by Rosemary Ehlers
The first week of sailing ended with sunny and clear weather, with a cloudless blue sky and clear blue-green water. The next morning, everyone woke up to a cloudy gray sky and dark, restless waters. The sun barely broke through, making it dim and dark.
"Something not good is going to happen," said Captain Christopher Jones. "Definitely, not good."
The next day dawned bright and sunny and perfect, except for the restlessness of the waters and the stillness of the wind. Something was wrong.
About midday, the breeze picked up to a high wind and everybody was ordered off the deck. As a sailor looked west he saw billowing black clouds and dangerous waves under them. A flash of light make him holler.
"A thunderstorm! A real bad thunderstorm!"
Everybody just barely got down off the deck before the ship started rolling and tossing dangerously on the waves. It was a storm that would last for the next four weeks!