Tillamook Passage

Brian MD Ratty

Description

Tillamook Passage is a novel for young adults. The story is historical fiction about the maritime trade of sea otter pelts and the Northwest coastal Indians. In 1788, the sloop Lady Washington, commanded by Captain Robert Gray, discovers native villages on a large, pristine bay which Gray names after the Indians: Tillamook.

Barter with the natives, initially friendly, gives way to a surprise attack. During the ensuing battle, two young sailors become separated from the ship, and must hide from the marauding Indians. When their sloop vanishes into a foggy sea, they are marooned in a remote and primitive land.

Their struggle, playing out against endless forests, rugged mountains and bountiful waters, is an epic tale of clashing cultures, fate, trust, and love. Tillamook Passage is a thrilling testament to the iron wills, brave hearts and sharp wits of the gritty jack-tars who came before us. Two worlds...one destiny.

Sujets

• Fiction Jeunesse
• Juvenilee Fiction
• Jeunesse Aventure

Informations

• Publié par: eBookIt.com
• Date de parution: 21 février 2013
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781456603908
• Langue: English

Extrait

Tillamook Passage
Far Side of The Pacific


 
Brian D. Ratty
 
 


©2011 Brian D. Ratty. All rights reserved.
 
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.
 
First published by AuthorHouse 6/17/2011
 
Published in eBook format by eBookIt.com
http://www.eBookIt.com
 
ISBN-13: 978-1-4566-0390-8
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 



 


 
 
For my loving wife Tess of two score years.
Love brought us together
as husband and wife
and gave us each
a best friend for life
 
And for baby Roan Elizabeth, our newest grandchild
 
Introduction


TILLAMOOK PASSAGE IS MY THIRD BOOK AND a departure from my first two novels. The seeds of this story started many years ago, when I read about Captain Robert Gray and his discovery of a pristine Pacific coastal bay that he named, after the local Indians, as Tillamook. Then, some years later, the story took root after my wife, Tess, and I found an out-of-print book about the culture and rituals of the Tillamook Indians. These two events forged the general premise of a story that is steeped in history while rich in adventure.
Writing historical fiction, in this age of political correctness, can be a tricky enterprise. Some readers wish to overlook the past, pretending that our forefathers were without fault and that the world was always a peaceful, gentle place. Unfortunately, that isn’t how history works. Remember, for example, that the very first ‘cash crop’ shipped back to Europe from the fledging colony of Jamestown, in the seventeenth century, was tobacco. America’s early financial foundation was primarily built upon the growth and sale of tobacco. Then, immediately after the Revolutionary War, ships were sent to the Pacific Northwest for the taking and trading of pelts. Essentially, the Pacific coast frontier was opened because of the skins of small animals like the otter and beaver. At that time, the local Indians, thousands of them, lived peacefully up and down the Pacific coastal plain. Most of them had never seen a ship or a white man, and they had no concept of guns or money. They were a simple people, living off the land and raising their families just as their ancestors had done for over five hundred generations. These Indians became tragic victims of the fur trade and the opening of the frontier. Within a single generation, the culture and lives of these people would be changed forever. No, history isn’t always pretty, but it’s always fascinating, and it is a window to what has already been. For if we don’t truly come to understand our checkered past, we will be doomed to repeat it.
 
Tillamook Passage presented other challenges, such as working with eighteenth century language usage and the many seafaring terms of the day. And finding resources that could shed light on the culture and jargon of the local Indians was an even more daunting task. But as Tess and I undertook extensive research trips, we found clues to the Indians’ lives that helped me to depict a civilization rich with courage and strong in faith.
Tillamook Passage is written in three voices. At the beginning of each chapter, a brief narrative highlights the history of the time, while the story itself is told through the voice of my main subject and, later, his son. As to my characters, many are historical, some arise from folklore, and still others come from my imagination. Their development and my plot will hopefully take the reader back to a savage wilderness of endless forests, rugged mountains and bountiful waters. In this land of long ago, they will discover Indians with proud spirits, steeped in savaged traditions. These natives must now face their fate, dealing with white men and their ships that spit fire. Tillamook Passage is a thrilling testament to the iron wills, brave hearts and sharp wits of the gritty explorers who came before us. Two worlds… one destiny.
 
Acknowledgments


WRITING HISTORICAL FICTION IS A REWARDING ENTERPRISE for anyone who loves history. Once the general story line is set and a rough outline has been written, the leg work begins. For the first of many research trips, my wife Tess and I visited the Tillamook County Library in search of information on the coastal Indians of Pacific Northwest. We were pleasantly surprised by this modern library and the many valuable research documents it had to offer. It was here that one of the librarians told us of an out-of-print book which contained rare information on the rituals, ceremonies and culture of the Tillamook Indian nation. Soon, an old, dog-eared copy of this book was found in a local bookstore, and it proved to be invaluable.
The first part of my story is about tall ships and sailors. Being only a fair-weather power boater myself, I needed much guidance regarding sailing terms and the lifestyles of the jack-tars of the seventeenth century. For help, I turned to my old friend, David White, who is a world renowned sailor in his own right. David was one of the first to sail solo around the world, and became one of the founders of a world famous sailing competition. I thank him deeply for the time and effort he gave to each of my chapters.
Many thanks to Scott McBride who, over the past two years as the manuscript took form, read my story and provided enthusiastic support. His questions were always thought provoking, and his positive input encouraging.
During our extensive research trips, we often were joined by family and friends. On one such trip to the Garibaldi Maritime Museum, I am grateful to my cousin Lori Olson, for pointing out the work of a fine maritime artist. Visiting this artist’s website, I found the perfect image for the cover of my book. This artist is Gordon Miller. For more information on his outstanding work, go to www.gordonmiller.ca . He is a fine artist of the tall ships of yesterday.
My story editor, Judith Myers, has helped me with all three of my novels. She has a magic touch with our language and is a joy to work with. One way or another, her changes and suggestions always made the read much better. Judy is one of my biggest fans and has given me new insights into the power of the written word.
My appreciation also goes to Gary Adams, an award winning writer and author of the new book, Felicity . As a friend and fellow writer, his input and insight was invaluable.
To Commander Rick Jacobson, who keeps me ‘real,’ and his brave wife, Gayle, and to all my other family and friends for their kindness, support and good wishes… I thank you all.
Tess has always been the first to read my story before it goes to edit. Over the months-turned-to years of my writing, we’ve had long and spirited conversations about my storyline, the characters and the pace of the plot. Her constructive feedback kept me focused, and her heartfelt enthusiasm kept me hopeful. As always, I am grateful for her non-stop encouragement and unwavering support.
Having expressed my gratitude to all those who helped me with this project, it is still my name on the title page, and I am responsible and accountable for every word.
 


 
 
Many Thanks to the Staff, Volunteers and Historians at:
Alsea Bay Interpretive Center
Burrows House Museum
Cape Mears State Park, Octopus Tree
Columbia River Maritime Museum
Clatsop County Historical Society
Fort Stevens State Park and Museum
Garibaldi Maritime Museum
Lewis & Clark National Historical Park at Fort Clatsop
Oregon Coast History Center
Seaside Library
Seaside Historical Society Museum
Siuslaw Pioneer Museum
Tillamook County Library
Tillamook County Pioneer Museum
Umpqua Discovery Center
 
Chapter One: The Winds of Change


THE EAGLE’S LOUD CRY WAS DEFIANT as it swooped down with outstretched talons to begin the struggle of the American Revolution. But the first clamors of the Great War were not cannon or musket balls: they were words. Stirring words, like those from Patrick Henry in 1775, who denounced the British rule by saying, "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."
With these words, and thousands more like them, the dark shroud of war draped over the colonies . When the dove of peace next reappeared, some six years later, colonial America was no more. With the English royal yoke removed, the colonies rose from the ashes as the thirteen independent States of America. These States were as different and uncommon as the nearly three million people who inhabited the land. Each State, each region, each person looked to the future with optimistic determination. It was now time for prosperity, exploration and expansion. There would be no seas too vast, no mountains too high, or rivers too deep to stop this march forward. The sleeping giant of the United States was awakening to its future and all that it might hold.
This promise of a better life was made by ordinary people who had bold visions, courageous convictions and faith of purpose. These God-fearing individuals had survived the crown and the costly years of the war of independence, and now they were determined to thrive and rise. This belief in a divine destiny was found in every hamlet, every town, every state, but nowhere more so than in Massachusetts and her bustling seaport of Boston in 1787.
WHARF RATS


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