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Out of the Frying Pan Into the
Fire
There was very little
wind blowing, since we were on the lee side of the island. I should have
noticed that we were moving along the island much faster than the wind
could account for. The relief I felt from our recent escape was causing me
to relax too much and not look closely at my surroundings. Great danger
was just ahead, but neither Fitz nor I were in the least aware of it.
All seemed wonderful as
we approached the north end of the island. I knew there were no dangerous
reefs ahead so I sat half asleep at the helm as Dart started into her
second trial in as many hours. Fitz was sitting in the cock pit with me
enjoying the morning. The front hatch was open because the sea was calm,
except for the big ground swell which no longer posed any danger to us.
The stage was set, and the play was about to begin.
If I had consulted the
chart I might have noticed the little wave symbols just off the north end
of Canouan. They indicated a tidal race. This happens when a strong
current runs against a strong wind. The waves that form are "standing
waves," much like waves in a river that stay in one place all the
time. We had no warning other than the great speed that Dart was making in
calm winds. There was a very powerful current carrying us rapidly into the
jaws of a roaring February trade wind, and the violent tide race that
results. We were about to learn about a tide race.
I happened to look
forward, and to my horror, all I could see was a sea of white breaking
waves dead ahead. We were being swept into the race at a good 15 kts.,
more than three times Dart's hull speed! I only had time to scream to Fitz
to hang on, before we were swept into that hell of breaking seas. Just
before we hit them the sails took the full force of the winds coming
around the north end of the island, giving me better control over the
boat. Dart entered that maelstrom with a bone in her teeth.
The first wave crashed
down on Dart's fore deck, pouring water through the open hatch. The
powerful wind had Dart heeled over on her port beam so the water poured
down into the cabin right on to my bunk. It was the first water ever to
get inside the boat, and it all went onto my bed! We were quickly swept
through the white water, and then it was over as quickly as it had begun.
Fitz and I were both soaked, as well as most of the boat. We had passed
through a tide race and survived. Many boats have not been so lucky. Twice
lucky in two hours!
I went below and made a
quick check of the chart, but there were no other dangers between us and
the safety of Bequia. We had 24 miles of heavy seas and high winds ahead,
but they posed no threat to Dart or us. With the powerful winds, Sea Dart
maintained the bone in her teeth all the way to Bequia. It was a short but
spectacular sail. Both Fitz and I enjoyed the ride as we exulted in the
thrill of sailing under such exciting conditions, even though we were both
dead tired.
By 2:00 PM we had
dropped anchor in the safety of Bequia's protected harbor. I went
below and cleaned up the cabin from the water that had come in during our
ride through the tide race. When all was ship shape I crashed for a few,
very welcome, hours of sleep before having to go diving for our evening
meal. That night it was wonderful to fall asleep knowing that all was
truely well.
The End
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Copyright © 2001
- 2003
by Donald R. Swartz
All rights reserved.
Reproduction of these materials in any form is forbidden without the
permission
of the contributing authors or sources. |
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