrecks have taken place in these waters."

     The water beneath the ship turned turbulent and a large whirlpool appeared off the port bow.  The big ship slipped sideways toward the whirlpool despite the captain's efforts to steer a straight course.  The steamer shuddered as the propeller hit air pockets in the roiling water.

     Suddenly, they shot ahead, released by the current's strong grip.  Captain Nord straightened out the ship and they continued north up the channel.

     Elizabeth realized she had been holding her breath.  "Is there more?" she asked.

     "No, that's the worst of it," replied Carl.  "Let's go below and warm up."

     They lined up with the purser for lunch seating and watched the passing scenery.  There were no more settlements and the tide ran rapidly.  At Johnstone Strait, Elizabeth spied a pod of killer whales.  Their tall, stiff dorsal fins skimmed the surface wet and black  Occasionally, one raised out of the water far enough to see the white markings on its side.  They paid the ship no heed and continued their search for food in the cold, dark water.