The Emerald Key

CHAPTER 4





The storm slowly slid to the east and the stricken ship entered calmer waters, allowing a celebration dinner in the captain’s quarters to take place later on that evening. Officer Keates enjoyed retelling the story of the way Jamie had used an ancient Greek formula to help save the ship from going down to Davy Jones’s locker. Captain O’Malley, in full formal attire, nodded appreciatively at the young man and then raised his glass of wine in Jamie’s honour.

“To Jamie Galway. Consider yourself an honourary member of my crew.”

The rest of the officers joined in and raised their glasses. “Here! Here!”

“This meal is more than thanks enough,” Jamie said, smiling, while shaking a drumstick in one hand. “I haven’t had a meal this good in months.”

Captain O’Malley smiled. “I’ll be sure to send your compliments to the cook. Now, tell us why you’re making the long crossing to Canada?”

The question made Jamie’s appetite waver. He put the drumstick back on the plate. “I’m heading to Canada to search for my brother. Two weeks ago, he was beaten and knocked unconscious in a skirmish outside of Cork. He was then thrown onto the Carpathia, which set sail for Canada before I could rescue him. I’m hoping to catch up with him in Quebec City and bring him home.”

The officers gave one another a knowing glance. Captain O’Malley cleared his throat.

“I’m sorry to hear that your brother is aboard the Carpathia. It’s one of the ships that have given the rest of our transatlantic vessels a very bad name. I can promise you that we will do everything in our power to travel at best speed to Quebec City.”


For the next four days, Jamie concentrated on his books in order to learn every little detail that might make the difference in finding his brother upon arrival in Canada. Jamie’s only break in his studies came when a purser, compliments of the captain, brought a hot meal to his cabin three times a day.

Jamie couldn’t help but think how Canada’s political situation was actually quite similar to the one he had just left in Ireland. Great Britain was the controlling power in a country in which only a small portion of the population was actually English. Were the people living in Canada being treated as poorly by the British government as were the people of Ireland? Did Canadians also dream of one day ruling their own land?

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at his door.

“Come in.”

Officer Keates stepped through the doorway. His sombre expression immediately told Jamie something was wrong.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, Mr. Galway.”

Jamie pushed away the maps and books. “What’s wrong?”

“The Independence is once again in trouble.”

Jamie stood up, alarmed. “Why? What has happened?”

“A severe outbreak of typhoid fever has occurred among the fourth-class passengers. It has spread rapidly, and it’s affecting a significant number of our crew. Many are now too ill to work on deck.”

“I’m not a doctor,” replied Jamie. “I’m not sure how I can help.”

“Actually, the captain was wondering if you could lend us a healthy hand in running the ship. He is willing to pay you time and a half for your efforts.”

“You want me to be a sailor?” asked Jamie, incredulously. “But this is the first time I have ever set foot on a ship!”

Officer Keates smiled. “I understand, but you seem to be well-educated and a quick learner. Plus, the captain said that we will only be able to continue at half sails as there is no longer the required number of crew to properly man the rigging. It might add another three days to our crossing time. One more person on deck might be the difference in allowing us to continue at full sail.”

Jamie didn’t hesitate. He stood up and saluted Officer Keates.

“Seaman Galway reporting for duty, sir.”


When Officer Keates found out that Jamie had an intricate knowledge of knot-making from his days of working in the family mill, a mischievous grin crinkled his weathered cheeks. He asked Jamie if he had a fear of heights. Soon after, Jamie was high up in the ocean breeze, climbing the masts and yardarms of the ship. He was taught how to trim and reef the sails at the captain’s command. He also learned how to secure the sails by lashing them down with ropes if the winds became too strong.

Jamie would never admit it to his new friend Officer Keates, but he was actually starting to enjoy himself high above the swells of the North Atlantic. Up on the mast, the deep blue horizon stretched out before him in all directions, giving Jamie a feeling of vastness that he had never experienced back on land. He also enjoyed how the fresh ocean air invigorated his exhausted mind.

Nighttime was even more spectacular. During his short breaks, he would simply lie back on the thick yardarm and take in the spectacular view of the starry sky above, counting the shooting stars and wondering if Ryan was staring up into the same sky with him at that very moment.

One night, as Jamie looked up to the black canopy of the night sky, his thoughts were suddenly shattered by a grief-stricken wail. He rolled into a sitting position and watched six crewmen carry out a wooden platform. On top of the platform were the outlines of two bodies covered in a single white cloth. Following behind was a distraught woman, a young girl, and the ship’s chaplain. The strong ocean breeze rippled the thin, white cloth as the crew lined up the two bodies with the edge of the ship’s rail. The young chaplain said a few quiet words, then nodded to the sailors. The woman collapsed to her knees as the sailors tipped their load, and two bodies, most likely a father and son, fell away and disappeared into the inky darkness of the waves.

Jamie closed his eyes and said a prayer for the family, both living and deceased. He had already lost count of the number of bodies he had witnessed go over the side of the ship. How many more would die before they reached Canada? He looked west, beyond the bow of the mighty sailing ship. The unending darkness made it feel as if they were sailing toward a dream, never in view and always just beyond their reach.

A sharp whistle caught his attention. Officer Keates was waving for him to come down. It was the end of his shift.

Jamie crawled along the yardarm and then slid down the ropes to the deck below. Officer Keates waited for him as a lad even younger than Jamie scurried up the opposite side of the mast to take his place among the sails.

“That’s good work you’re doing up there, Jamie,” said the officer. “If you’re ever in need of employment, we’ll always have a place for you on board the Independence.”

Jamie smiled. “Thank you, sir, but I still prefer my feet to be on solid ground.”

“Now that your shift is over, why don’t you head to the officer’s mess and grab a bite to eat? Cook has whipped up a decent stew.”

Jamie nodded, although his appetite disappeared as another covered body was brought up on deck, followed by the sobs of another tortured family. The ashen-faced young mother, with her young son in hand, followed the procession to the railing. Officer Keates and Jamie moved aside to allow the body to pass. A gust of wind caught hold of the fluttering white sheet and blew it sideways, exposing the face of the latest typhoid victim. Jamie shook his head in dismay.

“Not Brendan too … ”

“Did you know him?” asked Officer Keates.

“We boarded the ship together. He was the one who waved to us below decks.”

“Well then, you should know that their older son and daughter also passed away earlier this week.”

Jamie looked at the officer, stunned, then to the wife at the railing. “And Erin, the mother, how is she?”

They stared at the young mother gently touching her husband’s cheek one last time. “She’s sick, as well, but not as bad as some. With a bit of luck, she might make it across to Canada.”

Jamie looked at the officer, and then back to Erin. “I need to ask a favour.”

“Anything. We owe you more than you know.”

“I want Erin and her remaining child to have my berth in second class. It must be unbearable for her to remain in the same berth that has taken the lives of her husband and two other children.”

Officer Keates nodded grimly. “I understand your feelings, but we have to consider the health of the other passengers, including yourself.”

“I’m willing to sleep anywhere, even out on deck.”

“I don’t think that will be necessary. Perhaps the captain will bend the rules if you are willing to accept one condition. The woman and child must be kept under quarantine.”

“Agreed.”

“As well, she won’t be able to access purser services for food or assistance. We can’t afford any more sickness among the crew.”

Erin wrapped her son in her arms as her husband disappeared over the railing.

“I’m sure that she will agree to the quarantine. And I will look after them myself between shifts on deck.”

“Then you must take precautions for your own health. Typhoid is contagious.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.”

“So are they friends or family?”

“I’ve never met them before in my life.”

“They’re strangers?” Keates looked at him strangely, then shrugged. “I was going to offer you the extra cot next to mine, but I know the other officers would object to such arrangements once they learn you that are regularly visiting someone under typhoid quarantine. I’m afraid a sailor’s cot is the only accommodation I can offer you.”

Jamie shook his friend’s hand. “That’s more than a generous offer.”